Heading North for one last try - below zero and 40 in of snow

[Gunflint]

Family issues kept me south for most of this winter, but I'm headed North this weekend to try for trout.

Tough conditions:
 - over 40 inches of standing snow on the flat. Snowmobiles get stuck on land.
 - The snow means BIG issues with slush, deep slush.
 - even the roads are tough. The banks are now so high they touch the tires on both sides. Like driving single file through the woods.

My road isn't even drivable, even with chains. I need to hike in and Snowdow a train of sleds back out to haul in the gear/supplies/food to the cabin.

Still, even if it seems like a fiction and a silly dream somebody once had, spring is coming and I need to go now or never.

Spring should also be exciting this year, when it happens. The record snowpack has over 1 foot of water on the vertical so ALL the creeks and rivers will be at maximum excitement when the thaw actually does make it north.

[Bucket Rump]

I admire your gumption, Gunflint!  Good luck, stay safe, and enjoy!

[slipperybob]

Definitely as it is sometimes the fish are hungry and waiting to be caught.

[Skywagon]

If you are using snowmobiles I hope you have at least two able bodied people along to help for safety's sake, if it is all walk-in, even then at least a second person would sure be a good idea.  Walking through the deep snow like we currently have in the bush is brutal right now, a pair of snowshoes are mandatory equipment for walking and packing trail to help get out of a stuck situation with a snow machine (big shovel is nice too).

The slush is about as bad as it gets right now on the lakes I have been on and from what I have heard the other lakes around are all just as bad, just too much snow pushing the ice down, forcing the water up.  Lots of people stuck in the slush on snowmobiles, tracked machines high center and are totally worthless in this stuff.  I spent more time digging, pushing, pulling and winching snowmobiles out of the slush the last three days I was out (last week and a half), then in the past 5 years. I would suggest unless there is a packed trail on your lake, to take a come-a-long, lots of quality rope and a means of anchoring to it. Most people are not taking the risk of going out right now until conditions improve, I am not that smart, but always have someone else with me, carry a sat phone and the usual rescue equipment.

Be careful on your trip, these are heart attack conditions.

[Gunflint]

I hope you have at least two able bodied people along to help for safety's sake.  Walking through the deep snow like we currently have in the bush is brutal right now, a pair of snowshoes are mandatory equipment for walking and packing trail to help get out of a stuck situation with a snow machine (big shovel is nice too).

The slush is about as bad as it gets right now on the lakes I have been on and from what I have heard the other lakes around are all just as bad, just too much snow pushing the ice down, forcing the water up.  Lots of people stuck in the slush on snowmobiles, tracked machines high center and are totally worthless in this stuff.  I spent more time digging, pushing, pulling and winching snowmobiles out of the slush the last three days I was out (last week and a half), then in the past 5 years. I would suggest unless there is a packed trail on your lake, to take a come-a-long, lots of quality rope and a means of anchoring to it. Most people are not taking the risk of going out right now until conditions improve, I am not that smart, but always have someone else with me, carry a sat phone and the usual rescue equipment.

Be careful on your trip, these are heart attack conditions.

I agree.

The main reason this is happening is that my brother is flying in from out of town to try my new high-tech ice fishing concept.

I have about 5 days to prepare things and get trails packed, etc.

One nice side effect should be minimal competition.

I plan to stay on hard packed trails and not go freestyle.

Thanks

[Skywagon]

If you have hard packed trails, that makes it all look a lot different, you will be fine, thought you might be in untouched territory.  Enjoy your new toy, don't set too high an expectation in real deep water.