The plan for today was to hit the backwaters of Pool 8 for some tip-up action to try and find some Northern Pike. The mission was successful, but pretty slow.
Dodge Boy and myself had made plans earlier in the week to target northerns using tip ups in the quickly disappearing ice in the backwaters. Dodge pulled some aerial photos of the area to try and find some out of the way and unpressured sloughs with hopes of finding a 40+" northerns. As you can see in the photo, he came close with a 33" fish which was also the biggest of the day.
J_Ericks also came out later in the day to join us on the action. Dodge and myself had already had numerous flags and several smaller fish iced by the time Jeff showed up. Dodge and Jeff set up 2 more tip-ups for Jeff while I watched the others in case there was a flag. Within 5 minutes of getting Jeff’s tip ups out, he gets a flag and lands a decent pickling sized fish.
We were fishing in 4 fow with not much for ice. The ice is quickly deteriorating along the shorelines. In the spot we were in today, you had to use a log just to get to the ice from the shore. As the day wore on, the ice kept getting thinner and thinner. We actually had to move all our tip ups because we couldn’t get to them without getting wet. Here is a picture of what the shorelines in our area look like. If you are planning on getting out, use a spud and check the ice ahead of you. These warm days are really taking a toll on the ice.
Way to go guys. Dodge can do some pickling now
Nice fish
nice work
Good report Wats
Nice Report….
I think I know where that laydown is
It’s right by that tree that makes a Y.
Nice report Mr. Watson!
Nice report Wats! I didn’t know you were staff now. Congratulations sir!
dd
Thanks guys
The report thing took a little tweeking. When it was first posted Dodge was standing on his head 
Very nice wats! maybe we could meet up sometime and do some gilln’ or fish some tip ups. looks like you guys had fun out there!
Nice job Wat’s
Wish we could have got you a better pike, but you are the man of hammer handles 
That slough does look oddly familiar?
I thought you would have put that in the report
Let’s hope I can do that dance a few times on sat.
You guys know the sloughs all to well.
My first guess was goose, but now i am thinking different 
Nice fish boys!!! Way to go dodge!!! Keep it up. Ted
Nice report Wats, if that ice holds I would think the pike fising should really pick up. Sounds like some colder weather is on the way finally
Nice report Wats!
Looks like it was a good time
dave
Hey Wats, Congrats on the promoiton to IDA Field Staff. I am sure the offical cap, and jacket are in the mail
Like Slop, Me thinks that I may know where that tree makes a Y too!
Yeah Wats…..where’s the pics of the official Field Staff fleece pullover?
I will have it posted when the wife gets home. I am wearing it right now
