FGR Burbot Catch Report -12/20/08

We braved the Arctic chill, blustery winds, and drifting snow to hit the ice on Saturday night. Surprisingly, it was pretty calm on the ice, even though the winds were rocking on the way there. Temps were in the low teens.

We fished the cliffs on the eastside of the reservoir, between Firehole and Sage Creek. Ice is already 8 inches of clear. Three of us caught 15 burbot in about 4 hours of fishing. I personallly managed 4, and they all came on tip-ups set in 12-22ft of water, rigged with a 3/8oz jighead, Yamamoto grub in glow, and a strip of sucker meat. Baits were set only inches from the bottom. Some of the bigger fish were about 22-24 inches and full of crayfish plus what appeared to be a small burbot. Nice to see them cannibalistic!

Sorry no pics…good luck, Ryno

8-inches of Ice already, Wow. I guess I’m goping to have to try fishing for those Burbots up there.

Have you heard any word on the ice in the southern part of the Gorge? Linwood Bay or Antelope Flats?

I want to take my Scouts fishing for some trout and burbot, but I want to make sure there is some safe ice.

There isn’t any ice that far south. Some ice is forming in the backs of canyons and draws, but it probably wouldn’t be safe.