In terms of tangible results this ice fishing season has been a tough one for me. More than a few skunk outings (chasing lakers on Burntside, walleyes in NW Wisconsin and metro pike with tip ups, to name a few). Basically if I depended on caught fish for sustenance I’d be starving this winter. Not for a lack of investment or effort-but maybe for having too much ambition and trying to tackle too many bodies of water and species. Success catching fish is not the only pathway to having fun on the ice but it sure does help. And in the absence of much success I was frankly questioning my time and financial investment in the winter sport. And then this happened…
29 x 17″ girth! (10.5-11# estimates from the online tables/calculators I’ve seen)
Lest anyone second guess the size I have nothing to gain by fudging the data and I’m a decently big guy ~6’3″ for reference. I tried not to long arm the fish in pictures but I’m not a pro when it comes to catching or posing with big eyes. Quick measurements, a few pics and we let her go to swim and be caught another day.
I personally thanked my wife for letting me fish three days/evenings this last week and a couple of good buddies who played major roles in landing this fish. But wanted to thank my fishing heros James, Pat, Will, the whole IDO gang, Grant of Superior Angling, tha’ Wiebe, LakeForkGuy and all the IDO fisherman who have energized and inspired me this winter (when I’m not trolling this forum I watch youtube videos to pass time on the treadmill)!
Its amazing what one fish can do to change your perspective on an outing, the utility of tipups or even participation in ice fishing;)
Much luv
Rich aka tg
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