Good and Bad

[IceHawk]

I was sitting on the lake the other day and this thought crossed my mind. With all the social media, forums, face book groups now a days you have to wonder how are anglers judged? For instance how are  anglers judging other anglers? Are they judged on there fish pics, there success catch rate? I would say in todays industry unfortunately yes most throw judgement on how good of a angler you are by how good your day on the ice was. Well I want to tell you there's not one Angler out there includeing myself that hasn't got a good butt kicking and struck out from time to time . Unless there ego won't allow them to admit to it. LOL! Its actually more common than one thinks. I once was shooting the crap with Legendary Al Linder about this.  We all know how much he fishes. He said in a given week of fishing he had 2 good days 1 marginal and 2 not so good. Take for instance this week I and a few good anglers set out on a local lake in search of panfish after  hitting numerous good locations and getting almost nothing we threw the towel in. Next day we set off to a Lake by Ogilvie fished it hard for 6 hours cutting numerous areas out and basically struck out in our eyes. Yes we caught fish but not the size structure we were after so in our eyes a bust.. Yesterday afternoon  I decided to hit a local Lake on the chain near me. I was hoping  for a last window  bite and ended up hitting a home run. Well I guess what I'm trying to say is we all have good and bad days. I know a few of us post are good reports pics and we sound and look like ice fishing super hero's to some. I'm here to admit, We get butt kickings and strike out just like the next guy at least I do .  Most including me don't report are bad days but maybe we should. We are not telling you the hard work mega holes we cut etc.  So no matter how much experience you have fishing don't get discouraged if you strike out have a bad day. We all do keep your head up! Just keep going out after it and sooner or later it all falls in place. Judge your outing by who you were with the laughs, memories, moments shared in that day out on the ice.   It's those simple things in life that are more important than a limit of fish that's a bonus in my eyes  Also if any of you ever spot me on a lake PLEASE Stop over say Hi and introduce yourself I'm all about meeting new people and shredding some ice together like I said its all about the moment. 

[Rick]

Chris hits this spot on. Really can appreciate what you are saying and doing. 

 

Also, that's the direction FishingMinnesota is heading.

 

Making connections online and in person. We learn faster when we grow our network of fishing friends.

 

Start growing yours here, right now. Set-up a meet and fish. Even if with only one other FMer.

[eyeguy 54]

Here’s a pic of a slow outing a while ago. Go fish and have fun I say. I sure don’t wear a cape. . 

Edited February 8, 2020 by eyeguy 54

[PRO-V]

That is the first time I've ever seen a picture of you guys without a fish!!! Might have better luck if you get out of the garage.

[eyeguy 54]

. Actually we are standing by the deck at Geigers resort. Had to pose for a pic that is like one we did 38 years ago. Will have to hunt for it. 

Edited February 9, 2020 by eyeguy 54

[eyeguy 54]

Lol.  Glendo reservoir in Wyoming.   

Edited February 8, 2020 by eyeguy 54

[smurfy]

Well I'm here to tell you today was a swing and totally miss day for me.

[Wanderer]

I put 1 in the bucket in the past 24 hours.  Let one other go and pounded small perch for a while today.

 

But the mid day hot tub break was fantastic at the Bug Bee Hive.  
 

I haven’t heard a good report from anyone I know this weekend.  If fish bit all the time there REALLY wouldn’t be any left in the lake!

 

On the last episode of catching up on Blue Bloods season 8, sipping a Finnegans Dead Irish Poet with a side of Crown enjoying a laid back evening.

 

There are some trips that have ZERO silver linings but this isn’t one of them.

Edited February 9, 2020 by Wanderer

[IceHawk]

12 minutes ago, smurfy said:

Well I'm here to tell you today was a swing and totally miss day for me.

At least your honest I have respect for that 

[smurfy]

20 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

At least your honest I have respect for that 

I'm always honest. Worst part I was chasing  water wolves with tipups on pelican down by Monticello. Was thinking I could doing the same on koronis out if bug bee hive till I heard about the wind supposedly with the snow tomorrow.

[eyeguy 54]

Hit LOW and fished all day Wednesday and Thursday. Fished west of Morris point a bit. Got 10 sauger. 13.5 was biggest. Crazy slow. That whole area has been slow I hear with a dandy now and then. Was on a vets event at Fred’s Beds. Great people and set up. He runs 36 houses. Our group had 6. Got 2 on different pink jigs and all the others with pink hook and flathead. Tried many different jigs and tough city to get those little buggers to bite. Still fun tho. We got your 6 outdoor adventures. Check them out if you are a vet. Great organization. 

[Wanderer]

15 minutes ago, smurfy said:

Was thinking I could doing the same on koronis out if bug bee hive till I heard about the wind supposedly with the snow tomorrow.

Pretty nice night tonight.  Last night was a little bitter and this morning was -11 so my hole hopping didn’t start till mid morning.  Wind has been switching though.

