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Massachusetts => Ice Fishing Massachusetts => Topic started by: Jschumacher on Mar 01, 2018, 06:42 PM

Title: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jschumacher on Mar 01, 2018, 06:42 PM
Group of us made our annual trip to Champlain Feb. 21st thru the 25th. Never a dull moment with the weather up there as we had 60 degrees to the 20's. Rain, wind, sleet and snow. Ice was good when we arrived and not so much by the time we left. Had to lift the wheeler on twice as we broke through trying to get on. Wind one day was about 30mph by the time we called it quits for the day. Fishing was a lot slower this year than years past. It's not all about the fishing but rather the company and friendships on the ice. Great time as usual and Bruce and Joanne at Holiday Harbors made our stay awesome as always. Enjoy the pictures
(https://s6.postimg.cc/jfggrvbf5/20180224_143610.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cc8lc95zh/)
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jschumacher on Mar 01, 2018, 06:53 PM
Ok just making sure I got this. Still getting use to postimage. ;D ;D
(https://s6.postimg.cc/u2a9xara9/20180224_134131.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/833va3afx/)
(https://s6.postimg.cc/9i5fytqyp/20180221_151407.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nol6u21tp/)


(https://s6.postimg.cc/5yji913oh/20180222_092321.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b9yet[url=https://postimg.cc/image/590pwo34t/)qi19/](https://s6.postimg.cc/46qje4clt/20180223_100023.jpg)[/url]
Pat getting in on the action. Actually I think he caught the most fish overall.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/vu38s8kxt/20180221_170311.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dra610p31/)
John with one of his toothies
(https://s6.postimg.cc/6bawf893l/20180221_123222.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t003esqh9/)
This pressure crack was just a narrow crack when we got to it in the morning. Attempted to cross it. ( knowing full well we probably should'nt) ATV made it. The trailer not so much. dropped right through and sat on the frame. Got it out and decide to stay on the right side of  it. As the day went on with the 30mph winds pushing the ice. It looked like this. I think we made the right call to stay on the good side. Most impressive watching that thing form. (https://s6.postimg.cc/dra61273l/20180223_131446.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nbtsnxwfh/)
Wind was so strong it blew my 10' x 6' steel trailer a good 20 feet.  :wacko: :wacko:
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 01, 2018, 07:08 PM
Nice report Jeff!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: THE JIGGER on Mar 01, 2018, 07:26 PM
Great fish ,photos and as usual smile Jeff.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: ICEHOLE on Mar 01, 2018, 07:35 PM
great trip! I wanted to go!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: BeerMe! on Mar 01, 2018, 07:46 PM
Very nice!! Got to get myself up there sometime!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: THE JIGGER on Mar 01, 2018, 08:42 PM
Jeff Is that white camo pack also a hand warmer?
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Ash82 on Mar 01, 2018, 09:31 PM
Great pics!!!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: pmaloney86 on Mar 01, 2018, 09:37 PM
Nice work!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jschumacher on Mar 01, 2018, 10:19 PM
Jeff Is that white camo pack also a hand warmer?
Yes it is.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: SkunkLuvver on Mar 01, 2018, 10:24 PM
Looks like a good time!
I’m 6 days away from my trip... wonder how long a plank we’ll need to bring :(
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: elevatorman on Mar 02, 2018, 04:05 AM
Nice pike!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jonesie925 on Mar 02, 2018, 05:32 AM
Nice job Jeff!! Hockey is finally over this weekend. We were going to head up next weekend,  but I don't want to take the boy up there with the sketchy ice. I'll be watching the reports...if we don't make it we'll be up for smallies soon!
 :tipup: :tipup:
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: moosehunter on Mar 02, 2018, 07:41 AM
good fish there jeff. no bowfin, huh
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: SHaRPS on Mar 02, 2018, 08:30 AM
Good work Jeff.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Bigbellybilly on Mar 02, 2018, 04:38 PM
Nice fish and the pic of ice makes you realize how much it can move through out the day.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lenz on Mar 03, 2018, 08:38 AM
wow, no snow and not much ice.  but looks like some nice fish were caught, nice job gents
burp
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 04, 2018, 07:12 AM
Jeff there is almost no ice in front of Bruce's as of yesterday.  Small sliver with a few guys on it.  About a dozen fishing Carry Bay.  We got on North of Dillenbeck and drilled over a foot but could not get to my normal spots.  Fishing was slow.  Id imagine 1 more warm week and it's over up there.  Found many man eaters.  Old drain holes with a little skim ice.  Ice was terribly honeycombed too, wouldnt hold any water on top. 
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jschumacher on Mar 04, 2018, 09:44 AM
Jeff there is almost no ice in front of Bruce's as of yesterday.  Small sliver with a few guys on it.  About a dozen fishing Carry Bay.  We got on North of Dillenbeck and drilled over a foot but could not get to my normal spots.  Fishing was slow.  Id imagine 1 more warm week and it's over up there.  Found many man eaters.  Old drain holes with a little skim ice.  Ice was terribly honeycombed too, wouldnt hold any water on top.
Thanks Jon. Looks like maybe Maine next weekend. Saw a picture of the access at Carry and it did not look good. A lot of water at the ramp in that little camp ground. I think they are still fishing Cambells with little issues.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: SkunkLuvver on Mar 04, 2018, 09:58 AM
Ugh.. got an email from Bruce this AM describing conditions and at sounds bad.
Looking like we’re gonna have to rethink things.
We emailed on Friday and it sounded okay... things change quick  >:(
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 05, 2018, 04:56 AM
Ugh.. got an email from Bruce this AM describing conditions and at sounds bad.
Looking like we’re gonna have to rethink things.
We emailed on Friday and it sounded okay... things change quick  >:(

