Praying for Ice

[whiptail]

Boy I've been praying for ice any one else out feeling like me.

[SpitzoMT]

X2

[albo]

sure have, been buying jigs and new line for the rods, cleaning up the gear and getting it ready to load into the truck.

[jigging the dream]

It can't get here fast enuff!

[Fillet]

What are some lakes that are the first to freeze? High lakes in the mountains? Sometimes there are inversions and the sun has more of an effect up high! I might have to start exploring in a couple of weeks. I've got the itch!

[albo]

Georgetown lake out of Anaconda and Hyalite south of Bozeman

[Chris338378]

I'm with you guys.  Oh Ice Gods please bless us with safe fishable soon and with your blessing make it a long and prosperous season for all of us.     

[born4theoutdoors]

Starting to get the gear ready.

[NordicJigger]

I've been ready. As soon as I have to wear a jacket when fishing open water, it might as well freeze over so I can get my side by side to some favorite fishing holes.

[slickice]

Got my elk out of the way . . . now I'm gearing up for hardwater.  Ordered some jigs today, finished my design for an automatic jigging machine last month and I'm chomping at the bit.  C'mon cold weather!  The "eyes" are waiting for me at Nelson and the perch are hungry on C.F.  I'll post a video of my computer operated jigging machine within a few weeks. 

[missoulafish]

Slickice, what you shoot?

[slickice]

Elk from my ranch w/300 Mag.  Hanging in my cooler @ 37 degrees. 

[grizzlyhackle]

Super jealous, I'm sure you boys will be on the ice soon - especially before us flatlanders 

[missoulafish]

Excellent:) mines in the freezer too. Leaves more time to fish;)

[NordicJigger]

Good job on the big game, guys. My freezers are overflowing with wild game. I'd better get busy eating to make room for fish.

[MTangler]

Its a good sign when things start heating up in here

[Strippnthedream]

Can't wait, just the other nite I fell asleep in the chair n I was a waken by my wife laughing, I asked what was so funny n she could barley get out I think u where fishing in your sleep. She said I think you where jigging. Well it's official I'm addicted n I've got the case of sleep jigging. Can't wait 2 get on the ice for group therapy.

[hi_tail]

Funny, I looked out the window this morning to see frozen fog.  Now that I have a few tags punched, the first thing I thought of was how the ice couldn't get here soon enough!  I hope we are in for the Super Mega Arctic Tsunamicane Blastsicle (or whatever they called it last year) again!     

[missoulafish]

Lol!!! What is up with the polar vortex anyway? Since when did that become a "thing" ? I've always just called it winter!!

[SpitzoMT]

It's coming boys !!

[hi_tail]

Missoulafish-
Polar Vortex, that's it haha.  I was close enough for you to know what I was talking about anyhow. 
Sounds more technical and hardcore than "winter" ... guess I will need to tweak a few things on my shanty to make it a bit more hardcore, perhaps morph it into a mobile polar vortex fallout response bunker with ice gear caddying option installed.  Maybe even get split screen weather radar for my flasher just so I can see what is going on outside the bunker, ya know instead of agonizingly tugging on the velcro window and all.  That kind of labor intensive observation is for Vortex-Deniers.
 

[strgon84]

how long with these temps does it typically take to form good enough ice to fish on. just gettin ancy. the 7 day lookin pretty good for temps.

[gso12]

  it wont be long now it was 12 degrees when i woke up.  Few more days of this and its ON!!!

[bquick]

how long with these temps does it typically take to form good enough ice to fish on. just gettin ancy. the 7 day lookin pretty good for temps.

Too many variables at play and temps are only a part of the battle.  Check out the Montana Ice Fishing Conditions for each lake that you are interested in to see how each one is coming along.  I fish about 12 different places and each one is unique and a few fluctuate daily going from fishable one day to dangerous the next even with consistently low temps.  When in doubt, please play it safe.  Have a great year!

[NordicJigger]

X2

Too many variables at play and temps are only a part of the battle.  Check out the Montana Ice Fishing Conditions for each lake that you are interested in to see how each one is coming along.  I fish about 12 different places and each one is unique and a few fluctuate daily going from fishable one day to dangerous the next even with consistently low temps.  When in doubt, please play it safe.  Have a great year!

[slickice]

So here it is.  Built my first prototype of an automatic jigging machine over the past 2 days (JIGALO).  Holy crap!  This thing is awesome.  It's battery powered, fits into an ammo can, and is controlled by a mini computer which means I can dictate any  jig sequence I choose, then repeat it . . . or change as desired.  Can't wait for ice-up.  I can picture four of my lip-ripper tip-ups spread out while the "JIGALO" sits next to me as I jig a traditionally rod.  This aught to be a killer set up for "eyes" on the Montana Highline or for perch at CF.  Let the games begin.  I'm stoked for hardwater.   

[BloodShotP]

  Man that light switch flicked quick. 57 yesterday, -8 tonight. Luckily had all my gear prepared way ahead of time. Not.

[grizzlyhackle]

  Man that light switch flicked quick. 57 yesterday, -8 tonight. Luckily had all my gear prepared way ahead of time. Not.

Nice to see you back on the Shanty brother from another mother   

[BigSage]

The puddles are frozen.  Lets Go!!!

[missoulafish]