I always wondered why you Utah boys started praying for thick ice to cover the mountain lakes of your beloved state every fall. Now I know. During the past MLK weekend I joined BLM, Polokid, and crew, for a fantastic introduction to this absolute insane sport of ice fishing. Making tracks with snowmobiles, drilling holes in 8" of ice, jigging up scrappy cuts, enduring sub-zero temps, was nothing short of awesome! The folks at the Strawberry Marina and Lodge did an excellent job providing great accommodations and equipment. They really went above and beyond standard service to ensure that my stay was perfect!
Pictures say it all:
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Snowmobiles and shelters make up the fish camp
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After a quick photo, back in the hole
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BLM and Vicki (My wife would never do this!)
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Vicki jigs up a nice cut.
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My best effort, a 23" cut
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Polokid on his ride.
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[black][size 3]Hey BaySport,[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]A belated welcome to Utah. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]When I first tried ice fishing, that was what I had originally thought. Nuts and lunatics doing the insane. I don't know what possessed me to do it for the first time, but I too, found the experience nothing short of exhilarating. Nowadays, I look forward to the cold, ice and snow for other reasons than just skiing.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]BTW - Great photos ![/size]
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Great report and pics. Thanks for sharing, and welcome to Utah! [
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Ditto. Welcome to our beloved sport.
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Dave, thanks for sharing your report and your great experience ice fishing with your brother and friends. Yes, ice fishing can be lots of fun and become addictive.
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Sounds like a fabulous trip! Glad you had a good time on your first adventure onto the hard deck. It sure is a ton of fun!
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glad to see you guys had a good time for your first trip ice fishing.
cool pic of the marina lodge. later chuck
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]This trip was a blast. This was the first trip with my newly acquired snowmobile. Fishing was slow for Strawberry standards, but we still caught fish. I have to give a big shout out to the owners and employees at the Strawberry Lodge. They go far out of their way to accommodate you and help you. If you have never had the Sat. night all you can eat prime rib dinner. You do not know what you are missing. [/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]It was in the -20's every morning. All diesel trucks and many snowmobiles (especially mine) would not start in the morning.[/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]Thanks to CBR, BLM and his wife, Baysport, Don, and my wife for a fun trip. I foresee this happening again in the future! [/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Dave, you never mentioned skipping 7'-8' of open water with the rental sled you were riding! LOL! Have you cleaned your shorts yet?[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]I will also say that the Strawberry Lodge treated us great. What a friendly, helpful staff. On Sunday night, they closed the restaurant early but we did not know this. We walked in, found out, and were ready to drive to Heber but they opened up their kitchen and hooked us up with good, hot meals. My hat goes off to them. And as Rob said, the Prime Rib Buffet, though a scant pricey, is absolutely worth it! The next time you're there on a Saturday, plan on dining up there. [/size][/font]
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Other then the frigid temperatures I would loved to have been there with you guys. Instead I decided to stay home, take care of some choirs, and tend Rich and Vickie's dog. I'm sure ice fishing for the first time with your brother was a blast. Going out with somebody like him with all the knowledge and gear he's built up over the years is a major learning experience for a first timer. You probably learned more about ice fishing in one weekend then many ice fishermen learn the first couple years they ice fish. Glad you had a great time.
Bear Lake is now bullet proof. Make another trip up and I'll join you and BLM out on Bear Lake for a little more hard deck action.
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The Strawberry Bay Marina folks are a great bunch. They've opened up the kitchen after closing it for me a couple of times too. Not many lodges will do that. They've even cooked up my days catch for me. Nothing like eating way fresh Strawberry trout and relaxing in the lodge after a day of fishing.
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Welcome to the sport of ice fishing. Sounds like if you had fun in those temps you will do it again.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2][#002850]Thanks for sharing your report there BaySport. Looks like you folks do know how to vacation. A BIG salute to the ladies too. Great pics.
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Sorry for the way things turned out for you... If I were you I'd give up ice fishing all together (and all other winter activities as well-)
Tell all you know to do the same- the last thing we need is for you to start an unnecessary stampede of thrill seekers making their way through our winter playgrounds...
You were right the 1st time- "We're all insane!"... PB [crazy]
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