BFT Mini-rally at Starvation 2/22/13

[TopH2O]

We just wrapped a particularly fine day at Starvation with several BFT members and friends. Thanks to Bama Boy and his recent tips, we fished the area near the Indian Bay access and found the perch to be plentiful and willing to hit nearly all day. We met around 0800 and immediately found fish in water between 42 and 52 feet deep. The schools of perch were impressive. We often had fish on our depth finders from the bottom to as much as 15 feet off the bottom. Here's a photo of my Showdown screen showing how thick the perch were most of the day.

[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/ShowdownCUwithperchonscreen022213_zpse91283b2.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/...2213_zpse91283b2.jpg[/url]

Wiperhunter2, DuBob, Wyoguy, friends Joe and Earl and I fished most of the day and I believe when we finished we had around 260 perch between the six of us. Some of us had 50 and some of the group were just short of a 50 fish limit. Plenty of fillet time ahead for this bunch of ice fishermen. Thankfully I can fillet mine in the morning before I go to work. The weather wasn't too bad with mostly sunny conditions and a 10 to 15 mph breeze most of the day. I just sat with my back to the wind and didn't even set up the QuickFish. DuBob chose to fish by himself in the Clam and he wasn't able to socialize with the rest of us old timers.
We took a break for lunch and the guys actually eat the 7 week old perch chowder I've had around since Christmas. I was careful to not let them see that I was eating chicken soup.
[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/JoeGaryBobCurtEarl022213Starv_zpsdf692086.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/JoeGaryBobCurtEarl022213Starv_zpsdf692086.jpg[/url]
[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/Joewithperch022213Starv_zps8be14cba.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/...tarv_zps8be14cba.jpg[/url][

[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/Wyoguywithperch022213_zpsc1f09e0c.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/...2213_zpsc1f09e0c.jpg[/url]

Late in the afternoon one of the State Park Rangers came by to see how we were doing. I was asked for my fishing license for the first time since I was hired by the DWR in 1976. And all you guys thought that Game Wardens never buy licenses. When the Ranger saw the piles of perch, he decided that we were well within our limits and he declined to count the fish.


[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/Earlwithperch022213Starv_zps6ac1840c.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/...tarv_zps6ac1840c.jpg[/url]

It was a fun day with a good bunch of guys. I'm sorry for those folks who were coming but were not able to make it today. It was by far the most consistent perch fishing I've seen at Starvation this winter. I believe unless something drastic happens this summer to change things, next winter could be epic at Starvy for perch which could easily average 10 to 11 inches. I'm really looking forward to next year's ice fishing.

[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/Wiperhunter2Curtwithperch022213Starv_zps806440eb.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/...tarv_zps806440eb.jpg[/url]


[url "http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/topwater52/IMG_4756_zpsedd9dd09.jpg"]http://i212.photobucket.com/...4756_zpsedd9dd09.jpg[/url]
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[PIKEMAN99]

Good job Mike. I am glad you guys had good luck. I would have brang my crew over but I didn't want to crowd you guys. We rode the wheelers out of Rabbit Gulch. We went to the south side of the bridge. With a little searching we found them. Had a pretty productive day. Considering these guys only go once or twice a year. Good luck again on your surgery.
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[rowdyfish]

Looks like a great haul. Wish I could have made it out with you guys this week. Good luck with your treatments. I will be looking forward to fishing with you next winter.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

sorry - had to laugh a bit - you've spent so much wet-water time on that lake, and Bamaboy had his first trip ever there- and he's giving YOU tips! Though - I'll admit, the boys a magnet for nice fish! We've shared a few tips along the way, and always appreciated to know what/where/when worked!
I like your showdown, but his screen shot was more impressive, up down - all around!


Good fun, good fish, good folks - old chowder, what more could you ask for! Oughta call that one shot "The Grey Beards"! teehee.

wish it weren't so danged far away.

So what - no Walleye? Where they hiding!!!

[wyoguy]

It was a fun time for sure. You must not have noticed us dumping the foul tasting chower in the sand, just as well. We look like a pretty rough crowd in those pictures, no wonder we had the bay to ourselves.. I had a lot of knife work when I got home, but thats what I get for out fishing you old guys. Mike, good luck on your procedures, get them out of the way and we can go do it again.
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[wiperhunter2]

Good times for sure[]. No matter how old the chowder, it was good stuff, also want to thank the other guys for bringing their eats. If it wasn't for the fast action on the return to the ice, I think I would have took a snooze after that meal. As we were talking on the ride home we decided the total catch was near 300 perch, two eyes and one trout. Three guys took 50 perch home, the other three took over 40 home and released close to 10 more per person, so that was quite a haul.
Thanks Bama for the location, there must have been a lot of lurkers on your thread before because that area looked like swiss cheese.
I did not measure any over 10 inches and the eyes were small but they were Dubob's and I, first walleye threw the ice. As always it was good to fish with old friends and meet a couple of new ones.
I hope eveything turns out for good for you next week Mike and we get another chance to fish with you before ice off.
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[WaveWolf]

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Oughta call that one shot "The Grey Beards"! teehee.

[#502800]Speaking of that, there should be a badge of honor or something for us old retired duffers, who have seen it all.[/#502800]
[#502800]maybe a little picture of a grey beard or something by the avatar? Just to ID those who don't do weekends.[/#502800]
[#502800][/#502800]
[#502800]Nice going on the perch. [/#502800]
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[k2muskie]

Sure looks like an awesome time. Thinking we'll have to get out that way here in the very near future for sure. Great photos and report with pics glad you all had a great time.
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[Bama_Boy]

Glad you guys had a great day! Hopefully I will be able to make it back over there at least one more time this season. And hopefully we can get into them again like y'all did.
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[TopH2O]

Wyoguy and Rowdy,
Don't count me out just yet. My trip to the Huntsman/ U of U med center this week is for testing and any actual treatments will be several weeks away. Next week is out for ice fishing but the week after it's back to normal winter mode.

Pencil in Tuesday, March 5 for the next trip to Starvation. I'm pretty sure the 18 inches of ice will still be there in 9 days .[]

Thanks to everyone who has sent well wishes on my medical challenges......I really appreciate the kind words. I value all the friendships a great deal.

Mike
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