Found Ice and Fish!

[walleyeslayer06]

First fish of the year! Stoked to be hitting it back up on Saturday.

It has begun

[Fedexguy]

Truly a AWESOME first post sir! 

[walleyeslayer06]

Thanks! I've been lurking for a few weeks hoping for some reports of first ice.  Decided to go where I thought it might be and find out for myself.  Surprisingly there were some holes from earlier in the week already there.

[stinkyfingers]

Slayer Jr.
Welcome to the Colorado forum. Kindly include your hometown in your profile. Not where you fish, naturally. Leave your lurking days behind. You seem excited. Wouldn't occur to me to use a slip bobber.

[walleyeslayer06]

Profile updated.  Oh I am super excited.  I grew up in Minnesota, hence the walleye slayer user ID.  Common technique for us is to float a slip bobber in one hole, changing depth around as needed (use minnows where allowed, otherwise various other baits), then use a buckshot or other rattlin/water displacing lure to bring fish in to the area, down a second nearby hole.  Tough to watch the spring bobber and other hole simultaneously though, its quite a hoot when you hook 2 at once!

I plan on learning how to fish deep reservoirs this year, as I am more comfortable fishing 20 FOW for crappies, perch and eyes.  But have learned that the big mountain reservoirs stay frozen after everything else has melted.

[stinkyfingers]

Sure got the right idea. The downside to that kind of slip bobber is that on a really cold day the water in the sleeve can freeze solid to your line and no more slip, no more reel in. I use a bobber stop to indicate depth but also use those little clip-on foam jobs that you can cut to length. Don't have the same freeze up issues.

[dntbeamenace4031]

well done Sir.

Ice took a little longer than usual to show up but it seems like its freezing fast now, should be quite a few options this weekend

[missoulafish]

so jealous. Welcome to the page:)

[Bigassbassman]

Welcome to the site!  A wally guy from Minnesota, eh?  There are a few OK options for icing walters, and not very far from Thornton.  Front range ice seems to be on track now, and perhaps even a little early.  Usually by new years the big front range reservoirs have a safe lid.  The Colorado fish atlas is a good way to find locations, with specific species in mind. 

[spnelson21]

Congrats, and welcome. I am hoping to get out on Monday myself if the conditions are right. It's been cold over here, fingers crossed.

[IFF]

BAB Man will be watching CC like a hawk    Maybe even Chatty  Will give you a heads up via PM

For that kind of slip bobber I drill a small hole across the bottom end so the stop is in the water and not having the line coming out the top prevents it freezing up

[walleyeslayer06]

Sure got the right idea. The downside to that kind of slip bobber is that on a really cold day the water in the sleeve can freeze solid to your line and no more slip, no more reel in. I use a bobber stop to indicate depth but also use those little clip-on foam jobs that you can cut to length. Don't have the same freeze up issues.

The good thing is I primarily fish in a shelter, and won't use a bobber if I'm still moving around looking for fish.  So icing up is almost never a problem for me, aside from my great northern trip last year where it was 20 below and windy.

[legend]

IFF, thats a great idea....im going to steal that one. THANKS

[Airman1]

Hey Walleyeslayer06 I to live in Thornton and was wanting to head up next week. I asked my teenage boys both bowed out.  Last year I damaged them by taking them ice fishing in 35 below weather.  Kids today!  I remember walking to school up hill both ways in sub zero weather and with no WiFi.  Anyway,  let me know if you have any interest.  Ice fishing early in the season with a buddy is probably a good idea. 

[walleyeslayer06]

When and where were you thinking?  I think I may have some family obligations on the 10th, which may keep me off the ice the whole weekend (we usually travel and spend the night).  Might be able to get out early Saturday for a half day. 

If not, good to know I have a fellow fisherman for the rest of the season. I found an excellent perch lake and potential walleye lakes in loveland area I am excited to try and can always use a partner.  The dog can't bait her own hook and also drinks all my beer, so sometimes I leave her at home.

[Airman1]

I was thinking Mon or Tuesday.  In terms of location. I think our choices are limited.  Where were you thinking on Saturday?  Yea, I have a dog "Willie the Boxer"  He is pretty cool but totally lame in terms of cold weather.  He's good between 70-88 degrees.  If outside these parameters totally worthless.

[walleyeslayer06]

Bummer, unfortunately working 40 hours a week gets in the way of fishing on Mondays and Tuesdays - unless I plan to take vacation, the rest of 2016s is slated for Christmas.  Still trying to figure out how to not work and still be able to fish all the time - if anyone has figured that out, let me know.

Saturday I wont know till reports on ice come in later next week.  And I'll see how the water I plan to fish tomorrow produces.  I will update accordingly.

[anglure]

great first ice pic !  Good job huntin down the hard water !

[Raquettedacker]

Nice job welcome to the site...

[SLAYERFISH]

.  Still trying to figure out how to not work and still be able to fish all the time - if anyone has figured that out, let me know.

i have it figured out.

in fact I was fishing today from 11am till 2pm.

[ronco]

  Still trying to figure out how to not work and still be able to fish all the time - if anyone has figured that out, let me know.







Just do what I did 2 years ago and retire LOL.

[USE2BGOOD]

i have it figured out.

in fact I was fishing today from 11am till 2pm.

You never work even when you're there Hamsta.