I took my pastor ice fishing at Fish Pond (Windsor Lake) in North Adams today, from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.
It started cloudy and cold (about 10 degrees) during the morning and later started snowing steadily in the afternoon.
I was surprised how poor the quantity (3" to 4") and quality (slushy) of the ice was given the cold temps we've been having during the last week.
I guess I failed to adequately account for the "blanket" effect of the snow cover (about 3" or so in most spots).
Although a seasoned fisherman, my pastor had never been ice fishing before, but took to it like a pro.
We did OK but not great - - a mix of bass, crappie, pickerel and (mostly) perch on a combination of tip ups, dead sticks and jigging.
Neither the numbers nor the size of the fish were terribly impressive, but they were all at least decent sized, without a dink in the bunch.
I also brought my "chuck wagon" along so we had a hot lunch - - portabello pork ole, green beans, corn bread, beer (for me), wine (for my pastor), fruit (apple/clementine), and a pot of hot coffee.
There were a few other fishermen while we were there who generally seemed to be doing about the same as us - - although I did talk to one guy who fished closer to the "beach house" shore and evidently caught at least a few rainbows.
Tomorrow, I'm off to Ashmere to fish with a different group of friends. Wish me luck!
