Forced time off, cheap trip to Henry's.

[hooknhunter]

I just found out that I have to take 2 weeks off over the Holidays. I've decided that I'm going to do an "on the cheap" trip to Henry's next week. Will be the 16th-19th. 3 nights camping on the ice in my shanty, eating cold food or food cooked on a stove on the ice, etc. I'm from the Boise area, so if anyone is interested in making such a trip, let me know.
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[windriver]

I'm sure you already know this but Henrys will be much slower than it is at first ice. The oxygen gets depleted in that shallow lake and the fish get lethargic fast. I will still go a time or two more but its just good to know it will be slower.

Windriver
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[hooknhunter]

I've been the 2nd week of Dec a time or 2 and I felt like my catch rates were just as good as Thanksgiving week. I've never been the 3rd week, but I'll keep that in mind. I appreciate the thoughts. I suppose I could look it up, but when the oxygen starts to deplete, is there more near the surface, or near the bottom? I'm thinking it must be near the bottom. When I've gone the 2nd week I've caught my fish at the bottom while earlier it seems they might be anywhere in the column. I'd appreciate your further thoughts.

Edit: Another downside I'm not looking forward to is more snow on the ice, which will mean less mobility. :-(
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[curt69]

We got 6 " of wet snow in the last 3 hours and still snowing , no wind so it is staking up . I think my 4 wheeler is done up here . Time to buy me a snow machine .
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[windriver]

I don't know the science behind it. I'll ask around I just know I usually have to really pay attention to my spring bobber as the fish just bump it instead of slamming it like first ice. Just my experience. I would love to fish with you but it looks like my kids have wrestling tournaments until the following Monday.

Windriver
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[AverysAdventure]

I have to take 3 weeks off Hook. Dang my luck! Watching the weather reports I'm betting Cascade ice will be in good shape for Christmas week so that's the first one I got off. I'll save the other two weeks for Jan-Feb depending on the bite. Heck I might make the Burbot Bash or dip Cisco this year. I'm jazzed!

Edit - BTW Good luck on your adventure to Henery's
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[hooknhunter]

Thanks on the good luck wishes. Due to the weather and lack of someone to go with me (I need someone to help me stay awake for the drive, and to make me brave at night as I'm afraid of the dark), I may call it off. They are "highly encouraging" my group to take most of our allotted time off during the Dec 21-31 time period. Otherwise, I'd save mine for Jan and Feb like you. I'm actually taking a bit of heat right now because I'm trying to take some of it before the fishing gets any slower at HL and they want me to wait and take it during the Christmas Holiday. I'm going to use if for fishing either way. Just too many places to go....... If the guy that is tentative about going next week comes through then I'll go, otherwise I might wait a week and hit some stuff closer to home. If you want to hit the ice at Cascade together or somewhere else for that matter, let me know.
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[Duck-Slayer]

I'm available if you don't go too HL, [] Avery we need too go fishing also, I owe you a trip in the new boat..... []
Matt
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[ChrisTheFish]

I'll second the Henry's Lake slowing down comment. Mid to late December things usually slow way down. You can still catch fish, but it can make for a long time between bites. Then again, Henry's seems to be all about location and finding the right feeding lanes, so I guess one could still hit the jackpot and have some lights out fishing. Good luck if you go. The fish seem to be bigger in general this year.
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[Bmarsh]

What I have found is that the locations change on where the fish are pretty quickly after the ice comes on. At first Ice they tend to be pretty shallow (3-6' of water) and then about 2-3 weeks after the ice has been on they aren't up in the shallow locations as much. The longer the ice is on the deeper I have gone to keep it consistent. Usually hit the state area early ice and then hit the deeper area on the north end east side (wild rose) to wards Christmas. Also I can't stress it enough. Being there early has been my key to great days over good days. Days I have been on the ice and setup by 7 have usually been my best days. Also getting away from the crowds, that lake is shallow enough that I think the crowds push fish out. Ive had it happen quite a few times where im only fishing 1 rod because the action is so fast early and as soon as the crowds show up it turns off. Don't be afraid to get out and away from everyone all by your lonesome, its a big lake with fish everywhere so no need to be in some ones back pocket.
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