First Trip out of 08

[oxquo]

   The ice was around 4" today at a small trout lake, reports have been the same for some of the larger lakes around shore. Using a simple rig of a size 12 snell and a mealworm I managed 3 nice brook trout in about 5' of water fishing 1-2' below the ice. All fish were in the 12-14" range and I missed a few due to the soft bite. I switched up to My homemade ice rig and caught the three finally. Great day out and nice to see those pre spawn brookies in full color. All fish were released but sadly, before I got My cam ready this one spewed eggs, I got her into the water quickly, no time for a nice photo. 

[The Beachcomber]

Nice to get out early eh, too bad about the eggs comming out but what can you do!

[snopro31]

if you want to catch trout like mad milk the eggs from the females into a zip lock bag.  then get some fine mesh and make egg sacks out of it.  they will go nuts.

and no its not reducing the population.  only trout in natural rivers, and i think 1 or 2 lakes way up north naturally reproduce so those eggs you saw on the ice will not be making little trout.

[Timto]

only trout in natural rivers, and i think 1 or 2 lakes way up north naturally reproduce so those eggs you saw on the ice will not be making little trout.

Interesting, did not know that.

[sled-in]

trout need rapids to reproduce

[Skiff]

WTG on the trout, that is a beauty you got!  That's also an interesting rod tip-up you've got there.  Is it a commercial rig, or did you make it yourself?  It looks simple enough to make, and I've got some scraps of wood that would be ideal to make a couple for myself.  Only thing is, I can't see the pin/clamp/ratchet... or whatever is holding the rod tip down.  Any chance of closer pix, or a diagram?  Thanks,
Skiff

[Shack Man]

Could that set up be considered illegal? The Angler's guide says "the use of any unusual or special gimmicks is often illegal, hooks or lures must not be spring-loaded".

If somebody could clarify this it would be appreciated, I have a similar set up I would like to use.

[big-brother]

 http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=16435.0           http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=15048.msg141167#msg141167 Hope this is useful Al.

[Q]

Where abouts is small trout lake?

[SK Justin]

Oxquo,

Is this the lake that I've discussed with you before?

Nice fish!

And don't worry, snopro31 is correct in that there are virtually no naturally reproducing trout (excluding lakers) in stocked lakes in Manitoba. The proper requirements for spawning just aren't present in lakes - they require a stream environment.

[snopro31]

skjustin how are the lakes around your end?  freezing up good?

[SK Justin]

So far so good. I haven't hit any of the trout lakes yet, but I was out on Saturday for perch and walleye on a local reservoir that already had 6 inches of ice.

[Skiff]

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=16435.0           http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=15048.msg141167#msg141167 Hope this is useful Al.

Thanks, Andy - I'd forgotten all about that Inventions forum.  Lots of really good info in there!

[oxquo]

The tip up is homemade, 1) 2x4x8 and some dowelling makes 6 of them, can't afford the commercial ones due to fly tying expenses. Basically the wire rod holders work as well if You have them kicking around. I also have a two parter for Spring shoreline walleye fishing where the rod is in the wire holder and the trip mechanism is on a 1/4" threaded rod. same system but fits the 7' ugly stick. Build the base, test the rod bend then cut the trip mechanism. I used just a piece of stainless for the trigger, it can be bent on the ice if You need to adjust sensitivity, then I wax it before each trip and take a small candle with me if it starts sticking. Note that You don't need 500 psi to set the hook a slight bend will set it plenty. I tested this rig in My fish tank before going out and nearly drove a cichlid through My ceiling.

  The wire rod holder and drilled holes in the mainboard makes it all a little more compact and You can opt to put the trip mechanism on a hinge for easier transport. It's cheap and works great. For Pike though I like to pull a good 2 feet of line out and hook it around a small chunk of ice or snow, this give some room for the fish to slackline before it trips.


   A good tip is to clear coat it all with shellac or even spray, and then assemble when dry, this helps both with keeping it dry and not getting permanently stuck to the ice.

   Time to get ready for Twin Lakes the Tigers are callin.

