Almost whitefish time

[brookie]

Springbuck, I understand your pain. I think for those of us who have not spent many days fishing this whitefish spawn, there is a learning curve, with some fast learner (Pack12) exceptions. I went the first time with Kentofnsl and Ktrout in their boat. We caught some but it was spotty. The next time I went, I fished from shore. I started out like you with NBS (nothing but snags). So I put a slip bubble inline above a swivel and about a 3' leader to the jig. It helped keep me out of the snags. I did pretty well, including a decent cutt. Of course I did the double klutz, tripped and fell in the water on the cobble rocks. Luckily my chest waders helped and I only had to climb back through the snow to the truck to change my coat.

I have been several times since in my boat with mixed results. Every time I go, I think "why did I drive 3+ hrs dragging a boat on slick roads and marginal weather, to fish in the cold for these bony, not great shape because they are spawning, average tasting fish - pretty miserable as far as comforts go (frozen fingers and all). They do fight well. Yet I find myself considering the trip again this year. I guess some of it is the challenge, some the lack of other fishing alternatives and the fact that this is the only time these fish are available in reasonable numbers. Who knows, if I get this bathroom remodel done quick enough I might be up there too.