IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community

Nebraska => Ice Fishing Nebraska => Topic started by: hardh2ofish on Sep 26, 2006, 11:57 AM

Title: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Sep 26, 2006, 11:57 AM
Man am I ready for the water to get hard.  I only got out the long poles about 5 times this summer and Im ready to get out and walk on water.  Temps got down to 27 degrees here last week, had to cover my tomatos.  A pesky deer ate them off a couple times and are just now making red tomatos.  Would give them all up to go ice fishing though.  Went to take pics of everything out at Merrit while the water was low in the hopes it will help me find good fishin holes this winter,  Lakes coming up though and should have done it a couple weeks ago when I was out, there was more to see then.  Well, heres hoping for cold temps and SAFE hard water to all this winter.    GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: fred baumann on Sep 27, 2006, 05:40 PM

 READY ? READY YOU SAY?
 gosh i've been waiting nearly two years, now. we didn't have SAFE ice last winter. unless you want to call cautiously creeping a mere 10 yards off the end of the boat dock for one hour last december, "ice fishing".  have four new rods + a box of ice jigs collecting dust in the bottom of my "GUIDE".
 so . . . . here's hoping that we all get so SICK & TIRED of ice fishing this winter that we actually look forward to open water again.
fred baumann
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hawgerdawger on Sep 28, 2006, 09:53 PM
I think the fact that we are looking at this site in September answers your question. Yes, we're ready!

Sure is nice to see some other Nebraskans on here!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Sep 29, 2006, 10:30 AM
Im glad this site is here, so I can communicate w/ other ice nuts.  Hate going through these cravings all alone.   ;)  Man thats too bad you only got out once on account of thin ice Fred.  We had pretty good ice up here but like many last winter all over the country,  our season was cut short as well.  Thank God for the little ponds we have up here on the "Rez"  we got some more late season fishing in when all the other water was wide open.  Some reason theres two or three down in the canyons that dont like to open up   ;D  Great panfishin with some pike thrown in,  Well heres to waitin and wantin!!!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: Mainehazmt on Sep 29, 2006, 11:24 AM
In some ways I am  :) addition to the shack  done 1st painting done! insulation almost done wireing almost done   need to add 1 window  alas   (Have all the materials too!)  just work on trailer to get the shack there,  slowing me up major   :o  prob end up having to borrow a trailer again this year.  I gotta nice cardolly to trade for snowmobile trailer   lol
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: R.J. on Oct 13, 2006, 11:18 PM
I am so totally ready for ice fishing!  I come to Neb several times every winter from CO to ice fish.  Anybody want to get together and fish, let me know!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: fishingking on Oct 13, 2006, 11:36 PM
as soon as the ice leaves in Late March I am already thinking about next years icefishing season. SUmmer time is just  time off from fishing to let the fishies grow nice and fat for the following ice season :)
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: 1TIGGER on Oct 14, 2006, 06:47 PM
Nice to see the Nebraska members starting to wind up too !
I myself used to be from there and boy do I miss Valentine refuge lakes !
Used to hit Sherman Dam a lot too but only because it was close to where I lived .
Merrit and Box Bute resivoir were my favorites for the bigger lakes and Twin lakes by Pleasant Dale along with Bassway Strip by Kearney were my small lake favorites .
The refuge lakes in Valentine were my all time favorites though .
If any of you are close to Kearney look up hookemandkookem I'm sure if he is able to get away he'll go with ya .
Good luck to all this hard water season and safe ice to all !!!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: piscesman on Oct 14, 2006, 08:04 PM
Can't wait for hard water!!!!!!! Bought an ATV. Built a sled for behind it. Bought a new power auger, Dick's end-of-season last May. More new Tip-Ups. Portable shanty. New heaters and found a nice old single burner Coleman type stove. New ice cleats to keep off the ice *ss first. Heck I even built a shed for the ATV. Wife has the garage for her car. Who wants to tackle that after the stuff I was able to get. Now all I need is HARD WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Kim      :tipup: :tipup: :tipup: :tipup: :tipup: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :woot: :woot: :woot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hookemandcookem on Oct 14, 2006, 10:32 PM
Hello all.....its great to see other Nebraska members on here. All of last year it seemed I was the only one on here.
Anyone planning a trip this winter, let me know and we can hook up.

Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: 1TIGGER on Oct 14, 2006, 11:13 PM
Come on HUSKERS ...I know there's more of you out there !
Sandbilly will be on soon and he'll help you guy's in north central Nebraska .
He's a good guy and I'm sure he will be willing to share what he can .
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Oct 16, 2006, 11:20 AM
Man its so great to see everyone on here waitin for first ice!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
   Hey 1TIGGER  I dont think wound up accurately describes it.  Im so wound up I might not be able to untie myself .  I think most of my gear is somewhat still in place, only I did get a bucket poles and assorted gear on a garage sale this summer that I havnt got around too yet and I want to restring them yet.  Also I better fire up the auger just to make sure.  And there will be the last minute jig purchases Im sure Ill make on the way out of town  and and and   AND WHERES THE D**N ICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: fishincrazy on Oct 16, 2006, 11:21 AM
I've been ready since june ;D
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Oct 17, 2006, 10:25 AM
Talked to a buddy of mine last night and he thought if we slid some planks ans a sheet of plywood out there we might be able to drill some holes.


He also declined to tag along to be the first one out on it :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: jaymzthefisher on Oct 17, 2006, 10:11 PM
Hey RJ

you know I will always be ready to hook up with you to walk on the hard stuff!!! supposed to get in the teens here tonight.

Jaymz
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: mistertwister on Oct 18, 2006, 03:44 PM
as soon as the golf season is pretty much over with here in NY, i'm waiting....i got the fever now.. :tipup: :tipup:
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: walleye4 on Oct 25, 2006, 12:49 AM
I'm HEREEEEEEEEEE!

Long time NO see! :D

Hope we see some ice this winter.  Only made it out 2 times last season.  Will have the new shanty ready, some new rods made, and the auger gased up. 

Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Oct 25, 2006, 11:11 AM
hey Walleye4    I think Ive got jig-n-itis too    But is it really deadly to humans?  Or is it just really really CATCHY? ;)
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: frozen1 on Nov 02, 2006, 11:40 AM
I am ready!!!
(http://www.sharemation.com/frozen1/moonrise.jpg?uniq=-hwhcaf)

I have never ice fished Elwood before, but I sure am going to give it a try this year!

Greg, If the ice gets safe in KS - are you ready?
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: 1TIGGER on Nov 02, 2006, 10:35 PM
You should give Twin Lakes by Pleasant Dale a try !
They produce some nice fish . Not to mention they are way overlooked and get very little ice fishing pressure .
Used to fish there a lot when I lived in the CORNHUSKER state !


GO  HUSKERS !!!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: IcePro on Nov 02, 2006, 10:46 PM
I am ready....

I had the lawn service blow out my sprinkler system and the back flow valve was froze.

Checked the garden pond and it was frozen over.  I guess it is time to put the heater in the pond to keep the gold fish alive.

The travel trailer is being winterized this weekend and put into storeage so my wheeled fish house can be brought home.  (This will be my dog house until I can pull it onto the lake)

The earliest I have been out Ice Fishing is the second weekend in November, the time is near.

Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hawgerdawger on Nov 03, 2006, 10:17 AM
My wife finally chewed my butt yesterday for cheering on the cold temps. We got down to 7 F in Chadron. After seeing the temp on the Weather Channel, I let out a couple whoops and hollers. It didn't take her long to say, "If I have to listen to this crap between now and December 31st, I'm going to kick your @ss."
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: jigbounce on Nov 03, 2006, 12:54 PM
Woweee wow wow!!  I can't believe this many people on the Nebraska forum already this year!  I just hope we have a stedy cold season this time.  Last year came on strong then the weather went south,  er should I say the south weather came here until the end of the season. 
   Hawgerdawger that's funny.  I can just imagine the look on your wifes face :( when you started cheering :o lol.

Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 04, 2006, 10:32 AM
Yippee for those cold  cold mornings ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D   got down to 5 degrees here  in Valentine this last week and almost as cold a few other mornings as well.  Makes me want to try a hand auger and a couple jig poles down ina couple canyon ponds.  But I think its supposed to warm up here again this next week :'(     Man I just dont know how much more of this waitin I can take
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hookemandcookem on Nov 06, 2006, 12:24 AM
WOW!!! 5 Degrees?! PLEASE let me know when you have enough to safely fish. I havent gone Ice fishin for at least 4 years and I have an itch I have to scratch this year.


