We went to Jordenelle with eight scouts this morning. We first stopped at Hailstone exit and found a “Road Closed” sign. So we went around to Rockcliff. There were several other trucks there so we stayed and walked down to the lake.
We went down to first point before the bouys. Getting off the packed snow mobile trails was hell. The slush monster was in full glory. Drilled a test hole to find the depth, only 12 feet. Moved out deeper and drilled. Went back to first hole to get my sled. The slush monster disguised the hole and my right foot went in up to my knee. [crazy] I needed help getting out. Wet leg and foot all day, but managed though it.
To fishing! Drilled holes for all the boys. The first boy to get a line wet, caught a fish before getting all the holes done. Power auger a must for that many holes. And couple of us had second pole permits. I caught nine bows. Three other boys caught three or four. Most of the fish were 12-13 inchers. I did get one 16 incher. The others didn’t really pay much attention. Only one 4 inch perch was caught.
It was a great day to be fishing, sun was out and NO wind. We saw lots of deer and one elk. It was the first time ice fishing for these boys. [:)] They had fun and it was a good experience for them. Even with all the preparation we had with them they all weren’t totally prepared for the cold and slush (I guess they didn’t believe us), but next time (if they go) they will!
I was there also this morning. I left the snowmobile home!!! That walk was MISERABLE in the slush. I kept thinking “Good thing I don’t have the snowobile with me…it would probably be STUCK!”
I fished in 11 feet of water and the fishing was pretty good till about 9:30 or 10:00 then it died. I think the fish went out deeper then!
Anyway, I ended up with 14 Bows, one going 16 inches, another going 15, and the rest all 10 to 12 inchers. I also caught one small perch.
I don’t think I’ll be going back to Jordanelle again until somebody confirms that the slush is gone. I also had wet cold feet, even with my Sorell Glacier boots. They are only waterproof up to about the top of the ankle where the rubber stops! I kept warm in my ice shack with my heater, and that was the only way I could’ve stayed out there with wet feet!
I’ve always like the fast action there, but the fish are so much bigger at Da’Berry!
Randy
I took a friend and his two sons to the nelle today… first time I had been there in a long time… I was worried because of the talk of the roads being closed… I went to the rock cliffs, got there about 1100 and fished until about 1600 hours, we caught about 15 bows and ONE PERCH ALSO, the largest bow was about 15 the smallest was about ten, we took six home to eat… good day… my buddy was from phoenix and he and his sons had never been ice fishing before so it was a good to get them into something…