Officially a Gumpy Old Man

[SkunkedAgain]

Maybe Karma does work once and a while.

Yup just like you mentioned their fishing wasn’t very good and they didn’t stay long. I think the blizzard might have helped with that. Their shelter wasn’t very big for that many to fish in. And they didn’t last long, too bad they ruined our bite, but we had already had a great morning. Plus I needed help to get me to quit anyway. Takes a long time to pick up when I set up in this mode. I was two hours from start to pick up until I got home that’s about 20 minutes away. Later Jeff

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I try to keep a respectful distance from other people when setting up. What do you all think that distance should be?

Ya know that really depends on the location, at Willard north marina, I think the distance is a lot less than other spots. When the bite is in a small area I think it’s more acceptable to fish closer, but I also think you need to be quiet and don’t spook the fish.

You can probably tell I’m getting to be an ice auger snob. I hate gasser drills with a passion. Electric is so much less intrusive. I’ve seen it so many times where that noise from the gas augers just spooks the fish. So if you use a gas auger limit the holes and time you run the auger and drill early so things can settle down. I have a 10” gas auger and I don’t think I’ve used it in four years because of the noise and bulkiness. Even though I love to use 10” holes to fish for bigger fish.

Anyway I think even in tight areas you should give 50-60’. On big lakes with similar terrain bump that up considerably. If someone is fishing a tabletop or mound on the gorge, move to the next one, unless it’s a big area. Like mentioned most like to fish for the social distancing, don’t break their social bubble. Unless they invite you to join them. Just my take on your question. Later Jeff

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Good on you Jeff, getting your FIL out fishing, under such challenging conditions.  You will be blessed, but probably not in your lifetime.

Thanks Kent, but I am very blessed already. Rich did a wonderful job of raising my sweetheart and I can never repay what she means to me. So I lucked out and did get those blessings in this lifetime. If I can help him find a little happiness it’s a small repayment. Later Jeff

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Good on you for taking him along. Yes you gotta love when people feel they need to be close to someone like that  - seems its just the world we live in anymore.

Ya know they should know better than setting up next to me, with my record and title (SkunkedAgain) they probably could have found a better spot picker to set up next to. But oh well. Later Jeff