Yippee for those cold  cold mornings ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D   got down to 5 degrees here  in Valentine this last week and almost as cold a few other mornings as well.  Makes me want to try a hand auger and a couple jig poles down ina couple canyon ponds.  But I think its supposed to warm up here again this next week :'(     Man I just dont know how much more of this waitin I can take
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: Muskie Nut on Nov 06, 2006, 01:54 AM
I am VERY ready for hard water.  Had my auger tuned up in early October.  Finished the modifications to my shanty at the end of August.  Now I'm getting the tip ups ready and picking up some odds and ends for the tackle.  ;D  :tipup:
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: walleye4 on Nov 06, 2006, 10:36 AM
I'm ready Chad!  Bring on the ice.............And yes, if KS gets some hard stuff, I"LL BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :tipup:
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: TGF on Nov 06, 2006, 10:51 AM
Do flies circle the poop pile :wacko:

I'm on this afternoon ;D
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 06, 2006, 01:19 PM
Man Im glad your gettin on this afternoon.  PLEEEEEEAAAAASE give us a report as all we can do is live vicariously through you.  Want to hear a good story and maybe some pics please.     

Wont be long and we will be walkin on it to.   Nighttime temps to be down in the teens next week.  But i know weve got some time to wait.  Guess ill go shoot some pheasants in the meantime.
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: TGF on Nov 07, 2006, 12:25 AM
Snow was too deep to drive down too. I drove by it but stopped on the highway and took a pic. I didn't have enough time to fish anyway. Just wanted some pictures for you guys.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/terrygonefishing/a1-6.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/terrygonefishing/a2-5.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 07, 2006, 09:42 AM
WOW  What a beautiful place and a great site to see.  I could run down there and give that ice a big ol'  :-*.  Is that place off a main road or is it back in a ways.  I love those places where its quiet and you dont have a bunch of traffic drivin by all time.
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: TGF on Nov 07, 2006, 10:17 AM
That is one of our pothole lakes that is at low elevation and usually freezes up first. It is right beside a major highway. It is usually plowed but not straight down the hill directly in front of picture but the road comes in more from the left.
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: FISHLIPS on Nov 07, 2006, 03:10 PM
Sure am last year here in Vermont the lake was a little scetchy for ice
I am updating my shanty for the long winter, if we have good luck the ice will freeze the first week of Dec
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 07, 2006, 05:12 PM
Well I was up across the state line today TGF.  We have a hole that kinda resembles yours.  Its about a mile back into this canyon and your pics kinda reminded me of there. With all the ponderosa pines and such.  Only  our temps here were near 80's :'(   There was no snow and dang sure wasn't any ICE.  But it's sucha neat place, I just like to go there once in a while.  Good for the soul kinda place :)
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: 1TIGGER on Nov 08, 2006, 07:12 AM
Looks like a great place to jump a trophy mule buck and chase a few coyotes !
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: dsmatuska on Nov 08, 2006, 07:58 AM
I am ready....

I had the lawn service blow out my sprinkler system and the back flow valve was froze.

Checked the garden pond and it was frozen over.  I guess it is time to put the heater in the pond to keep the gold fish alive.

The travel trailer is being winterized this weekend and put into storeage so my wheeled fish house can be brought home.  (This will be my dog house until I can pull it onto the lake)

The earliest I have been out Ice Fishing is the second weekend in November, the time is near.


You've fished on the second weekend in November...in Minnesota?  What year was that?
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: Sandbilly on Nov 08, 2006, 10:06 AM
We are usually ice fishing by Thanksgiving on smaller sandhill lakes around here. Close to 80 today but we had some ice 3 days ago. Won't be long now. :) 
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 08, 2006, 01:38 PM
The temp is 79 right now get to 81 this afternoon.  high of 56 tomorrow and ten days of below freezing night time temps. It will help our cause,  but we'll probly be lucky to make it by thanksgiving.  Wouldn't be happier though if we were on by then.
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hankthecrank on Nov 12, 2006, 09:12 PM
Heck I'm fishing already............... ....... In my dreams!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 13, 2006, 08:02 PM
Yeah me too Hank.  Its amazing what an awesome night bite of those big northerns goin on here.  All aver 36" and FAT!!! 8)   Wont be long.  Lovin all the posts from up north where they're getin on  already ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Title: Re: Anyone else ready for hard water?
Post by: hardh2ofish on Nov 14, 2006, 12:52 PM
Cant wait for this place to ice over.

[img(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/hardh2ofish/100_0837.jpg)][/img]