That’s right folks…this aint no question…this aint no joke…ETDT and I walked on water!
We awoke at 4:45am and started the skin up in the complete darkness.
Then we stumbled upon the glorious sight of the frozen oasis…
(yes we agree with the sign, swimming is probably a bad idea today)
One small step for tye dye twin…one giant leap for Utah’s ice fishing community!
With rope, life jacket, ice gear, and auger it became clear it was destiny!
As I drilled I decided to try to burst though. Whoa! That was a bad idea. The thunder of booms and cracks rumbbled throughout the lake annoucing the ice gods were present. Was it the ice gods commenting on my early season trechery? I dipped the lines despite whatever the gods might have tried to say.
Then a special mistress fell in love from the spell of the pumpkin pepper jig. Her name was brook and she was a trout. She was the 1st walk to the bright light.
Luckily for her she was able to return to her icy paradise. Hopfully that appeased the ice gods. Hell a bribe never hurts right?
Even though I only had 15 mins to fish as I had to move my mothers house for money…I still got to feel the waves of relief, satifaction, etc. from the withdrawl of the open water blues.
With the success I felt I had earned a victory lap. Which I took in great strides.
I checked it out Saturday by myself and tossed some big rocks. Approached the dents and poked my ski pole through it… 1 inch to 1.5 inches thick. Being alone, without a rope, at 6:30pm was risky but I still went out there in 2 different places. I felt better this time as it was 2 inches thick.
But with the warm temps of today (50 degrees) the window is closed to try ice fishing it again till we get some cold temps again.
NICE!!! might be a new record for gettin on some ice before halloween, im jealous thatyll get you itchin for more hard deck for sure. thanks for the post
Damn nice. I did fall in the year before last somewhere near exactly where you were. First time I ever attempted it too early LOL. I will wait for 2 solid inches and under 28 degrees in daytime from now on hahaha. No more record breaking for me, it was damn cold up there. Good thing i was only up to my waist. But yeah I have fished 1.5 inches many times at utah lake in years past. The alpine lakes freeze differently…and not as fast…watch out! I mean not as fast because considering how cold it is up there I would think it would be faster but it gets waaay warm in the daytime. I still will never wait for 4inches though. Once “safe” ice hits, best fishing is done lol.
With the next few days being warm and sunny as well as staying above freezing at night at 10,000 ft maybe you can go up and fish ice off. That’s always a good time to fish.
How much trouble is that auger to bring in? Have you ever tried an ice spud for early season ice trips instead?
There was open water near the inlet. My thoughts is that the warm temps will just create slush that cannot be penetrated. Just my guess though.
The auger is heavy but I did leave the fish finder/battery and shovel behind so the weight of the pack seemed to be less.That custom extension does hang up on trees and bushes while I ski down though.
A ice spud bar would freak me out. The noise that lake made when I smashed the auger in the ice has been haunting my dreams the past few nights. Very spooky!!!
Still well worth getting a backcountry skiing/ice fishing adventure in as early as possible!
What an adventure…nothing like keepin the tension on that rope just waiting for the bust through! Although I did not get to get my line wet that morning…I at least got some turns for my early morning effort…and some great pixs.
Can’t wait for the temps to cool off…with the 50F + temps this week…going out on the ice right now without a dry suit would be certian suicide! DRY SUIT…now that gives me ideas
might be a new record for gettin on some ice before halloween, im jealous 
thatyll get you itchin for more hard deck for sure. thanks for the post