Went and checked Hyrum this afternoon and its rotted out will be open water soon. No ice fishing for me tomorrow. Later J
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well thanks - for nuthin! (except saving me some gas!)
So, uh, do ya think that puts Porky out of the picture? [crazy]
With these temps, and the warmest winter I can remember, it puts ALL lakes out of the picture.
Start getting your catfishing rods ready.
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John I just took my boat over to Lees to get it worked on and decided since I was that close, I'd go check the ice. The warden at the ramp said he tried stepping on it at swim beach and it buckled under him. Plus it was 20' from the ramp to what ice was there so I'm done. I never even rode up to Porky this winter but I didn't ever get the idea it had gotten a good cap where I like to fish. I heard it was still open in the middle and that's where I find the Kokes so I didn't go check it yesterday. It's a scary pond, the edges get deep so fast that you go over your head a couple steps from shore. Anyway I had putting my toon together and setting up my cat rods in mind for the day. Was going to try a cat trip and get my first skunk over with, but this wind is so wild I haven't even tried yet. Maybe later on. J
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What do you think Derek is this really spring? I'm having a tough time believing we didn't have a real winter. I think it seems like the season has broken, but I don't trust it's going to get nice and stay that way. Later J
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I think we'll have some normal cold temps again, for a couple of weeks. Last of Feb and early March is my guess. But the lakes won't refreeze to safe conditions.
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Jeff, it ain't spring yet. I think we'll still get a few weeks of 'colder' weather. But this winter has to go down as the warmest winter in my 47 years on this blue marble.
Makes you wonder what this summer will be like. Could be a scorcher.
Cutler is beginning to slowly fill back up, as the draw-down has been completed. I'm hoping it didn't affect the cats too terribly.
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Drove to Porky today, open water in the middle. Ice looks soft everywhere else and you would have to swim 10 to 20 yards to get to it.
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This is nuts. I'm sitting hear in a short sleeve shirt fishing like its May except the bite is slow. I did have a nibble or two but no real takers yet. I know it's too early to call it summer, but sure is nice today. Later J
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Hey Derek I'm just sitting here watching my bait soak and not believing the calendar. Hey Cutler is full and at least the carp have found their way back into the shallows today. Nothing on cutbait but a few nibbles on the nightcrawlers. Maybe I need to float it instead of fishing bottom. Later J
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I hope you get a few fish!
Even if you don't...heck, you're fishing! Not much better than that buddy.
Give Cutler Drainage some time and I bet it will be on before too long. Always tough to find 'em when they're not moving around.
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Well got my first skunk taken care of. Lots of carp jumping but no bait takers other than two nibbles that didn't take a hold. But it was a nice afternoon and I got a couple hours of sunshine and a little burn so it's all good. Later J
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If John opens the contest on March 15th, let's plan on grabbing Mike and whomever else wants to join us for our maiden catfishing trip of the Spring.
Time to change the mono and maybe get a new reel for the ugly stick.
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Hey I'm game for that. As slow as I found the fishing today, I'm probably ok with March 15 as opening day. I'm wondering if we ought to go get a burger at center street and sit around the table and figure out how we can help John out a little so this doesn't put too much load on his shoulders. I know he's really busy with work this time of year and I think it sounds like lots of interest in the contest this year. I like the many hands make light work principal and they usually do an ok job too.
I changed the mono on my cat poles today and what a mess. I have been using braid and had forgotten how unruly 15 Lb mono can be on small spooled reels. I hope it tames down or I might have to go get me some new braid. It keeps springing off the spool even when I'm not casting. Oh well it worked. Later J
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They were fishing out of boats yesterday
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How quickly things change. Were they catching many? J
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[quote lavaman]Jeff, it ain't spring yet. I think we'll still get a few weeks of 'colder' weather. But this winter has to go down as the warmest winter in my 47 years on this blue marble.
Makes you wonder what this summer will be like. Could be a scorcher.
Cutler is beginning to slowly fill back up, as the draw-down has been completed. I'm hoping it didn't affect the cats too terribly.[/quote]
Not sure when you were out last, but I went by Benson marina a few weeks back, and seemed like a full pool. Open water under the bridge and the channel, but the launch area was still iced in. By now, not sure.
I like the idea of a Center st meet and eat!
Sounds like Mar 15th is looking to be the target. Need to go over the rules, and get a post up.
I'd expect Jack frost and Suzie snowflake aren't done with us yet.
So, team totals of top 10 fish. How about individual? 3 still, or bump to 5? Thoughts.
If it was me, I'd keep it at top 3 fish individually. Keeps it consistent and keeps it simple. Less work for you.
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I agree with Derek at top 3 individually and top 10 per team. This way it takes at least 4 fishermen or women from each side to make the team score and one person can't carry the whole team. Just helps keep more people interest and participating after the top dogs start catching the 30"er's. BTW I seen a guy on Facebook with a 30" Utah Lake cat last weekend. Don't know if he was a BFT'er or not.
I'm game for the burger meet, but probably not this weekend. Better take my wife out so I get those kitchen passes later on. Later J
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Not to derail this thread, as I do think it is taking an interesting direction, but...[
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I happened to look at the Hyrum Dam Cam today, and clicked on the picture, which then opened in a new tab. I forgot it was open, and checked again later, also clicking on the picture which opened in a new tab. It was interesting over time to see what appeared to be a large gap form in the ice. All credit for the photos goes to Hyrumdamcam.com, but if there was any question about safe ice, I think it is answered in these photos.
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