Went out to Chesterfield today, we got up there at 8:30 and fished until 2:30. Fishing was slow, but all fish we caught were footballs. My brother caught a real freak fish, it was 23 inches and had a crook-ed spine (see pictures). I was wondering if anyone knew if there was whirling disease in Chesterfield.
Oh and for anyone else that are wondering… the ice was 7 inches thick and the temperature was -3 when we got there but 21 when we left. The ice was popping so bad that my brother got scared and waited on the bank until he could get the courage to come back.
All in all a great way to start the ice season.
Don’t know if the whirling disease spores are present in Chesterfield or not. But the fish in your picture doesn’t have whirling disease. Watch this video. Notice the black tail? It is a much better indication of whirling disease. Folks catch fish with spinal deformities all the time. Most of them come from injuries in a fish hatchery.
Nice fat bows, thanks for sharing your report. Have you tried any of them yet? The last trout I caught from Chesterfield had a mossy taste to it, just wondering how they taste later in the year.
WH2
I don’t care to eat fish, so I usually don’t keep much. My wife and kids on the other hand love fish. They ate one last night and said it was delicious. The meat was a great color and looked great… as much as I try I just can’t enjoy eating fish… give me a steak.
My guess it that fish was injured (broken back) in a hatchery when it was but a small fry. I am heading for Chesterfield myself this weekend. Cannot wait!
