Cascade PerchPlatoon

[k2muskie]

What a mission and mission complete!

Leading up to the mission I was having serious second thoughts about going. I burned the scared incense trying to appease the forecasted conditions.

Toiled for several days and finally we made the command decision the K2 gals were in. On the drive up and outside of Boise Mama Nature showed us a potential when a rainbow appeared.

All of us who braved it knew it was going to be an adventure in the worst ice conditions (at least for us) we’ve ever fished in. As a Mike sent me this saying: “I’m not telling you it is going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” It was well worth it no matter what Mama Nature’s raging hormones threw at us.
PerchPlatoons mission members who braved conditions: WyoGuy, his nephew (Rowdyfish), PIKEMAN99 and his friend Eljay (unsure of his BFT name) us two ole gals and our MuskieMulisha dear friends from Boise John and Lois and Mike Hall. Mike was the forward observer who had been up there all week braving Mama Nature while putting perchzillas on the deck providing scouting recon intel.

We all arrived safely Thursday and met at Tackle Toms to get licenses, info, a few additional lures and just chit chat with Tom. Mike comes in after a few hours fishing and provided a fishing tease for us all with a few very nice Perchzillas one going over 2lbs.

Got out on the ice Friday roughly 0930 conditions were snow that turned into rain and it rained, rained, and did I say RAIN all day Friday but we all persevered. Ice was very safe 20 plus inches of clear ice with 2-4” of water and 6-8” of pure slush. All the sleds and Mike’s side-by-side made it out and back from various locations. At least I believe we all know with those conditions what the ice chariots can do. []

I decided not to tempt the fate fairy and we fished with John and Lois. Leaving the sled parked walked onto ice from Crown Point. Got some nice keeper Perch 10-12” and Kay nailed a nice 14” on a #2 jig’n rap green tiger UV. She had to do the arm dive as the Perch came off right at the top of the hole. She also iced a nice little Rainbow on a #3 jig’n rap glow Perch that was a titch under 2lbs. Her Perch weighed in at 1.70 lbs at Tackle Toms. WyoGuy, RowdyFish, PIKEMAN99, and Eljay all took machines out on ice and fished where we did Friday and brought back some VERY NICE PERCHZILLAS.

I have to say YET ONCE AGAIN A BIG THANK YOU to Sharon at the Alpine Lodge/Motel. This lady bends over backwards for us on each and every visit. This trip being our thrid. She made dinner for us when we all got in on Friday. Cooked homemade chili, burritos and honey corn bread. WOW!!! Delicious and YUMMIE. Again we were allowed to clean our fish and even dry our ice fishing outer gear using their laundry room and storing our fish in their freezer. Where else has one stayed that allowed fish cleaning, using their dryers and storing fish again in their freezer plus I believe Justin helping Eljay with his sled. Outstanding accommodations from awesome downright genuine nice folks who truly make one feel like family. Matter-o-fact the whole town of Cascade all the folks are sincere and very friendly.

I also want to say THANK YOU Mike Hall for the SBF (Sonic Baitfish) lures and tips and also providing info on where to fish and going out with us on Friday. For me anyways, I just used the SBF and caught my PB Perchzilla along with other very nice Perch on this lure. Also THANK YOU PIKEMAN99 for the treats along with WyoGuy…oh Gary thanks for beverages and betting with me…haha.

So alls I can really say is what a trip what a great bunch of folks we got to share this adventure with. Kay and I want to say THANK YOU for the great time and totally awesome company…can’t wait until next year’s adventure…let the planning begin NOW!!!
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[PIKEMAN99]

I'd like to second what was mentioned above. I also would like to add that Magnaman and I and Wyoguy and Rowdyfish caught our biggest Perch on Maniacs Gazillas in crazy glo orange. Wow what a good time pounding Perch. I can't wait to get back. And yes....Sharon..Can COOK!!!! yes thank you to k2muskie
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[wyoguy]

As the old saying goes, a good time was had by all! As K2 mentioned, the weather and conditions were less than desirable, but when you start pulling perch like these through the hole, it's easy to forget all the minor discomforts. The motel and staff really treat their guests great! Where else will they let people use the dryers to dry out coats and wet pants, much less the owner was out in the rain for an hour or more helping Magnaman get his sled going.
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[k2muskie]

Agreed Gary the great friends and just DOING IT was well worth anything that Mama Nature dealt out. Can you say PERCHED for them ZILLAS...sure would be nice if Utah could once again have this quality of panfish kin to the Walleye. I know some say there needs to be a limit on Cascade. However and I'm no fish biologist for panfish and limits there is based on my novice knowledge more likelihood of stunting growth. Including Cascade is a huge body of water (3 times the size of Willard if not more) with plenty of nutrients. Plus from what we saw and our catching every type of year class Perch is in there.

OBTW looking at one more trip in the very near future. Will be watching the weather forecasts and there is a downward trend in temps thus far...[][]
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[perchound]

WOW!!! CONGRATS to all you guys and gals for a fine lookin pile of perch and braving the elements. Kinda makes me forget about utah perchin. I'd like to join up with ya on the next trip if I can get off work. Last time I fished with Gary was at starvy last year and it was nothing like this.

Anyway, good job and thanks for making me jealous.
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[rowdyfish]

Well said K2! I am employed in a line of work that makes you question mankind at times. The people of Cascade (especially the folks at the Alpine Lodge) have renewed my faith in mankind and reminded me of how nice folks can be.

The fishing was fantastic and I caught my personal best perchzilla. I would also like to give a shout out to the K2 gals, magnaman, pikeman99, Uncle wyoguy, team Grimm, Mike Hall, Tackle Tom's and the Folks at the Alpine, your company made the trip! Can not wait to get back on them perch!
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[magnaman]

[fishin]Hello k2muskie, what an exciting post. Thanks so much for all the pictures. It was an exciting perch trip. The best I've ever had in my life. Everybody was good people.I 'll be staying at the Alpine Lodge all the time I go there I've never met such good people. And thanks for the use of your table.
I would of included you in my post but I could'nt remember your BFT name. And I did'nt want to use your real name.
Let me know when you go again. Maybe I'll be able to go along as well.
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