Willoughby Report, 20180224

[Doublehaul85]

Morning y'all.

Had a great first trip to Willoughby, thanks again to Scott and Dale for showing me the ropes and how to catch trout through the ice. Picked up a 16" rainbow early close to shore, and a 19" laker shortly after in about 20' of water. DRYGaudet showed up with another mutual friend a bit later and showed us how to jig up big fat perch for a few hours. We were on about 12" of ice, decent bit of water all over it. Learned how to shim a shanty the "proper" way (you would have thought we were gov't workers, two guys doing and four "supervising"). I also learned that lakers require a little patience. I think I tried to set the hook too early on a very nice fish. Oh well, live and learn. Looking very forward to getting out there again, I will post pictures if I can figure out how to work this magic picture box.

[koissu]

Sounds like a great day out!

[peteinvermont]

As I get older, I get more satisfaction from a little bit of success on a newly learned skill than I do with a lot of success on something I've been doing forever. 

[fishingidjit]

I always enjoy hitting Willo, fish cooperating or not . The view at the south end is incredible!

[Doublehaul85]

Yeah, need to get down in between the cliffs and beyond, it looked pretty amazing from where we were.

[TRT]

X2 gidget, going to take weds off an fish the full moon at willy

[troutcrazy]

X2 gidget, going to take weds off an fish the full moon at willy

Im NEK bound for a few days this week.  Might see you there!

[keithm87]

Just got home from a short evening trip to willo. We fished the north end I 10-15ft of water from 630-10 and landed 9 burbot and 2 perch. Measured 14 inches of ice with the golden rule. The ice is grey and crappy but still hard. the nils cut it like butter, but there was a truck on when we arrived. I would venture on foot, but not in a car or truck.

[TRT]

Yep, I also measured 14 this morning up the North side. Lakers love full moons.
5 lakers and a small salmon between two of us. One of the nicest days I've
spent on Willy. Bonus was the Barred owl I watched for 5 minutes on the way in
and then 2nd bonus was hearing him/her call back and forth. Breeding season
is Feb for VT owls.

[koissu]

Just got home from a short evening trip to willo. We fished the north end I 10-15ft of water from 630-10 and landed 9 burbot and 2 perch. Measured 14 inches of ice with the golden rule. The ice is grey and crappy but still hard. the nils cut it like butter, but there was a truck on when we arrived. I would venture on foot, but not in a car or truck.

What was the biggest burbot? Never tried for them, was thinking I could go after work and give it a go.

[fishingidjit]

TRT, I'm jealous ,what a nice day to be on the ice !

[jedhead]

That's some cool fishing, was out in my boat in open water in NJ today, would much rather be on the ice any day!

[keithm87]

The biggest burbot was probably 24-25 inches... most were 19-20

[Profish169]

Where is best to fish burbot off the launch or the north end (is that the beach side)

[keithm87]

depends on the day. People have good luck in different places. My buddy I was with tuesday loves the north end in the shallow water about 200 yds from shore, but another buddy caught a bunch right off the boat launch last month. We fished that area 2 weeks back for a weekend with overnight lines and caught 6 total between 3 people, all of them took a bunch of line though and were clearly headed for shallower water up on the shallow by the launch. the ones tuesday of the 9, 4 didnt trip the flag and just sat still.

[troutcrazy]

I caught 3 burbot jigging last night in 72' on the south end.   3 in a row, as soon as I started fishing for them after dark, and as fast as I could get my jig down.  Then nothing.  I'd also bet they went shallower.

The lakers up there sure are beautiful.  Didn't catch many smelt-- just enough for bait.