I wouldn't bother at this point.  Not up that way at least.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: SkunkLuvver on Mar 05, 2018, 09:40 AM
I wouldn't bother at this point.  Not up that way at least.
Yeah, we canceled with Bruce yesterday (deep sigh)
We were tempted to go anyway but one of our group is new to ice fishing and don’t want him getting his feet wet with conditions like that.. pun intended.
Might end up soaking leftover pike bait somewhere along the oxbow either from shore or yaks.
After all, we got the beer, the bait and the time off so might as well use em.

Thanks again for the ice report.
Stay safe out there if you’re still going.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 05, 2018, 10:11 AM
I am done with up there, 2 weeks ago I was driving all over on 30".  It really took a hit.  If you want I can point you towards lots of ice in NY if you need to scratch that itch.  Let me know and ill pm ya.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: SkunkLuvver on Mar 05, 2018, 11:15 AM
I am done with up there, 2 weeks ago I was driving all over on 30".  It really took a hit.  If you want I can point you towards lots of ice in NY if you need to scratch that itch.  Let me know and ill pm ya.
Actually, I’d really appreciate that.
We’re still fully in ice fishing mode and just not emotionally ready to break out the soft water gear.
Thank you!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 05, 2018, 11:18 AM
I'm in the same boat.  Apparently they are still fishing missquoi bay and with quads according what Jeff was told.  Even so I am avoiding going back up.  The ice was too honey combed for my taste even though I like to push it a little.  Pm on its way.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jschumacher on Mar 05, 2018, 11:21 AM
I'm in the same boat.  Apparently they are still fishing missquoi bay and with quads according what Jeff was told.  Even so I am avoiding going back up.  The ice was too honey combed for my taste even though I like to push it a little.  Pm on its way.
Yup. I was told that at 4pm yesterday afternoon by Gillies wife. I'm not ready for open water just yet
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 05, 2018, 11:59 AM
Yup. I was told that at 4pm yesterday afternoon by Gillies wife. I'm not ready for open water just yet

Sending you a text!  There is a secret land of early and late ice that can be shared!  I cant give in to ooen water fishing yet either.  Addiction is too strong!
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: pmaloney86 on Mar 05, 2018, 02:11 PM
I'm in the same boat.  Apparently they are still fishing missquoi bay and with quads according what Jeff was told.  Even so I am avoiding going back up.  The ice was too honey combed for my taste even though I like to push it a little.  Pm on its way.

