Fishing Forum

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]My good friend Dave and I decided to fish the Berry today. We left quite early (2:30 A.M.) so that we could make sure that we were all set up before the morning bite started. Driving through Bountiful, the temperature was a spring like 62°. In Heber, it was 34°, and at 4:45 at the marina it was 17°.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]We traveled on dry roads all the way to the marina.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I got a kick out of Dave listening to the thunder of the cracking ice under us … you know, that "new-bee" fear? We arrive at our spot and set up camp in the light of the full moon and our head lamps.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I believe that, to be properly trained in the art of ice fishing, the new-bee must do all the work including drilling holes and pulling the sled.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]There was absolutely no slush and the ice was 13-14 inches thick where we were. A lot thicker than I ever thought it would be after all the warm weather we have had.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Once we got all set up and getting bites, Dave was pretty happy.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]We used several different color of 2 ½" tube jigs and water crickets all tipped with chub. The best combination was the glow tubes. Never got a bite on the water cricket.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Dave iced four slot cuts.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I only managed one fish … a stub-nosed cut (or is that a bow?).[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I sure got a kick out of watching Dave watch the fish on the underwater AquaView camera for the first time.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]After a while it got so hot in the tent that we were down to our T-shirts. Dave begged me to not go any further than my shirt.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Sure glad we wore ice cleats on our boots. Last time I didn't and had a real hard time standing on that snot-slick ice in the tent. Last time, I even fell … and hurt my feelings.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Here's a few shots of some of the gear we drug out there. Note; it is important to spread it all over kingdom-come! [/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Another important thing is to have a backup auger just incase the other one won't start.[/size][/#800000][/font] [:p]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Speaking of gear, here's a shot of the sonar fish finder, the heater, and AquaView TV … all the amenities a man would want on a February morning in the middle of Strawberry Reservoir.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Since the TV keeps sucking the life out of those little 12 volt batteries, we decided hook up some REAL power … a 12 volt garden tractor battery. Now that sucker NEVER runs out of power.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]This "Camera Compass" is a pretty cool little device. It holds the camera cable secure, keeps the hole from freezing up (heat attracting black), and makes it very easy to make minute adjustments to turn and hold the camera accurately.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I love my TubeDude-inspired PVC rod stand. I especially like how it holds my scissors and clippers.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]We decided to pack up and leave at noon after the bite had slowed way down.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]A month ago, there must have been easily 200 groups of people with tents and fishing near the marina. Today there were only 3 groups east of the marina …[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]And only 4 people south of the marina.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]The parking lot had lots of room at 1:00 PM.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]The road between 40 and the marina was easy going.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Just a little packed (but melting) ice around the lodge and parking lot.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I think this may very well be my last ice fishing trip to the Berry this year. But I must tell you that there is absolutely no problem with ice degradation at the Berry right now and I doubt there will be for several weeks.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Fishing today was slow. I attribute it to the recent low pressure and possibly the full moon.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Also, one thing that I am kind of beginning to think is that a lighted camera under water may scare fish away. Sometimes we would turn the camera off and shortly afterwards, we would begin to see activity on the sonar. Have any you folks experienced this?[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Anyway, Dave and I sure had a great day on the ice today. It was Dave's first in a long time and maybe my last for this season.[/size][/#800000][/font]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Here are some of Dave's thoughts on today's ice fishing trip:[/size][/#800000][/font]

New-bee goes Ice Fishing!

I was invited to go Ice Fishing today with Old Coot. Many years ago, I sat on a 5-gallon Bucket on a Frozen lake with the wind howling like Crazy, and caught 3 small fish. I wasn't impressed with the "Sport" of Ice Fishing ... Until Today.

I met up with Coot this morning at 2:30 AM! And we headed out to Strawberry Reservoir. We Unloaded a Full Vehicle into a sled, and with Headlamps Blazing and the moon above, and Coots GPS in hand, we headed out onto the frozen Tundra, with Coot telling me how bad it is to walk out here when there are several inches of Slush. Today's walking trip was amazingly smooth..

We found our destination, and using his rope with knots in it as a marker, drilled our Ice holes that we would be using for the day, THEN set up the Ice shack. After several minutes of Coot unppacking things and plugging in things and starting up things, we had a little heater going, a Fish Finder going, sitting on nice comfortable chairs, and a FISH TV! Those Fish didn't have a chance!! This was Ice Fishing?? This was GREAT!

Coot was very patient with me - he brought all the Poles, the right rigging, the right lures, the right smelly stink stuff... and taught me how to watch and be patient while the fish checks things out instead of me getting too excited and trying to set the hook too soon. We landed a few, and watched several more.

All in all, what an Amazing Experience. All I had to do was show up, pay for some gas, and do what he told me to do, the way that he told me to do it.

