I did it. After months of pure agony and distress, I was able to let it all out in one large, dramatic sigh as one foot passed the other as heel and toe hit ice for the first time this season! As exciting as it is, I’m still grumbling about the extreme weather.
I was fortunate enough to meet some new comrades at the Saint Paul Ice Show who also have endured a long summer of fishing in boats with really long rods.
It certainly is exhilerating to set foot on those first few inches of ice while having the potential for great fishing. I’ll admit it. It still gets to me just a bit when 3 inches cracks and water bounces in the hole as you walk.
I met Nate and Jason near Remer at base camp and welcomed them to a cup of coffee before the day of scouting began. Tuesday was spent looking for good ice in the area and its fair to say that we’re making wonderful progress as most 100 acre lakes we ventured to had a consistent 3 inches followed by what appeared to be 4.5 to 5 Wednesday evening. The cold weather has certainly kicked the ice fairy in the seat.
Who can go scouting without bringing rods with? Certainly not this group. By 8 Am Tuesday morning, Nate, Jason and myself were standing on 3 solid inches in the bitter cold taking our chances on some bluegill.
Tuesdays weather weather was a real treat compared to what was to come. After a hot rack of ribs and a couple libations, we had our game plan figured for Wednesday and it involved houses and heaters.
Many of you know I’m not a ice house kind of guy. However after finding myself wishing SnoSuit made face gear, I hunkered down in the shack to avoid the windchills of -30. The area we had decided to stick out the weather in was an area holding many many types of fish early in the season. Jason confirmed after setting a spoon into the cheeks of this walleye. So naturally I’m really excited after witnessing a walleye early on.
Tucked in the houses with the heat blasting, the blue gill switch went on. It was furious for an hour. It reminded of a scene from a Hitchcock movie. Slime everywhere, maggots flying everywhere, water splashing us in the face,…..My God it was beautiful!
Confined to the shack, we just happened to be in the path of the gills, perch, crappie, walleye and tullibee. Pleasure fishing with you gentlemen!
You’ll have to excuse the picture quality in this report. I’m working on my skills with some portable HD video eqipment. Had it been a bit warmer I would have had some entertaining footage. Look forward to video in my upcoming reports.
Nice work Matt
Don’t worry, I’m watching. What a great time.
Good stuff Matt
great job Matt, looks like you got your fix and a few for the fried fish fix.
Good job finding some decent ice.
I’m going to attempt embedding the video on this post. Might take me a bit.
Just trying out the camera
Video link for now
Very nice matt. Looks like fun. One more day to Lake of the Woods and the company of the fine men and women at the Wigwam. I cant even sleep or work.
Blackberry brandy helps, but not at work
Ya I hear that. I will be having a few of those two by sat morning to.
Matt cool video, nice music to go along with it.
Plenty more of that to come this year for us.
Saturday morning????
I’m beyond jealous..
We have oh, gee, around 12″ of SNOW on top of a 1/2″ of ice…
I moving to florida
Nice job on the video Matt!!! I’m going today to check out the lake by my place, luckily there was no ice on it before the snow storm.
Ed
Let me know when you want to start selling your ice fishing gear…
I’ll just give it to you…
DEAL….I will be down in about 4-5 hours to pick it up..
I’ll get the Uhaul
Uhaul?? That’d be fine if you wanna make a few trips…better just bring a semi…
Nice work Matt!
I didn’t recognize you at first in the picture holding blue gills. Don’t see those kind of pictures everyday. 
Another day of panfish tomorrow, then on to the walleye next week.
Nice work Matt, you’re a fishin’ machine!
I’m in the same boat as Luke, tons of snow on very little ice around here. Will be heading north in a few days, hope to have as much luck as you did!
Joel
Good times fishing with you Matt. The quest for foot-long gills is still ongoing. Panfish have been biting the same all week. An hour or so here and there and the bite is on fire. Then the rest of the day you have to work a bit harder for them. We have got on some good walleye bites in the evenings with some mid 20″ fish. I’ll get some pics posted when I get home in the next couple days.
Sure was nice never another person on the water till yesterday!
Good to have you on the IDO wagon.
Good to hear the rest of your week off went well 