Willard Ice Breaker 2/8/06

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Just hadda get my tube in da watta. Believed the reports. Headed for Willard ready to rumble with some crappies, wipers, wallies or whatever. No pride, just anxious.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe and I rolled up to the North Marina about 9 AM. Air temp 23. Still major ice on the eastern 2/3 of the marina. Walked out on the docks on the south side. Evidence of fishing through holes drilled around the docks, but the ice looked about 2". No thank you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There had been open water from the ramp out into the lake. Skim ice for about 50 yards out from the ramp this morning. Having broken through my share of skim ice before, we launched the tubes and started rocking our way towards the open water channel.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Made good progress for the first few feet. Then the skim ice turned into 1/4" ice and then 1/2" ice. It finally became about an inch thick within a few yards of the open water in the channel. Both TubeBabe and I were kicking and rocking and rolling, side by side, trying to break the ice up. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We were stopped dead by the thicker ice. Then, I developed major muscle spasms in the hamstring areas of both legs. Game over. I managed to thrash my way back to the ramp, stood up and worked out the knots and decided to bag it. The breeze coming in from the lake looked like it was going to finish the job we started before we left.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We did meter some fish at all depths out to about 16 feet, where our forward progress ended. We vertical jigged with a few different jigs and baits but no bites.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There were a few folks that came and went over on the docks while we were playing icebreakers. Nobody stayed long.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Water temp was 36 and the air temp just the same as we drove off to Taco Bell. Got a lot of exercise, but no fishing. Make that a LOT of exercise. Shoulda launched off the point in open water but that wouldn't have been half as much fun. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It was a pretty morning and we got to watch a couple of bald eagles flying around.[/#0000ff]
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[road]

Hey old timer what you really needed for ice breakers are the old donuts. Them new fancy snacy V-tubes don't have any breakin power. LOL Now an old gaint Bucks Bag.... that'll break that ice in a hurry. I know this feela who had one but got tired of it. Passed it down to this poor ole soul who has put it to use for the past 3 years.

Nice report though too bad the few ya marked had lock jaw.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I guess it's true. Some folks got more guts than brains. I resemble that remark.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I agree with ya on the icebreakin' ability of that big Bucks Bag tube. When it was aired up tight, it had crunch power. The pointy end on the Fat Cat kinda wimps out on the backward rock. The weight displacement in the higher seating FC is different too. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Glad you gave ol Buck a good home. It probably whimpers a lot since you took up with the toon.[/#0000ff]
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[Theekillerbee]

Unless your new craft is rigged for ice breaking, i'd advise against it! Silly TubeDude! Thanks for the update on the big bad W anyways.
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[fsh4fun05]

Is it possible to get into the south marina, still closed? Also, when I've been out there on ol' buttercup (used to call it baby poop mustard, just didn't jingle though)[crazy]-my boat-I've seen people fishing north and south shores on foot but they were pretty far west. What's on the other side of the bathtub? Are there roads that go back there. I'd like to hit the south southwest shoreline for a couple hours, but don't know if I can get back there, holy cow I'm rambling.
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[road]

The ole gal whimpers a bit now. But I had her out last month, don't think the toon can handle ice breakin yet. Hmmm I could attach a V- plow to the back to break ice.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Man, Pat, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you are hardcore, dude!!! Just couldn't wait to get into that early Spring crappie bite, eh? I know of a little spot at Utah Lake where the p.m. bite is pretty good[], but you'll have to leave the tube at home and bring your auger! I'm headed there this Saturday p.m. You're (and so's Tubebabe) invited if you aren't already booked...I'll be arriving at around 2:00 just in time to get set up for the late afternoon feeding frenzy.
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[wiperhunter2]

The south marina in years past has not opened until April or May but you can give them at call at 435-734-9494 and find out when they open this year. As you are headed to the South marina, going West from Smith & Edwards, continue going west instead of turning North to the marina, once you go past the farm house the pavement turns to dirt and makes a right, if you keep following the road it will go all the way around to the light pole but the road gets bad after the S/W corner. I hope these directions make sense, good luck if you go out there. WH2
TD- your a tough guy,breaking ice just to do a little fishing. Its too bad the ice was so thick, it would have been interesting to find out if the fish were biting this early in the year. I hope you have better luck next time. In a few more weeks we can take my boat out and give it a try if you want, if nothing else, it would be easier to break the ice with my boat, LOL.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]We stopped by Smith and Eddies to make our donations and then drove by the South Marina for a looksee. The gates are closed and a sign says "Closed For Season". I have been told that is until April 1.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is a dirt road that goes out onto the north dike, but I think it is closed to the public. In the "olden days", I used to trudge clear out to the end, to fish off the rocks. Got lots of crappies, walleyes and cats. Started catching big cats as soon as the ice came off or about mid February. Heres a pic of a batch of cats taken off the north dike, inside the channel in early spring.[/#0000ff]

