If you were able to brave the winds the last couple of days 12/5-6/08, you might have found yourself on a good bite Friday but, a bite that was finicky on Saturday. There were still some nice fish to be had, it just took a lot more finesse getting the bigger ones to open there pie holes 
Mike C and I peeled out of work noonish Friday to hit one of the community holes that neither of us has fished for some time now. The plan was to find some bull gills being Jeff Jensen and TJ91 were on there way up Saturday.
With a 19mph South wind Mike and I bee lined for a cut between the flats in an area we sometimes hit just right. After a few moves which put us only 40 yards from where we started it was game on 
The playing field was in 6-7fow. Fishing in 5fow or tight to the bottom in deeper water only produced one watch fob after another. Keeping a Clown Gill Pill tipped with a piece of red worm 5 foot under the ice was the trick to pull a nice red mark on the LX-5. Too get a reaction for the good, it only took a slow rise once the fish was on the jig. The bite was hard at that point and the St Croix rod was doubled over. The quality of these gills was awesome with fish running from 8-9 inches with a bonus 10inch bull 
By 4:00 we both had are fun and ran out of patience due to a relentless wind 
The walk off was long and cold but the anticipation of being on a good bite again Saturday morning kind of left a warm feeling …..until
Saturday morning we were greeted with a 23mph North wind gusting just over 30 
Welcome to open country Jeff and TJ But at least on a good note, the temperature was dropping and the barometer was rising, at a rapped rate to boot 
The way across the ice did make for a couple good laughs…..thanks TJ and Mike. It was at this point we all stopped and put the creepers on 
Once at the spot we didn’t mess around and everyone was set up in no time. Right off TJ and Jeff were on fish. It took myself, Mike and good friend Dave an adjustment before we were actually on bigger fish.
The Clown Gill Pill was still the ticket for me but it had to be down sized, also tipped with a waxie instead of red worm. The other thing it didn’t take long to figure out while watching the MarCum……you needed to be dropping the bait instead of bring it up and, the bite was very light. Gotta love the spring system on them St Croix rods.
Not as many fish were caught as the day before but with perseverance a bite could be bought from one of the stubborn Bulls cruising the cut.
With an overnight change in the weather pattern I think we all knew it was going to be tough. Keeping confident and believing what was being seen on the MarCum’s kept everyone throwing baits and changing presentations hoping for one more piggy
It was tough going but still a lot of fun on the ice once again with friends.
Chime in Jeff, TJ and Mike….You better have some pics guys
Hope you guys got off the ice OK
Bonus pics
The first 2 are Mike C and myself with a couple bonus toads for perch.
The others are random.
I like the first outside shot, It’s Mike playing in the wind
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Then the crew set up in the cut.
One thing about community holes, the fish can be there one day then gone another.
Good luck fishing people
I knew you were out there somewhere guys but the weather made it hard to see
Great Report Brett !!!
What size Pill is that in the pic ?
I like good questions
In hand is a #12. I down sized to the #14 Saturday.
Not sure my peepers can deal with number 16 anymore
Great to see you guys again and many thanks for the prefishing
The first hour was good, I’d say over half of our good gills came during that time. We only gutted it out until 2 pm. The small fish were getting a little greedy at the end so we decided to call it. Even in a warm shack it was still pretty tough dealing with those gusts. Not the best of conditions but still a great feeling being out on the hard stuff again.
Mixing it up was the only way to go today. The bite started well on the red worms then midday the waxies and spikes took over. Ended up downsizing to a very small cadis cane and then it was fairly consistant.
Hopefully next time we hook up the weather will cooperate so we can hole hop and shoot the breeze………more our style
Thanks a ton Bret and Mike, had a hoot!
Ok, that first pic wasn’t pool 8 but Mil Lacs last February.
Nice jumbo Bret. How did you like the sneak picture buddy? Lucky I didn’t catch ya nappin
man were they finicky.
The lx5 proved it’s worth once again,
Ya dude…you took me by surprise
I have heard the words “reach around” before….but this is the first time I have heard of and seen the reach under 
Great report Bret! And beautiful fish!!
Nice fish guys
Some of those pics are pretty cool with the wind blwong the snow
screw that wind! I’m a big guy, and I got a free ride back to shore…..I just opened my jacket and held on!! I sailed all the way in
It was brutal out there. I had a blast, and it was great to get back to some serious ice-fishing!!
Great to see both Mike and Brett again! I’m sure I/we will be back again! Hope you guys can make it down here some day!
nice report
i found the fishing friday also better than today, got a meal of 8-9 inch gills with a couple football perch on pool 5 
many northerns swimming around which would stop the action in a hurry 
as always use caution in days like this…cold and very windy.
today needed the bait downsize and fish were to be had. it was crazy at times with the wind gusts my hat off to the people that ventured out
Bret, your ice reports and the quality of fish always amaze me
Ron
It was a blast guys – the wind that is.
Great to fish with you again Jeff, TJ91, Dave and Bret. I agree Jeff we need to find a day when we can fish outside, on a bucket and visit. It sure was a different bite today than it was on Friday afternoon when Bret and I played hookie. 
