So my buddy and I headed back to Grafton (NY) today for the second day of a Free Fishing Weekend in that State.
It was a lot easier getting to the Pond (Second Pond) we tried today rather than the one we fished yesterday (Dyken Pond).
The weather (sunny and blue skies) and ice conditions (about 12" of snow that got progressively slushier as the day went on, over about 12" of ice) were about the same as yesterday.
In fact, it was even a little bit warmer than yesterday (with temps supposedly reaching 54 degrees), although the wind made it feel a bit cooler than that.
As with yesterday, the fishing was extremely slow.
Whereas Dyken Pond is known for walleye, Second Pond mainly has a reputation for trout.
There were two other groups of guys on the Pond, but no one seemed to get any flags, although one guy said his buddy caught a 20" brookie there two weeks agon.
As usual, we ate pretty well. Chicken with black beans and rice soup, next some grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, chased down with a nip bottle of homemade grape and pomegranate wine, then an apple, followed by french toast muffins and a pot of hot coffee.
After lunch, I strapped on my skis and took a spin around the pond to chat with the "neighbors."
We picked up a little after 2 PM and headed home.
When we got home, we unpacked most of our gear.
Then my wife was kind enough to drive us to the edge of property with a private pond, and dropped us off at the edge of a trail.
We hiked in for about 1/4 mile, augured a few holes through about 8" of ice, and fished for a little over an hour, during which time we caught 3 brookies apiece. My buddy caught the "fish of the day" (about 12").
Then we hiked back to the end of the trail where my wife picked us up and drove us home.
I suspect I will sleep well tonight.