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[#0000ff]If you follow the road that goes by the entrance to the south marina, to the north, it winds around and there is a dirt road that goes out along the dike to a point about halfway between the two marinas. You can park and walk up over the dike to fish along the rocks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is also a "road" that goes around the south and west sides of the lake. I did not check it on this trip, but I am guessing it might require a Humvee or tracked vehicle to get into right now. It is bad during dry months, with deep ruts and potholes. When it is filled with snowmelt or heavy rain, you don't even wanna try it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]However, the fishing along the rocks can be great around the other sidesof the lake. Where the road ends, near the "light pole", it can be very good for walleye during the "run". At other times of the year you can often get into a few wipers, if they venture close to the rocks chasing shad. Almost always good for a few kitties.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Yeah, Geoff, I know exactly where your crappie "hotspot" is, and I heard how you "slaughtered" them on your last trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The crappies there move in and out. If you hit them right, you can load up (at least some people can). But, you can't catch them where they ain't. Crappie fishing is often more about hunting than fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are going where I think you are going, you might wanna take your tube. If there is still any ice left, it will probably be thin enough to let you do some icebreaking of your own. Could even be open water by now, but I am guessing it will be thin ice.[/#0000ff]
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[Troll]

Sorry you didn't make the channel. Were there any spots across the marina (South side) that looked like you could get to. In your pic it looks like it might be worth a try from that side. Did you drive around to check the south beach? Is the whole lake open?
I really started liking Willard last year, with water it's a great fishing hole. I've never fished it early for kats, I'm not much of a cat fisherman, but those 12 to 15 inch walleys I released buy the hundreds last year should be ready soon.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Yeah, it was open off the rocky area at the end of the point on the south side. We could have casted out from shore or launched the tubes there too. But, masochism prevailed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The whole area from the point of the marina outlet around Pelican Beach (to the south) was open water, right up onto the sand. As you can see in the attached pic, all of the water out around the little island is open too. Beautiful and glassy early. Almost looked like ice, but it was open.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On the north side (Eagle Beach???), there were a couple of areas that had a little skim out from shore, but the beach was all open.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I agree on the walleyes. Love to load up with some of those tasty little morsels this time of year. That was one of my main objectives. I am guessing that if the daytime temps keep getting in the forties or above, it will not be long until all the ice is gone.[/#0000ff]
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Yep...the crappies didn't want my bigger jigs at all. When I finally switched to tiny rat finkees, the bite had stopped. Darn my stubbornness, I tell ya! That was the first time I've been skunked on the ice this year. I always seem to have my worst luck when fishing next to bassackward, LOL!

Thanks for the warning about the ice there. I might bring my tube then as a backup and go kick out to the bubble up and try for some early 'eyes, whities and cats. Can't do any worse than I did last time, and I guess If I'm by myself then I'll have better luck then fishing next to Mike, LOL!
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[BassAckward]

Geoof, all I have to say is your number 1 in my book. In fact I am hold up one finger just for you.
Now pat you are one hell of a guy to break the ice with your backside/tube. I guess that is one way to get rid of unwanted luggage. Back to fishing me and you (pat) need to go fishing here soon. As for geoff tring to blame me for him not being able to catch fish. That is total BS he can't seem to even realy land many no matter whom he is fishing with even himself.

good hunting boys I will not be able to fish till the 25th at least
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The time is nigh approachin' for some semi serious floatin'. If I could only find a good connection for a battery so I can get motorized on my pontoon.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Speaking of fingers. I once heard it said that whenever you point the finger of blame at someone else, there are three more fingers pointing back at you. Not sure if that is too heavy for the "Chicken Spritester" or not, but it sounded good to me.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If, by "unwanted baggage" you are referring to my float tuber's "onboard food reserve" (abdominal fat), I am sure that I burned a few calories yesterday. In addition to the great "elliptical" workout (kicking), I did a lot of rock and roll action. I could feel the burn in my abs. I still don't have a "six pack" but my keg should be shrinking.[/#0000ff]
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[trollinfool]

Can't blame ya fer tryin er out, I have a serious wiper jones goin'. Can't wait for things to pick up out there, while ice fishun is fun i have a better time out trollin. When this cold stuff is done (hurry up spring!) Willard will probly be one of the first lakes i hit. At least i'll have the steelhead run on the Salmon riv to to practice reelin in the biguns with until then.
I'll have to break out the ol Water Skeeter this year again, it's still on my list to hit a Wiper and a wally on the fly, seems the tube is the best way to present from, anyone ele ever hit em' on a fly?
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Wipers hit flies well, when you can find the fish and reach them with a cast. We have several members who wave a fairy wand at them. Almost any large white pattern works. The key is to let it sink and then strip it back in fairly fast.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Late summer, when wipers are chasing shad and boiling on the surface is the ideal time for flinging flies. With a "powered" pontoon you can search for boils and chase them down. It is pure luck if you get into a boil while in your tube, but you can often pick up a few just by working down the dikes and working the fly close to the rocks, for the fish that are foraging in close.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wipers also come into both the north and south marinas, chasing shad. Last year there were quite a few evenings when boils developed right off the ramps. That usually happens just before dark.[/#0000ff]
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[trollinfool]

Thanx TD! See ya on the Water.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Ouch! That's pretty harsh, man! Hey, you wanna go to Sportsman's at lunch today? Need to get some good weigted bobbers (and maybe some more corky's too) for my possible solo-floatilla tomorrow at UL if I don't go up to Mantua for one last ice trip...
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[BassAckward]

Call me geoff when the time comes. I am so tiered up today at work I don't know from one min to the next what ai am doing. When the time comes and I am able to I would be willing to go. By the way how is the wife doing?
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