Early in the day I had my best action on a clown Diamond jig, then it switched to the Green one and then the Froggie. Switching up seemed to work the best early on. Later on I started using some Moxie (sp?)jigs with orange being the color. I think the little spoons on them must have gotten their attention. I had to really pound them though in order to get any kind of action. Trying that one shallower area with some weeds showed fish there but they were pretty secure and satisfied to stay in them and not bite.
I couldn’t believe that guy on the bucket near us for at least two hours. That had to be cold today, brrrrrrr! A day like today is a good test of equipment and patience. Thankfully we don’t have them too often. With the ice continuing to thicken we should be in for a nice long winter to enjoy fishing on “hard water”.
Thanks again Jeff, TJ91, Dave and Bret for another great adventure.
The first pic is Jeff and TJ91 setting up and the next one Bret and Dave battling the gusts to get set up.
I couldn’t believe that guy on the bucket near us for at least two hours. That had to be cold today, brrrrrrr!
That was one hard core dude Mike
Coming off the ice we met three guys going out. No shack and one guy was wearing blue jeans……wonder how long they lasted?
Nice Bulls Bret….How was that snosuit with the wind? Did you even notice the wind with that suit on?
Any other colors work? Or was clown the ticket?
Them gills are huge and the guts on the perch WOW. Those fish are eating good.
We had a lot of wind today also.
Them gills are huge and the guts on the perch WOW. Those fish are eating good.
We had a lot of wind today also.
Very Nice.
The hospitality of that stretch or river road is second to none. It’s like our second home and I struggle to leave every time. 
Our Ice is just about ready. I might try a few channels tomorrow afternoon. Then the gear is getting packed for the hike up north.
I hope that is a good thing Ron
Thanks for the words of encouragement 
Jeff, chime in on your sno suite……..I can say Jeff was the only one that spent sometime outside bouncing around causing a ruckus, when Jeff is around it doesn’t hurt to have eyes in the back of your head
Gill Pills in Fire Tiger and White/ Black caught fish.
A Lime Chartreuse Glow Brite Demon caught fish
Lil Cecil Silver Glitter caught fish
But the Clown was the only color I caught anything 8 inches or plus on.
Darker colors were a bust for me, such as purples, reds and black.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and reply
Nice report Bret, Mike & Jeff.
A couple of those bluegills are just huge. And some really nice perch to boot but that wind does look brutal.
You guys must have had to anchor your shacks down in that wind.
Great job and fun read!
The reds,purples and blacks were dissapointing Bret, usually on overcast days they are a pretty solid choices.
What more can be said about th sno-suit that hasn’t already been touched on.
You do have to be careful and utilize the breather panels when setting up or making a long trek as you’ll sweat up very fast. I talked to Mike C for about ten minutes outside of his fishtrap, wind was not a factor. I have to add that after one full season the suit is getting broke in and keeps getting more comfortable with time. Far and away the best garments I have ever worn! .Check out the sno suits right here!
Nice fish guys!
On my Pro shack the wind was picking up the front end like it wanted to fold it back in the closed position
so I got out once to bank some snow on the flaps in front to keep it down and then the back end started picking up, sled and all and rolling towards the front. 
You couldn’t win. 
It was definately an experience. 
Nice Fish Bret. We are just getting into full swing down here, starting to see some decent fish coming out now.
Hey Bret,
We saw your truck down there Saturday Morning….Ended up with basically the same report – a bunch of 7-8″‘ers and 1 big 10″bull. We were getting a bunch of perch as well but not as big.
That wind and slippery ice got the best of the slopster though as my feet flew up over me and I hit hard on the ice while we were setting up
I’m still sore 
Felt good to lay the hammer down on some pannies though.
Good to hear you 2 were on fish Slop
After we realized TJ and Mike were ok after taking there diggers we busted a gut laughing. I would bet Mike has a sore knee today at the least
Elbow
Oh yeah, I forgot to ask……..are you guys alright?
The only thing Jay did after the fall was to get up and walk faster, not going to slow TJ down this time of year
Very nice fish guys
[quote Oh yeah, I forgot to ask……..are you guys alright?
The only thing Jay did after the fall was to get up and walk faster, not going to slow TJ down this time of year
Oh yea, I’m a fast healer just Reggie White was.
I told Bret that he missed my other 3 diggers – I was sure he heard me laughing but then again in that wind……….. 
Nice Fish Bret! Abe and I were out for a bit on Saturday also. Tough bite. You could see them on the Marcum, but tough to put a hook into them.
Mr. L
Great to see you signed up, welocme to IDO
Great to see ya sign in Mr. L, Abes father?
Fishin’ buddy’s
Great report guys – looks like you had a lot of fun! I hope to get out soon, I don’t make it down that way too often but might have to do some looking around this winter.
Thanks for the great info and pictures!
Where is pool 8 at?
Just so everyone knows…..this question was not ignored. I had the pleasure of telling Walleyeperry the where abouts of pool 8 in my driveway last night
Nice to meet you dude
For anyone still wondering the where abouts of pool 8, It is the pool 8 that runs from Genoa North to Dresbach.
Great Report Brett
Nice Fish
I had brand new creepers on, and took 2 diggers that day!! No idea what was up with that…..but it sucked!
Did you fall Jay? Didn’t notice
Nope… just his fishing buddy.