Author Topic: I went ice fishing (Read 4229 times)

Forktail · « **on:** Dec 26, 2008, 08:40 PM »

My first day fishing through the ice (ever) was last Friday. The only ice thick enough was in a shallow, secluded bay of Jackson Lake. I caught a few cutthrout in 18 feet of water. Today though, was my first real day ice fishing. I caught my target fish, the mighty mackinaw. The fish I caught were a little less than mighty, but fun stuff all the same. The ice is still pretty sketchy in places. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

jdisci · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 08:43 PM »

Nice job,good fish. Eater? Ice on the roads kept me from getting out today

>:(Man I'm aching!

Bugman1964 · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 08:49 PM »

Mackinaw=Lake Trout=Touge (Maine only) great fish to target during the winter no matter what they are called. Congratulations!!! Keep at it, you're probably hooked now.

Raquettedacker · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 08:54 PM »

Any Trout through the ice is MIGHTY. Nice job.

Forktail · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 08:56 PM »

Quote from: Bugman1964 on Dec 26, 2008, 08:49 PM

Mackinaw=Lake Trout=Touge

=gray trout=forktail

i have enough fillets in the freezer from this summer/fall to last me a while. it was a perfect eating size though.

BottomDweller · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 10:29 PM »

i used to stockpile their meat in my freezer, but over time have decided i much prefer super-fresh laker to old stuff. was the ice flooded from all the snow we've been getting? what depth did you manage to make it out to before the ice got too sketchy? awesome post, buddy - we'll see ya out there

jayswimmer09 · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 10:30 PM »

looks like you had a good first fish through the ice!

squirrel nuts · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 10:32 PM »

nice start to the season

tumbleweed · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 26, 2008, 11:32 PM »

Congratulations! A great way to start a ice fishing career.

Forktail · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 27, 2008, 12:22 AM »

Quote from: BottomDweller on Dec 26, 2008, 10:29 PM

was the ice flooded from all the snow we've been getting? what depth did you manage to make it out to before the ice got too sketchy?

the ice was flooded. there was an inch of snow on slush. i got out to 35 feet of water.

Cargo · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 27, 2008, 08:13 AM »

WTG Forktail

er-e-is · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 27, 2008, 11:06 AM »

Quote from: BottomDweller on Dec 26, 2008, 10:29 PM

i used to stockpile their meat in my freezer, but over time have decided i much prefer super-fresh laker to old stuff. was the ice flooded from all the snow we've been getting? what depth did you manage to make it out to before the ice got too sketchy? awesome post, buddy - we'll see ya out there

I agree about the fresh fish being better, however I found that if I cut my fillets into strips and bread them (egg wash and itallian seasoned bread crumbs) , freeze them on a cookie sheet and then vacuum seal them, they can be dropped into the deep fryer, without thawing, and in a couple of minutes be almost as good as fresh.

FeatherBender · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 27, 2008, 11:40 AM »

Nice start to the season Forktail. You're ahead of me. BD told me someone had tried Phelps already...(you?)...what were the ice conditions?

icefisher-45 · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 27, 2008, 07:39 PM »

Nice job

WYIfish · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 30, 2008, 09:24 AM »

Quote from: Forktail on Dec 26, 2008, 08:40 PM

My first day fishing through the ice (ever) was last Friday. ."...................." I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

So what took you so long?

I agree with other post, ALL fish through the ice are "mighty". Sure beats standing around out in the cold!

Forktail · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 04, 2009, 09:55 PM »

I spent Friday afternoon on Halfmoon Lake, and caught several of its gray fish. They sure do look a lot different then they do in Teton County.

Saturday and Sunday I fished Jackson lake with a buddy. We didn't catch a thing, but it was about as beautiful as it could be. It was 0-10 degrees, but the sun let us go gloveless half the day. Saturday the spud broke in half.

The fish weren't too aggressive but the conditions for mobility were perfect. The main lake was pretty much snowless. The ice ranged from 3-5 inches thick. A great way to spend the weekend.

MountainMan · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 04, 2009, 11:18 PM »

Nice pics. Nice seeing people new to the sport having success!

BottomDweller · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 05, 2009, 06:42 PM »

ForkTail, i was out on the "big pond" on sunday too. no fish here, either, but man, what a pretty day. bluebird. looks like you were down south; i was north. got one bite at 88 fow, but didn't get any purchase.

~

Forktail · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 05, 2009, 09:33 PM »

BD, i had interest at 92 fow on sunday. i got the fish to hit at about 80, but missed the hookset. good day out there anyway.

wyohikeit · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 06, 2009, 08:49 PM »

Yep they all look good to me!
I have been putting a lot of lakers on the ice at Buffalo Bill in the last two weeks between wind storms.
Now the ice is bad

I put some pics on a new thread --- Buffalo Bill

Forktail · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 06, 2009, 09:20 PM »

take some photos Wyohikeit. i/we would love to see them.

Forktail · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 11, 2009, 10:54 PM »

I'm not winning any points for Team Wyo, but the fish do seem to be getting bigger in the "big pond".

forktail

BottomDweller · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 06:19 PM »

keep it up, FT; maybe you'll get into something big - they're in there... you're taking your iceshanty card and ruler w/ you, right?

Forktail · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 08:06 PM »

Of course!

BottomDweller · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 09:10 PM »

if i ever see you out there, i'll come out and say hello. you should do the same. i drive a red 2004 f150 or a blue/green '93 subaru impreza. did you get your spudbar fixed, yet?

FeatherBender · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 10:16 PM »

FT, you look somewhat concerned in that photo

. Like BD says, they're in there...he speaks from experience...me, just from rumor!!

Forktail · « **Reply #26 on:** Feb 03, 2009, 11:09 PM »

So I've been doing some more ice fishing lately.

A lot in fact. I have the privilege of being temporarily unemployed, at a point in my life when I can take advantage of it, and go fishing. I've been spending most days on Jackson Lake.

I've been catching a lot of fish. At this point though they still all look the same. I have yet to break 3 pounds.

I did have the pleasure of fishing with two guys you may have heard of around here. BottomDweller, FeatherBender and I caught a mess of 2 pound lakers on Saturday (plus BD's brookie). Good times with good people.

BD

FB

One of these days I'll have the memories (and pictures) of catching a big fish. It's not that reeling in the average mack isn't better than a day doing just about anything else (IMO)..... but my family and friends are starting to think something is wrong with me.

Cargo · « **Reply #27 on:** Feb 04, 2009, 08:21 AM »

Forktail,
First great pic's. You got what I would call the FEVER!

When I am not catching fish, I fish even more and harder. My wife thinks I am crazy no fish 3 or 4 times out and I go more. A fisherman is a Jerk waiting for a Jerk on the other end of the rod and the bigger the Jerk the better. Good luck and I hope you smack the big one. BI

spudbar · « **Reply #28 on:** Feb 04, 2009, 11:53 AM »

nice pictures Forktail. How is the ice at the back country honey hole?

Forktail · « **Reply #29 on:** Feb 04, 2009, 06:34 PM »

yeah, i got the fever BI. i can honestly say i have woken up three mornings this last week and realized i had been dreaming about jigging.
the ice is good Spud. some places it's still pretty thin. nowhere did it feel unsafe.

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Author Topic: I went ice fishing (Read 4229 times)