Had a good morning at scofield . We fished from 8-12 and caught 28 fish most fish were rainbows in the 16" to 18" range. we fished off the south point of the marina arm in 19’ of water most were caught in 14’ to 17’ various jigs and lures.
Thanks for the report. Where were you fishing and did you catch any tigers??
How much ice is on?
Wife is a little worried.
My son and I were up there today as well, we were on the south end, the last little road that goes down on the east side. The ice was 5 inches and solid with little patches of snow, but it between them it was clear and slick. By the time we left at 1:00 there was an inch of snow all over the lake, but still very slick in the spots that had no snow to start with. Maybe tonight will freeze that new snow to the ice and it will be good footing for tomorrow. Either way, the fishing is good, we did best with half a night crawler pushed over our jig and up the line a bit, and an inch or so hanging down under it, far out fished the mealies and wax worms. We had tiger colored ice flies and chartruse rat finkies.
[indent]sweet 5 inches thanks for the report guys
Don’t let teh wife worry I have walked on 2 1/2 inches and never worried at all. Oh my buddy might bring 2 4 man shanteys up there, one will be for you to use to keep your wife warm and such.
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Well, First:
Thank you hooter_patrol for the great price you gave me for the igloo and the auger. They worked very well.
Thank you AJ for your generosity with the poles it is very much appreciated.
and thank you BassAckward & Out4Trout for your company, comments and instructions.
And for everyone else for your comments and suggestions.
Scofield Sunday 13th Dec.:
.
I didn’t get much sleep as I am a back up snow Plow driver and was waiting for a call at 2:00 AM. The call never came but since I was awake already just got up.
Met up with Out4trout, BassAckward and two others sorry guys I can’t remember your names. But it was very nice to meet all of you. At 5:00 AM (uh-hmm BassAckwards), anyway We got up to Scofield around 8:00 AM.
It was a little slow for me as we unpacked the truck and put everything into the boy’s little red sleds. Finally got over to were the other 4 were setting up.
Had the auger blades on upside down,(Auger was bought with no blades so it was trial and error). Finally got two holes in. Then set up the igloo and cut two holes for it.
I was getting our poles ready, trying to tip with frozen minnows, teaching the boys how to set their lines.
Meanwhile the Mrs. was setting up the Colman propane heater. It was not auto start and Mrs. had it on thought it was auto and by the time I got to it she was a little sick from breathing the propane in the igloo. I had to go rummage for matches. Got it going had no real good place to set it. Had to rummage again for a black tydown to hang it in the igloo. Mrs had put on an Old bottle of gas, lasted 2 minutes started getting cold again, put on new one, fight wind to light it again with my limited supply of matches.
The four others where catching a few fish. My son Jr. got three up to the ice then they got off before they got to the hole. Explained to him how to keep the tip in the hole untill the fish was lined up with the hole then pull it in. Course he did not get any more bites.
I did not have much time to fish as I was watching the boys and Mrs. The pole I bought from Sportsmans, the real on it broke before I even put it into the water. Luckily I had bought the Mrs a pink pole so I had an extra. The real kept falling off of the pink pole cause it just had these plastic slidy things to hold the real on. Talk about a cheap set up. I will take both of them back as soon as I find the reciept.
Moved to another spot on the ice. The wind was really starting to pick up. Started blowing snow. The Mrs. was getting worried about me being cold and wanted me to get in the 2 man igloo for a few. Her and the boys were playing tag for the two spots in the igloo. I was fine and let them enjoy what warmth the igloo offered.
I got a few bites along with the Mrs. but no takers. Jr. got three to the bottom of the ice like I said at the other spot but did not get any bites at the new spot. and Jimbo did not get anything.
We called it at 12:30. by that time the boys were complaining about thier toes and hands, and the Mrs. was having cold feet problems.
After effects: Mrs. is not satisfied with that day and has the need to go again, Jr says it sucked because when he finally had it figured how to get the fish on top of the ice he got no more bites. So he is ready to go again. Jimbo, well not sure about him. He’s not much into the fishing thing but comes and does it because it is something his parents and brother enjoy. He doesn’t ever complain and just goes with the flow.
I figured out what I needed and what to buy for our next outing. My boss called me into his office today and I have come in to a couple of hundred extra dollars so I want to buy an ice tent and a sled.
Kent.
I’m sorry I wasn’t much help yesterday. I was really tired and could barley keep my self awake (Christmas party the night before and the wife didn’t want to leave). It wasn’t a very productive day at all normally the bite will stay strong most of the day not yesterday. The wind would not let up and was very cold and when you’re tired it taxes you even more. I
Next time will be a lot better; I will keep you informed as to when and were we plan on going next time. Also sorry for being late nothing went as planned for me getting out of the house. Normally I am right on time if not early just was one of those days I guess.
Everywhere should be capping here soon so there will be a lot closer places to hit real soon. Plus I promise I will be of more help next time also. Just wasn’t myself in a lot of ways, my focus was gone with the wind.
Give them a time or two more before calling it quits on anything. One bad day is always had. And with each time brings more experience for you and your family. Soon Jr and Jimbo will be pulling them in good and you wont forget a whole slew of matches you might pick up another tent with having that many people fishing. Who knows.
I truly hope you guys next experience is much better.
Im4Trout, I’m glad you guys got out, sounds like it was a little rough getting started, But you will figure it out give it some time, Also glad to hear the igloo and auger worked okay for you, to bad about the fishing poles, Like they say live and learn, But all in all it sounds like you had fun. [fishin] PS. ones you get some fish on the ice you and the family will in joy it a lot more. [;)]
Hey it was nice meeting you and the fam, Kent. Yesterday was VERY cold. That wind bit right through ya. I’ve gotta get a shanty soon. I should have swallowed some pride and hopped in BassAckward’s or Churd’s shanty.
The fishing was almost as slow as I’ve ever seen it there. I don’t know what caused that, but I did manage to put five more fish on the ice after you left. Eight fish is usually a slow day on the hard deck at Scofield in December. CBR (Craig) went out deeper and managed to get into about 20 more after you left, but most were smaller than usual. It’s normally much faster ice fishing there than that this time of year. For slimer fishing, Strawberry is much better as I mentioned to you in passing. Mud Creek Bay probably has a safe cap over most of it right now, and Chicken Creek East and West should be safe in a week or less. The Strawberry Marina area is awesome until the masses find out it’s capped, then it goes downhill pretty fast with all of the noise and fishing pressure. That should be capped safely by Christmas or a few days before. After that, if you are wanting fish that area you’d better have four-wheelers or a snomo to get way past the crowded areas to find active fish. After new years the marina area sucks unless you have the aforementioned transportation. It’s better to go to CCE, the ladders, etc…
By that time of year though, personally I’m more after the tastier panfish like perch, crappie, bluegill, etc. and I’m at the lakes that support those populations…
Good luck on your next trip out, and you are welcome to go out with us again…
For a first trip with slow fishing and a cold day sounds like you did pretty good.
People forget to keep moving their toes and their feet get cold. Those little toe warmers in peoples boots can help keep toes warm in your boots when you don’t move your feet enough.
Most of those ice poles just have the plastic piece that slides up over the bottom of the reel, just slide it up and wrap the bottom with a layer of electric tape, works good.