Been trying to get together with my Buddy TinCanSparky. We fish a few tournaments together and he finally picked up a Sled so we can run the lakes for ice fishing. On Sat we hooked up in Barrie but were running a little behind. Fishchaser was already on the ice waiting for us. So we unloaded and packed all our gear in the Traps. Off to no mans land we went. Started marking fish right away. We were in about 74 fow. Well Sparky gets a whitie on in about 10 min. After about another 15-20 min he lands a Laker. Now he’s excited. So I tell him today is a run and gun day. Usually he sits in one spot for the day.
Well it’s getting around noon and I convince the guys to running over to Jackson’s Point. I have been talking to John from Wilcraft about his new fishing vehicle. So across the lake we go. Once on the East side of Simcoe we find the snow a lot less. We hook up with John for a look and a chat.
Looks like this machine (which is being classified as a boat in Ont.) would be great for the nasty weather. The wheels raise up and down to give 11” of clearance. There is a spot for a trolling motor and there are holes in the floor for ice fishing.
So we head out from Jackson’s point. Out to the middle of the lake as far as the guys I’m with are figuring. Punch a few holes but not the real spot I want to be. So off again toward Willow Beach crowd. We get set up on the outer edge and mark fish right away.
I hear this noise only to see a plane coming in for a landing. Man, are we on the run way? He was landing maybe 50 yds from us. Two guys jump out punch a few holes and start fishing. Now that’s Run And Gun.
Well we head back to the Shoal but decide it’s time for some Wobbly Pops at home.
Day 2
Sleep in till 7am today. Head up to a little crappie lake I know. Of course we are running behind and we were supposed to be there by 9am. We get there just before 930am and Fishchaser has been there since 8 am. He has not marked fish. Now last time MuddyBudy and I were there the action was non stop all day. So we all head off in different directions. Fishing various depths but mostly catching little Perch. So around 1100 am Fishchaser decides to pack it in. I keep moving till I finally find some Crappie. I get on the radio and tell Sparky to head over. He comes over and sets up. The Crappie were small and then gone. After about 20 min a guy on a sled pulls up. He has never seen a Fish Tarp. So I give him a Tour and he’s impressed. We talk some more about local lakes and it turns out we fish a lot of the same smaller lakes. So all of a sudden Sparky calls to me he’s got one on. I keep talking to this gentleman and Sparky calls me again. I figure I better head over to his portable to see what’s going on. He looks at me and says “It’s something big”. After a bunch of peeling line and hauling in I look down the hole. All righty as a big head shows in the bottom of the hole. I reach my hand down and pull up this 32” Fat….fat Pike. Man he was hooked by a micro jig right in the upper jaw on the side. Wow ultra light tackle and line.
Well no wonder all the fish scattered. So back down the hole real quick and we move to a different spot. Not much for the rest of the day so time to pack it in.
Now no day would be complete with out lighting problems with the trailer. I replaced my pig tail on my truck last summer and it’s rotted out already. Two of the wires and the ground prong break off. So it’s now out with the Arm knife and a few cuts, splices and were away.
So Sparky had a pretty good weekend fishing through the ice. Weather was beautiful both days and we had a blast on the sleds. Well Sparky was always lagging behind on that new sled. Before we packed up he looks at me and asks if I want to take it for a spin and give me my opinion. Well don’t have to tell me twice. On the lake in seconds and have it up to 110 km/hr. This Skidoo is floating over the bumps and the steering is so responsive. It’s a 2006 Skidoo Expedition 800 four stroke. What a beauty it was to ride. Wide skis and track to backcountry. New riding platform really makes it comfortable. So it has made me realize what a klunker I’m riding now. The old SC10 suspension. We’ll see what next year brings.
RR
