Newton/Hyrum on 1/4/2012

[dubob]

And for my first fishing report on this forum . . .   

Two non-forum friends and I went to Beez Cafe in Roy at 6:30 AM for some sustenance prior to heading north to Newton Lake in Cache County Utah.  The breakfast special at $4.99 was Bacon, 2 eggs, hash browns, and choice of pancakes, toast, or scones.  Beverage is additional.  It is a great place to start any adventure with a different breakfast special every day Monday thru Friday.

We arrived at Newton about 8:30 AM and were the first ones on the ice.  We drove down to the ice via the boat launch on the southeast corner.  The edges there were solid and we got on with no problems what so ever.  We headed straight west in search of 40 foot depths and some perch action.  We found 42 feet on the first drill through at least 6 inches of good, clear ice and set up shop.  There were a ton of fish showing in the bottom 6 feet of water and we started throwing lures and bait at them.  Nothing worked.  Dead sticking, jigging; nothing.  Changed lures, changed baits; nothing.  Finally after almost 90 minutes, one dink crappie decided to play.  Then, over the next hour or so, 4 dink perch came to visit.

I decided to try another location and moved even further west.  Still in 40 feet of water and still no takers.  So after about an hour, another move further west.  Again 40 feet of water and no takers.  Very, very slow day.

By now, it’s 12:45 PM and a change of venue is discussed.  We decide to go check out Hyrum for a couple of hours.  When we left, the ice edge was still very solid at the launch and we had no trouble coming off the ice.

We went to the State Park Campground and set out for a couple hundred yards southwest of the boat launch.  The ice edges were solid here as well.  We set up in 15 to 22 feet of water on at least 5 inches of clear ice and found fish cruising the 10 to 15 foot range.  Stayed for about 2.5 hours and caught 9 trout (all bows) in the 10 to 12 inch size.  All in all not too bad.

While we were there, I lone fisherman came riding past us going to the launch on an ATV.  I heard him coming all the way from the inlet area of the lake and he rode right down the middle of the lake.  Even with the worm temperatures we’re having at present, the ice is good enough to support an ATV over the entire lake it would seem.  However, I am not recommending it to anybody at this point; I’m just reporting what I observed.

We packed it in about 5:20 PM and the edges at the launch were still solid.  We headed home and agreed it was a great day to be out on the hard deck.  When I got home, my bride had a very nice pot of elk chili waiting for me.  Does it get any better than this?   

[muskyon46]

Well dobob thats to bad a few more crappies and perch didnt wanna play with you guys. Seems like they are more spread out this year with the higher water levels im guessing or they just hate what im presenting. I've had one trip to willard south marina and one to the view with only 3 perch hooked    i sure hope we get some cooler weather her soon im itchin pretty bad to get my snowmobile on the view and find me some slabs 

[dubob]

. . . im itchin pretty bad to get my snowmobile on the view and find me some slabs

That would make two of us.   

I'm goimg to try fishing off the Cemetary Point beach (south side) tomorrw.  I've been seeing some promising reports on that area of late.

[Dizzy]

Nice report.

Sorry the fish weren't more cooperative... but I really appreciate the breakfast spot info! 

[Duneman101]

That sucks you didn't get into them, newton is a bit of a jaunt from davis county.  Beats sitting at home though.

buzy bee has great food, we always stop there on the way home from duck hunting...

[muskyon46]

X2 on Bees luv the home fries with my eggs

[prospector]

Dubob, you should write a book. Good descriptions on ice, fish and most importantly food! Reminded me of Hack Miller's "looking back with Hack" book...Good read. Later, Joe