10-10-2012, 01:56 PM
Having to retrieve ducks with just waders is a tough way to go. You would need your tube just for safety. The mud out there can be really deep and it is not uncommon to get stuck up to your knees. Having a tube to brace off of and get yourself out can be a real life saver. Tubes can be a real pain to get in and out of on the banks though, even more so with a shotgun in your hands and a bag of dekes to drag along.
What I used to do before I had a dog (Justin used to love watching me do this) was to carry along a stiff ice fishing pole with a bass sized reel full of 8 lb test on it. I made a snagging lure out of a piece of old broom handle and fastened 3 huge treble hooks to it. The biggest trebles I could find. When I knocked a duck down I would cast out past it, then by walking up or down the dike, snag the duck with the lure and retrieve it. It worked great most of the time and sure beat waiting for the wind to blow my ducks to shore. Some times the duck would come off and I would have to cast a couple of times to get it in, but it was way better than getting stuck in the mud.
If you go to Farm. avoid the crowds on the main dike and go in from the south enterance. Once you cross the bridge if you go left there will be fewer people. If you go right, when you get to the 4 corners, keep going straight along the back side of the dump.
As far as walking along the river, I don't live in Heber, so ask around up there. You'll get better information and it's a good way to get invited to hunt private property if you happen to ask the right people.
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What I used to do before I had a dog (Justin used to love watching me do this) was to carry along a stiff ice fishing pole with a bass sized reel full of 8 lb test on it. I made a snagging lure out of a piece of old broom handle and fastened 3 huge treble hooks to it. The biggest trebles I could find. When I knocked a duck down I would cast out past it, then by walking up or down the dike, snag the duck with the lure and retrieve it. It worked great most of the time and sure beat waiting for the wind to blow my ducks to shore. Some times the duck would come off and I would have to cast a couple of times to get it in, but it was way better than getting stuck in the mud.
If you go to Farm. avoid the crowds on the main dike and go in from the south enterance. Once you cross the bridge if you go left there will be fewer people. If you go right, when you get to the 4 corners, keep going straight along the back side of the dump.
As far as walking along the river, I don't live in Heber, so ask around up there. You'll get better information and it's a good way to get invited to hunt private property if you happen to ask the right people.
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