Sometimes you do things in Life that you will remember for the REST of your Life. Today was one of those days. Thanks again to you, Old Coot. I'm STILL on Cloud 9...
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 3]GREAT report Coot! Was a fun read too. Dave I got to tell ya.. There is nothing like all these Electronic devices to help you "UP" your catch rate. It make that long run to the Berry worth it. Thanks Old_Coot for sharing your Day's adventure on the Berry. I'm sure that Dave will be looking forward to next year now! [][/size][/#000000][/font]
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One thing I forgot to mention is that that cool underwater camera belongs to Bait_Caster. Thanks for loaning it to us brother.
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Great report and love the pics. I think tomorrow will be a zoo there though.
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What a great report. Made me feel sorry I wasn't there.Thanks for sharing!
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That's one amazing report especially how organized it is []. Gotta love the priceless faces when a noob hears the ice cracking. Got to experience that last week at fish lake.
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Really enjoyed the photos and information about your gear and set-up -- and your singular sense of humor.

I still want to be you when I grow up.
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[quote kandersonSLC]Really enjoyed the photos and information about your gear and set-up -- and your singular sense of humor.

I still want to be you when I grow up.[/quote]


Have to concur 95%. Great report and presentation Coot - both to us and to the fisheses.

Ever run into any Kokes under ice there? I've had the camera help me detect bites that registered NOTHING on the spring bobber. Slurp and Spit.
I like your props for the camera/FF. I need to build a stand for my setup.
I have a camera dial too, but I've wanted to come up with some sort of handle so I don't have to bend down so far to dial it.

As for the camera light - I've observed Gills and others come RIGHT up to the camera to check it out. Plus observed the camera light cause some flash of the jewel in my Marmooska jigs. I think it draws attention, but maybe not always, or all fish.

As for growing up - I don't have to worry about that anymore. I made it!

Hey OC, I LOVED that report. But being a newbee, I still don't think I want to do the ice fishing thing. I'm too old and crippled to haul ice sleds and bore holes. But if you plan a trip back up there later when it's a bit warmer and the ice is off, let me know. I just may be willing and able to go this time. And more than happy to pay for the gas or split what ever.....just let me know.
I have fished Strawberry twice in the last 11 years from a boat, and didn't do very well on my own. Maybe I need some OldCoot instruction....LOL. And I live in Clinton also, so meeting up shouldn't be too difficult.
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Tin Can,

I would love to do the Berry or even Willard with you some time. We tried once before and couldn't get connected but we can sure try again some time.

With both of us living in Clinton, we have probably passed by each other in Wal-Mart a hundred times and not known it. But yea, let's fish together sometime this summer.

--- Coot ---
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Great report/pics OC! Thanks. Loved your set up too.

Now we know what we'll be wanting to get next - a camera (Thanks to BC for lending it).

TC - we are headed up tomorrow with some friends you're welcome to join us if you want to give it go. (send a PM if interested)
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My dad got one of those the other week! The stub nose cutt! It's was very, very weird!
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You and I both have the same tackle box. Since we both fish Strawberry quite a bit I'll bet the tackle inside each one would be about the same too.
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jjannie, like I told OC, just not into the ice routine. And since I worked today, I only have one day this weekend to maybe get the boat unwrapped for the long weekend next week. course, my luck, it will storm to beat the band next weekend. Have fun and good luck at the Berry, be safe.
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Fantastic report and LOVE the color. I Hate clicking on pictures so this one was a real pleasure to read. The story line was exceptionally good. THANK YOU.
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Great report Coot.
I'm headed that direction tomorrow. Not sure if I am going to the marina or not. Do they charge to park at the marina?
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Invitation is always there should you ever want to give it a try.

Last report we heard, no big weather changes for the 7-10 days (maybe just a brush by front M-T) so you'll likely be in fine shape for your outing next weekend. We'll be getting our boat ready in the next couple of weeks as well, but for now we'll enjoy ice fishing in the springtime temps. At this rate, before long though, gardening and yard work will start up (LOL).
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Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I finally got out there too last week and found some similar situations. When it's above 60 degrees, I can't blame anyone for wanting to not be up on the cold ice! I was pleased the ice conditions were so good.

There were only two differences for us, (well actually 3 because we had the good sense to not leave until 6:30), [:p] 1) my clothes stayed ON! [laugh] And, 2) we caught 29 between us. It was a real treat to find a productive spot.

I hope to get there again this "Winter," and while I love this "designer winter warm in the valleys thing," I hope we get enough water to fill the lower lakes more!
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I think the snub nose are called (TRUBS), a cross between the trout and the chub.[]
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Nope ... no charge to park at the marina. In fact, if I remember right, there is a sign there that states that there are currently no charges.
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