They were still out on many of the bays when I drove back yesterday (Carry had a bunch and part of Missisquoi as well).  Fishing after the storm on Saturday was brutal.  We got 2 flags all day and lost a dink at the hole.  There was one group that we saw ice 2 northerns but out of about 100 traps I could see that was the only action.  We fished Sunday for about 3 hours and landed 3 northerns and lost another and jigged up countless tiny perch.  I was out on Kelly Bay and the ice was still at least 12-15 inches but access was sketchy.  I'm sure glad I brought a plank.  There was a floating log and a couple of 6 foot 2x4s that were barely touching the ice.  The EPO waked the plank both days to check on those of us still out fishing.  It was my first time up that way and I'll surely be back.  The fishing wasn't great but I learned a lot about the area and the bay we fished.  I'd like to head back up this weekend but unless they get a cold snap the access will be impossible.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 05, 2018, 02:40 PM
I'm done with up there.  A friend almost died a couple years ago going through 8" of bad ice.  The ice Saturday wouldnt hold a cup of water.  Very dangerous even if its a foot thick.  Sorry we didn't get a chance to fish together Pat.  The one decent fish I had on was lost when the tipup line cut into the bottom of the hole and got stuck....
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: pmaloney86 on Mar 05, 2018, 04:26 PM
I'm done with up there.  A friend almost died a couple years ago going through 8" of bad ice.  The ice Saturday wouldnt hold a cup of water.  Very dangerous even if its a foot thick.  Sorry we didn't get a chance to fish together Pat.  The one decent fish I had on was lost when the tipup line cut into the bottom of the hole and got stuck....

I'm with you.  By sunday the ice had changed drastically from Saturday morning.  I almost got wet at the shore.  I went thru like 8 inches of slush but must have been some black ice on the bottom.  I took my plank with me when i left so I bet there were some that walked the "log" that was floating around.  It was a nice change to see a friendly EPO actually get out and do their job instead of sitting in their nice warm truck.  The gentleman crossed the plank bridge, checked every persons license and bait slip and was on his way.  It was a pleasant experience and something that has NEVER happened to me in MA and I get out almost every weekend.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Damn Yankee on Mar 05, 2018, 06:17 PM
I'm with you.  By sunday the ice had changed drastically from Saturday morning.  I almost got wet at the shore.  I went thru like 8 inches of slush but must have been some black ice on the bottom.  I took my plank with me when i left so I bet there were some that walked the "log" that was floating around.  It was a nice change to see a friendly EPO actually get out and do their job instead of sitting in their nice warm truck.  The gentleman crossed the plank bridge, checked every persons license and bait slip and was on his way.  It was a pleasant experience and something that has NEVER happened to me in MA and I get out almost every weekend.
We fished Great Sacandaga 2 weeks ago and 2 EPO's checked us out. It was free fishing weekend so no licenses needed. They just counted the tip-ups. Very friendly gentlemen. This weekend on Schroon Lake 2 EPO's checked us out and just wanted licenses. Neither checked our bait or receipts.
You almost got the feeling they were told to be nice to the tourists.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: Jschumacher on Mar 05, 2018, 07:50 PM
Pat we fished Kelly Bay for the 1st time when we went up a couple weeks ago. Sunrise to sunset. I had 3 or 4 flags all day only iced 1 Pike there about 6lbs maybe.
Title: Re: Champlain trip 2018
Post by: lowaccord66 on Mar 06, 2018, 05:27 AM
One of the schroon EPO's is a local and is a stand up guy.