Strawberry report & Deer Creek Help

[Fishbob]

Howdy all, been meaning to report on some Ice fishing trips to Strawberry for some time now. I have been fishing the Soldier Creek side this year and and have done OK. First trip was the annual New Years trip. Arrived around 8am was out on the ice and set up by 8:30. Started fishing in 15 fow and had a few bites right off but the fish did not show me any love as I couldn't hook up. Then it went dead. Nothing for nearly an hour. Thought about packing up and heading to Starvation, but decided to move to another spot instead. Only moved about 100 yards down the arm and set up off a point. Took a few trys to find the right depth with the trusty hand auger, but set up again in 15 fow and had action immediately. Put the ice tent up and sight fished the rest of the day with near constant action. Mainly bows with a few cutts mixed in. A lot of the bows were small, but since I could watch what was happening I would just pull the jigs away from the smaller ones and only try to hook the bigger fish as much as I could. Ended up icing 30 plus for the day, with the biggest cutt going 23". Turned out it was the last fish of the day. Great way to end the first day of fishing in 2013.

I was using two poles with second pole permit and had a pole go right down the hole while I was taking another fish off. Bummer!! But then lady luck d on me as I could see it on the bottom and was able to drill a few holes and snag it off the bottom. Fish was gone. Too bad, but at least I didn't lose a pole. Tying it to the bucket now.

My most recent trip was on the 9th. Had obligations in the morning so my boy and I didn't make it until about 2pm. Things were slow until a bit after 4pm and then the bite started to heat up. Mostly little bows, but enough action to keep us entertained. When it was slow we fished up a couple crawfish off the bottom.

Here is vid of some clips we took at Soldier Creek on your trips. Sorry about the
all the camera moving around. I need to get a gopro or a buddy to shoot video for me. Kinda tough to film with one hand and bring a fish in with the other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla...KMoZD71RDw

Wish I could get out more, but this time of year work won't allow it.

I am taking a group of scouts ice fishing this Saturday and we decided to go to Deer Creek because of proximity and because some of the boys have basketball games. Got to work on their priorities. I have not fished much on Deer Creek and have not been on the ice there this year. We will be camping at the state park by Wallsburg bay. Any information anyone is willing to share that will help me put these boys on some fish would be greatly appreciated. Most of them have never been ice fishing before so any fish caught would be exciting for them. Thanks in advance and may the big one find your line!
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[Flyfishinglover]

Trust me you don't want to go fishing on Deer creek. I went there on Monday and not even a nibble. I fished from 16'-55' and ya it showed some fish but nothing that wanted any thing. Talked to quite a bit of people and they also said it sucked.
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[Jackalope]

Awesome report,

I think just getting the boy's out fishing is accomplishing a lot, yeah catching fish definitely helps. If there like my scouts they won't fish long, and just play in the snow. But they won't ever for get going ice fishing.

Try just north east of the island about 20-25yrd from the shore.
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[Fishbob]

FFL thanks for the headsup on the slow fishing at Deer Creek. Was not my first choice. The boys took a vote and decided on Deer Creek because it was close and so more of the troop could make it. I am sure they will have fun, just hope the weather cooperates.

Jlp thanks for the island tip. Does anyone know how fishing has been in the Wallsburg arm or near the campground at the state park? That is where we will be camping. Would be nice not to have to pack up and move to find some fish if there is any action in the area. But I am willing to try where ever to try and get the boys some success.
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[drnympho]

I have tried dc about 4 times this year in various spots with nothin. Only saw 1 fish get caught in all those trips. Good luck. I'd say go by the island and do some sledding off it. At least that will keep em entertained.
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[Fishbob]

Thanks for the input. Will go with low expectations so any action will be a bonus.
Will report on how we do.
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[Fishbob]

Not much of a shocker that we got the skunk at Deer Creek. Without any action the boys soon lost interest and were off to other things - sleding, watching the deer and generally doing what boys do. Over all we still had a good time. Next time we will focus more on the fishing on go where the action is.
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[Jackalope]

The skunk stinks. Sounds like the boys still had fun.
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