ICE FISHING!!!

[JustinG]

Alright, who else is getting really excited for ice fishing?!?!

I just got off the phone and I ordered a complete set of Arctic Armor!! Can't wait for first ice!!

Who else is an ice fishing nut here??? Judging by the number of Bash replies...quite a few!! Has anybody bought any new toys to try out yet??

Justin

[Quickstrike]

Not me, I try to hang on to fall as long as possible. I'm sure I'll be a little more excited once November is here. No new toys for me this year, I splurged last year and think I'm pretty set. See you guys out there!

[Steve Foss]

No new toys for this catfish. Mostly for me it's about saving the budget by taking a lot of care with my gear. It's 10 years on the FL8-SLT, 10 years on the Fish Trap II and 11 years on the Strikemaster XL-3000. Not to mention 22 years on the Chevy pickup and 27 years on the Yamaha sled. It's a wonder I can catch any fish at all.

I really don't want first safe walking ice until after deer season is over. Thanksgiving will be soon enough for me. Then it will be combo days on Birch and Shag after pike/walleye until laker season opens and the REAL ice fishing can begin.

[finnbay]

Not to mention the 40+ years on the body that's trying to use all that stuff!

[JustinG]

I really have a blast fishing for all species during the winter months. I like to start out fishing Walleyes pretty heavy. Looking forward to making a few trips to Red, LOW, and local lakes. Then, I really get into both Laker and stream trout fishing. I am going to make a few trips again this year up to Ontario for big lakers mixed in with some more Walleye fishing. That is alot of fun. Oh and I can't forget Crappie fishing mixed in there! I wonder if Lake Superior will freeze over this year? I have always wanted to try laker fishing out there. I hear when the lake freezes over, there can be some of the most unbelievable lake trout fishing out there. Wouldn't mind giving that a try!!

[Steve Foss]

Hah! Ken, you got that one right. You and I should hook up for a day of tipups in early December on Birch. You know where.

[finnbay]

Sounds like a good idea to me - right after deer season, ice permitting. I miss talking shop at athletic events!

[ripstick]

Stuff is right where I put it and I hhope it can stay there till end of deer season. Comes out in 10 mins.

[JustinG]

Steve...I am sure it is no secret where your spot for tip up fishing Birch Lake on early ice is. OK, Well, I will keep your secret safe!

Yeah, ripstick, I am still holding out for some nice fall weather too. This month and a half of rain and no sun has been terrible! I am still hoping to get some more use out of my boat too. Just kinda looking forward to the transition from fall to early winter. Maybe get out and do some fishing in the boat...deer season...Thanksgiving...maybe a couple more nice days in the boat...Then, BRING ON THE ICE!!!!

Later,

Justin

[mikie]

Im ready for ice fishing boubht a new 2 man clam and was number 1 to buy tickets for the forest lake FISHAPOOLA cannt wait for that unfortuntaly waill not hit the ice till shipping season is finished see how i work on the oar docks november to january is real busy

[Steve Foss]

Yeah, Ken, it'll be hard to decide which "shop" to talk staring at tip-ups. I kinda miss the fun of shooting sports alongside you myself. NOT that I want to ge back to the newspaper. I'm enjoying my freedom a little too much right now. Gosh, guess we better not schedule that outing on a weekday, eh teach?

Justin, I fish in the same bay (well known for decades) as all the early ice pikie fanatics on that part of Birch, but quite far away from them in a place nobody pays attention to. The first time I met Ken he was tromping around on the ice and wandered over to inquire what I was doing sooooo far away from all the others. I've had 29 flags on my best day for pike in that spot (including two girls over 39 inches), and I don't have to move an inch to get in on the evening walleye bite. I couldn't care less about walleyes, but Mrs. Catfish knows that when I fish pike at Birch I'll likely bring home pike fingers for me and walleye fillets for her.

[finnbay]

Grumble, grumble

[JustinG]

finnbay...is that Ken Hupila? Didn't you used to coach the golf team? I think I met you at the Ely Golf Club once.

Don't worry boys, you can have all those snakes to yourselves. I won't give away your spot.

Justin

[finnbay]

That's me! Now that I'm putting 2 and 2 together, didn't your golfing start at the Swan Lake CC?

[tacklejunkie]

Can't get into the excitement. I don't ice fish. I am a troller by nature and ice fishing is un natural to me. Tried it once, found it boring

[tacklejunkie]

Quote:

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Can't get into the excitement. I don't ice fish. I am a troller by nature and ice fishing is un natural to me. Tried it once, found it boring

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Although this year i am tempted to try it

[Wanderer]

I dun seen sign of a troller ice fishin once... He had about 12 eight in holes drilled in a line and chisled out the ice 'tween em.