   Not sure on the spawning thing, I have seen plenty of young fish that were not stocked in a lot of the trout lakes We visited this year. Even Twin yet they say tiger's can't spawn and they weren't stocked but You catch plenty of 3-5" tigers. I'm wondering if a select few have adapted. Good tip on the eggs but I can't see squeezing the crud out of a fish and then letting her go free, lol. Whether viable fry or not come from these fish, it is an honor to be able to catch trout out here in the prairies, Thanks to FLIPPR if only Saskatchewan cared about their fisheries half as much. Only fish I eat is Winter Pike so the rest swim again.

[Boatless]

Nice brookie. 

Stocked trout really won't spawn 99.99% of the time in Manitoba. They do what some anglers call "false spawn" which is that they go through the motions, but in still water environments, they don't have the right conditions to reproduce.

When that orange gold starts coming out, don't let it go to waste. It really does work for bait. Just keep it fresh or freeze it quick. Spawn works pretty good at certain times of year. You can treat them in powdered Borax (or soak them in a boric-acid solution) to harden the eggs so that they don't break as easy in the nylon spawn bags and so you can even put them on a tiny salmon hook. This also preserves them. There's also a product called Spider Twine that is awesome for tying the spawn bags, but I can only find it online.

Just try the stuff on a lindy rig in the spring or fall depending on what species you're targeting and you probably won't be sorry... 

[oxquo]

Could that set up be considered illegal? The Angler's guide says "the use of any unusual or special gimmicks is often illegal, hooks or lures must not be spring-loaded".

If somebody could clarify this it would be appreciated, I have a similar set up I would like to use.

 I have seen spring loaded hooks, this is by no means a hook that is spring loaded. I had previously inquired about the automatic fisherman which is another self setting rig that the fishing hole sells. They claim that it is fully legal and no springs are involved. Google search spring loaded fish hooks they are evil looking contraptions that would very seldom allow any fish to be released. I also inquired about the Slammer which works in about the same fashion, Nor the rod or lure is spring loaded and although the rod gives a quick set when the lure is taken, nothing truly stops the fish from escaping. Strangely though, the quick set seems to make them run like mad so there is seldom slack to shake a hook. I did also buy the automatic reel from the fishing hole, and before I used it a warden said it wasn't legal. the reel is spring coiled and when the fish pulls it reels in line. Aside from telling Me I had way too much time on My hands, He was mildly amused with the rig. One thing i have learned though is that all wardens are different and enforce differently. Some may even see an auto jigging tip up as wrong. 

[snopro31]

Nice brookie. 

Stocked trout really won't spawn 99.99% of the time in Manitoba. They do what some anglers call "false spawn" which is that they go through the motions, but in still water environments, they don't have the right conditions to reproduce.

When that orange gold starts coming out, don't let it go to waste. It really does work for bait. Just keep it fresh or freeze it quick. Spawn works pretty good at certain times of year. You can treat them in powdered Borax (or soak them in a boric-acid solution) to harden the eggs so that they don't break as easy in the nylon spawn bags and so you can even put them on a tiny salmon hook. This also preserves them. There's also a product called Spider Twine that is awesome for tying the spawn bags, but I can only find it online.

Just try the stuff on a lindy rig in the spring or fall depending on what species you're targeting and you probably won't be sorry... 

and keep an eye on your rod.  if your using sacks the fish hit them hard.  perch lake is a good lake to see big browns hitting sacks.  they slam them

[oxquo]

   Never got out to perch yet, but I will. I love them C&R lakes. Do any of the commercial egg baits work? I was wanting to hit Goose Lakes but it's no natural bait. I thought Perch lake was also?

[TogoJeff]

   Never got out to perch yet, but I will. I love them C&R lakes. Do any of the commercial egg baits work? I was wanting to hit Goose Lakes but it's no natural bait. I thought Perch lake was also?

Bait is allowed on Perch Lake.

[snopro31]

i find that if im using eggs from the area compared to bought ones the ratio is 10:1 for fish.  the bought ones just dont catch fish like the fresh local ones

[oxquo]

   Makes a tonne of sense. I'll maybe save the next ones if they fall out again, thanks for the tip.