Last Monday, a chance finally presented itself to ditch work and get out on the back waters.
Been a frustrating winter so far, the snows to deal with and boys basketball every week-end have really put a damper on the ice time. All part of employment and parenthood I suppose but seeing the awesome reports pile up on IDO didn’t exactly help my mood either.
Pat Howard made the long haul south and was at the door bright and early. Our plan was to make a long hike to a remote backwater that’s been holding a variety of fish. Not an easy pond to get to and with the sloppy snow and slush it turned out being a real leg and back burner.
One thing about makng long hikes, you are committed when you get there. None of this, "not biting let’s go somewhere else" stuff.
Having been the second time there this year, I knew where the gills were hiding so that was a perfect plan B. Plan A was to fish an entirely different area just to learn a little more about depths while drilling, hopefully, on top of un pressured fish.
Getting the Strike Master heated up and having Pat follow me with the LX3, the bottom finally started lighting up with fish. Settling in quickly after a few flags were set up with fat heads, the bite immediatley started. 5 gills iced in a few minutes time with one deserving the skillet. Thinking about what a great day it was going be is when it happened….they quit biting! Ok, still pulling a ton of marks, but the gills were done.
Switching out baits quickly a gold diamond jig-orange finesse tail got inhaled by the first nice ring perch of the day. Honestly, what panfish fights harder? They will always be tops on my list for attitude and just plain ol good looks.
With dead sticks and minnows and the occasional perch falling to the tip ups, a nice fish fry was being collected.
After a few hours of watching the bite slow, a move was made to an area that had seen some good gill action a few weeks back. Still off the beaten path but fairly close to the gill yard, marks were stacked 3 ft. off the bottom For the rest of the day the gills were chewing, only problem being was the sorting. Not enough bumpheads that were common the last trip out but still fun. After Pat tired of the perch bite he joined me in trying to figure out what the bigger gills wanted. The bait was put away and the lil cecils came to the rescue. Tying on one of my all time favorite, glo-green, helped turned the table for bigger fish.
It wasn’t a stellar bite by any means but a great feeling to finally put in a whole day and learn a few things along the way.
Thanks for joining me Pat, it was a hoot. Next time down I’ll try to have a place in mind where you don’t need a team of pack mules to get to.
A few extras. A variety was had on this day.
Pic 3……..MAN DOWN! Didn’t think I caught that did ya Pat?
Ok, he’s back up but the spring in our steps was left back at the pond
I had a blast Jeff Thanks for the invite
While the Lil Cecil from Custom Jigs & Spins was Jeff’s go to for the last hour bluegills. The Slender Spoon I was using seemed to be a Largemouth Bass magnet but the battles were alot of fun on panfish gear
I still ache in places I didn’t even know I had
I look forward to hitting the ice or open water again very soon with you
Man down
Good job Jeff and Pat! Poor Pat has had quite a few spills on the ice this year but he just keeps getting back up!
Thanks for the report Jeff
Nice report Jeff.
Definitely looks like a great way to spend the day.
Especially with the nice weather we’ve been having lately.
Sweet
Nice work guys!
Great read Jeff
That big Cat excavator and Volvo dump truck look oddly familiar
. Excellent report Jeff glad you could finally get out I know the decent reports were starting to eat at you. I do have to say though that it is one hell of a hike out there and back is worse. I do have to say the slender spoon has caught some sumo gillls there this year but towards late ice the bass love them. Like you said with work and family comittments I havent made it out recently. Nice job Jeff and Pat!!! Oh yeah Pat, your not the first guy to fall down that burm 
. Dan
Great report. Looks like o good ol’ time. More ice roughies!
Great report Jeff
You guys had to of had fun playin’ tug-a-war
I should have had a few more pics taken with that Tetonka, it really was a pretty fish, not a scratch on her and that nice blue- silver sheen.
Hell of a battle 
A few walleyes had been taken on this backwater so when I laid the hook, the first head shake with the heavy weight had me vinced it was a pig eye! Then in a split second it just about spooled me…….then I knew what I was dealing with
I bet it was awesome!!
’bout time you made a report!
It’s been a busy winter for us as well. Looks like a great day, for sure! 
Great report Jeff.
Sounds like you guys had a great day. 
Nice landing Pat. 
nice job Jeff!
Nice report , it will be surely a great day for fishing.