Just had to say something on this forum. Ice fishing hasn't caught hold of me yet outside making sure I have a couple venison backstraps set aside for the Bash. Done deal.

But I'll be there in my mukluks!

[JustinG]

Ken, Yup, now you know who I am!! I am the Grounds Superintendent at the Ely Golf Club. Yes, Pengilly is where I grew up. My parents still live across from the #9 tee at Swan Lake CC. That is my home course where I learned how to play golf. There used to be alot of Gustafsons who were members at SLCC, but now there isn't a single one left. My cousin Jay was the Superintendent there for a long time and I worked for him for 4 years. That is how I got into working on golf courses. Now I have been in Ely for 10 years. I know we have chatted a few times when I have run into you on the golf course! Nice talking to ya!

Justin

[JustinG]

YO WANDERER!!!!

Where have you been man???????? Are you coming up to Ely soon? There is one more weekend between now and deer season to chase those walleyes around! I was explaining to everyone on the Burntside Bash post just how you and I are going to dish out some fishy punishment at this year's Bash!!!

Justin

[Wanderer]

Remember what I said about those huntin' boots?

I opened pheasants in Benson last weekend, spent Thurs/Fri in Camp Ripley, scouting Emily-Fifty Lakes tomorrow for firearms, then to Lanesboro for turkey/deer next weekend.

Why did I pick my name again?

I do miss Ely though.

[JustinG]

Yeah, I just needed to give you a hard time is all! I am really going to give you a hard time if I see you wearing mukluks out ice fishing ...sheesh!!! Haven't heard from you in awhile, man...everything going good?

Later,

Justin

[Wanderer]

Things have been as good as I can make them. Sometimes I wish I hadn't changed jobs though. I guess I just like life the hard way.

Never worn mukluks have you? Patty makes some fine footwear and besides being warm, they're light so I can be the first one to the tipup every time!

[JustinG]

Yeah, man...you sounded a little down. I hope things turn around for ya soon!!! Hang in there...I know what its like to be behind the 8-ball. Been stressed and under the gun since my first day back March 1st and it still isn't over!!! Now we are dealing with floods! Everything will pan out for you-sounds to me like you need a cold one with the ol' Fishmaster!

I will honestly admit that I would have traded a pair of mukluks for my IceMans the time I hiked out of the woods 5.5 miles over rough terrain when my truck broke down out on Muckwa Lake!!! Those IceMans are nice, but they sure aren't made for walking...thought I was going to die out there that night!! But, that is the ONLY time I would have worn mukluks!!!!!

Justin

[Wanderer]

Ever had granola and yogurt for breakfast??????

I'm out for the night--have a good one!

[Wanderer]

OK, I'm back. I thought I was given that Cialis look - but I was mistaken Now I can't sleep.

Thanks for the little pep talk. I can't complain too much, its still a good job. I knew the grass was pretty green where I was at but didn't understand HOW green it was. The new grass just needs some more water and fertilizer. The good thing is I'm full of the latter.

It sounds like things are ramping up in the excitement department in your world though! Floods suck though. Good luck.

[Steve Foss]

I've been wearing Steger mukluks ice fishing for five years, and there are still a bunch of people who don't believe me when I tell them how much better they are for general ice fishing use than boots that weigh five pounds apiece.

Of course, when it's March and the slush is a foot deep, those not-quite-fully-waterproof mukluks can be a liability, but so are the Iceman boots then. In those conditions, I use something that sounds a lot like mukluks — MuckBOOTS! Mukluks and Muckboots, the best one-two punch on ice.

Of course, you basically have to take out a new home loan to afford the mukluks. I bought mine when I worked in Duluth and made a decent living. Now that I'm trying to extract a living out of the Ely economy, I sure can't afford to replace the mukluks when they wear out.

[Wanderer]

Ditto!

[Great Outdoors]

Amen on the Mukluks and Muckboots!!!!

[JustinG]

Quote:

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OK, I'm back. I thought I was given that Cialis look - but I was mistaken

Now I can't sleep.

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HaHaHa!!! Been there, dude! That is kinda like when you see a big red bar come in on the old Vexilar when it seems like you haven't had a bite in 2 hours...then, as fast as it appeared it disappears...your hopes-DASHED!! Oh, umm, yeah,...neither of those cases ever happen to the "Fishmaster!" That is what someone told me!

By the way-You guys and your mukluks...can you see me here shaking my head? And of all people- MAKI!!!!!