01-03-2010, 12:15 AM
Got clearance to head for Ririe this morning. However once I got to the turnoff from the highway I started to wonder if it was a bright idea or not. I could barely tell that someone had been in there before me but it was still before sunrise. There was about 1 foot of heavy snow and it was drifting pretty heavily. I did make it but hit a high speed of 30mph and spent most the time around 15. Turned out I was 3rd person to arrive. I headed straight out from the ramp until I was even w/ the rock pile. I almost immediately landed a trout off the bottom that was around 12 inches. After about a half hour w/ more people showing up and a ton of noise I headed for the fringes. I got one hit shortly after setting up but never saw what it was. I stuck around for about another 2 hours w/ no action but watched people near where I started out get into a few schools. I Chrome Junkey showed up and we hung out and talked shop for a while wondering if the fish would ever come to us. Finally the main group catching left and people moved into their holes. After a few minutes I went over to set up near there and they had a few more open holes left and offered them. I set up and immediately started getting hits, but could not set the hook. After a little bit I found dropping down to them then reeling up about 4 cranks would get me a solid hit. I soon landed a couple fish then it eased off. Pretty soon the school was back but still skittish. But they would follow the lure right up to the hole almost. I was looking down the hole and jigging to keep them there and would watch 10+ fish swarming all around the lures but almost never hit it. I eventually landed my limit by watching for when the lure would disapear and then would set the hook. I almost never felt them hit though!
On the plus side the ice was still safe for walking, but it's about 3.5-4" thick. There are areas where it settled some and water was coming up. Where we were catching there was a few inches of standing water and the holes had doubled in size. Definitely need to be careful! On the down side I found out that they are starting to charge for parking this winter up there. On the way out I talked to the guy at the booth and he said the county is supposed to plow the road in. However it comes after they plow the I.F. area and then work their way out. He also says annual parking permits go on sale on Monday. Guess I know what I'm doing this week.
Over all, a good day and it was good to put some faces to other BFTer's out there.
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On the plus side the ice was still safe for walking, but it's about 3.5-4" thick. There are areas where it settled some and water was coming up. Where we were catching there was a few inches of standing water and the holes had doubled in size. Definitely need to be careful! On the down side I found out that they are starting to charge for parking this winter up there. On the way out I talked to the guy at the booth and he said the county is supposed to plow the road in. However it comes after they plow the I.F. area and then work their way out. He also says annual parking permits go on sale on Monday. Guess I know what I'm doing this week.
Over all, a good day and it was good to put some faces to other BFTer's out there.
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