Help Getting Some Noobs on Fish

[trout_hunter]

So being relatively new to the area but having ice fished a bunch I don't mind having a slow day or even the occasional skunk. The problem I have is that I have a couple of AZ co workers in town that really want to try out ice fishing while they are up on my project. 11 Mile and Antero have the chance of big fish but not very good catch rates, and what I am looking for is catch rate for these guys. Ive thought about doing Taryall or Skagit but haven't fished either of them through the ice, are they good places to take noobs who just want to catch something and could care less about size? We are based out of the springs so would like to keep it under a couple hour drive.

Any help or direction would be a huge help.

Thanks in advance TH.

[skifisher]

Try Manitou Lake outside of Woodland Park, Evergreen or DeWeese Reservoir in Westcliff. Good Fishing!
Ski

[Bigassbassman]

X2 for Evergreen.  Tons of stockers this year, you can't go wrong.  Park right across hwy 74 and fish anywhere in the lake.  Good luck!

[Cub Fan 719]

I was in your same boat a few weeks ago. Took a group of newbs to Skagway. Between 8 of us we caught and released more than 50 fish. Location really didn't seem to matter. Tons of stockers everywhere. Even managed a few pike. Mile and Antero both produce the big fish, but both have been really slow lately. Good luck and tight lines!

[trout_hunter]

Thanks for the replys. I think we are going to head to Skagway and give it a go, hopefully finding the right depth wont take too much work tomorrow.

[trout_hunter]

Well made it up there just a little late not knowing drive times, we caught 8 trout and 1 small 12" pike. Pike was a first for me. Was tough for the az o worker, couldn't get him fish. Fishing in a hut so holes 5' apart, same jig, same type of meal worm, same line even and they wouldn't touch his but would hit mine every time. Even went so far as switching rods and doing an out loud jigging count to get the same presentation and still couldn't get him a hit. Weird day but he was stoked on it said ice fishing is nothing like he thought it would be..... May have another person hooked on the hard deck!

[lefty2053]

Did you trade holes? Sometimes just 2 feet is all the difference in the world.

[trout_hunter]

Yup traded holes. Was the same issue when we moved shallower. Just couldn't get the dude hooked up.

[lefty2053]

Trading holes and rods is one thing,but did he bait his own hook? Reason I asked is if he did is there a chance he had eaten an orange the night before or any other citrus? I was told years ago never eat anything citrus the night before because it gets into your pores and fish smell it. Also if you fill up your car and get gas on your hands is bad. Or just about any petroleum products. These are just some helpful things to know and teach others. Maybe your friend did one of these things the night before.

[trout_hunter]

Trading holes and rods is one thing,but did he bait his own hook? Reason I asked is if he did is there a chance he had eaten an orange the night before or any other citrus? I was told years ago never eat anything citrus the night before because it gets into your pores and fish smell it. Also if you fill up your car and get gas on your hands is bad. Or just about any petroleum products. These are just some helpful things to know and teach others. Maybe your friend did one of these things the night before.

I thought of that also, since I have seen that happen with rapalas and nymphs so I even put the grubs on myself.  Trust me when I say I tried to cover every base trying to figure out what the difference maker was.

[lefty2053]

In that case, it is just bad luck. Don't take him anymore. It might rub off on you.