 

I was prepared for slow fishing but we were going no matter what.  Just is what it is... and it’s my wife’s favorite fishing season so onward we go.  

[smurfy]

Awesome and I salute you service guys!!!

[IceHawk]

36 minutes ago, smurfy said:

I'm always honest. Worst part I was chasing  water wolves with tipups on pelican down by Monticello. Was thinking I could doing the same on koronis out if bug bee hive till I heard about the wind supposedly with the snow tomorrow.

About time you got the rust cobwebs off that gear. I was starting to wonder with all those excuses you were comeing up with There are more lakes to fish then one up by your cabin glad to see you found one. 

Edited February 9, 2020 by IceHawk

[IceHawk]

18 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Pretty nice night tonight.  Last night was a little bitter and this morning was -11 so my hole hopping didn’t start till mid morning.  Wind has been switching though.

 

I was prepared for slow fishing but we were going no matter what.  Just is what it is... and it’s my wife’s favorite fishing season so onward we go.  

That lake is tough nut to crack at times.  She can really test you at times and I fish the snot out of it summer fall and winter.  But it also is one of the best around my favorite lake for eyes in central MN  hands down. Paul has one heck of a resort operation there doesn't he? That place is unreal some of the nicest Accommodations I've personally ever seen. Good place for a FM get together Paul. HINT HINT  Hopefully the bright moon brings you some luck  tonight I released couple  over 28 out there so hopefully one finds one of your hooks tonight. 

Edited February 9, 2020 by IceHawk

[Wanderer]

Paul has been great and we really like the resort.  It’s been a long time since I hot tubbed and I just melted away.   We were able to get some time to chat with him afterwards in the main office while we extended our break at the fire place.  Paul stays moving but has made us feel at home.  
 

I’ve known people who’ve fished the lake in the past and know it can be a great lake, I just haven’t fished it before this weekend.  I have about a half dozen spots I now want to check but will have to wait for another time.

 

Thanks for the good luck wish!  

[Tom Sawyer]

So true Chris, no one is a hero everytime out. If they say they get em everytime out they are stretching the truth. I know some of the best guides in the business, live and breathe fishing, everyday, that get kicked square in the nuts from time to time. It is called "fishing" not "catching". 

My nuts are a little sore today, but I always like burying a bad day with hopes of a better one. Just remember bad days teach you things that might pay off later ....

 

Edited February 9, 2020 by Tom Sawyer

[eyeguy 54]

Glad no pics of your peanuts

[Tom Sawyer]

7 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

Glad no pics of your peanuts

Your the one that feels the need to post peanuts  

 

Edited February 9, 2020 by Tom Sawyer

[Borch]

We got our butts handed to us on the same lake that kicked Icehawk's earlier this week.  We managed one nice crappie in 4 hrs of fishing and I never had a bite even though I worked many fish.  We decided to do a total relocate and drove 45 minutes to another lake that I have never fished.  My brother hit one area and after 20 minutes searching with my GPS I started drilling holes and found an active school in a 17 ft hole on a flat with a saddle into a deep through.  It was one after another nice crappies and gills.  Called my brother over and we worked the area for another 3 hours putting together a decent catch and salvaged the day.  My brother even caught a nice bull pushing 10".  Some days its dang near impossible to catch a fish on a given lake.  Those days it's often a better option to check out another option if you have a choice.

[IceHawk]

 Tom I know a few guys that never seem to have a bad day even a few on here. Must be that ego thing. Ever day on the water is a learning experience once we quit learning its time to sell the gear for sure. Nobody is ever to good to take advise or tips help or not give it back.  I always say one hand feeds another hand for sure. Help and be helped so to speak. Egos get you know where, I'm always learning and willing to teach.  (Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime )

Edited February 9, 2020 by IceHawk

[Tom Sawyer]

Yeah, more times then not I've been the first in a group to head to greener pastures. You can't catch em if they aren't there. You can tell pretty quick what is in a given area. 

 

Edited February 9, 2020 by Tom Sawyer

[Tom Sawyer]

16 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

 I always say one hand feeds another hand for sure. 

 

I'll bring the treats

[eyeguy 54]

I was feelin it as I caught those baby sauger. Lol. Drive that far and pull them up from 33 feet, they get cooked. personally I as many have had bad outings but I guess I don’t see much sense posting about it. If I go out and get skunked I still had fun.

[Borch]

It gets real easy to fish those lakes and spots that usually produce. But then you never get to find new spots. 

 

Searching new water or those we haven't fished in a long time certainly increases the likelihood of coming home empty handed.  But like Royce said I rarely come home not having had a good time.

[eyeguy 54]

to me that’s the deal. Did I have fun?  I will stop when it’s not fun. More than likely the body will want to quit before the heart. Photography is another hobby I really enjoy so I like to post pics on here.  I miss the photo stuff that used to happen on the other site. Fun times and another hobby that a person is always learning. Tomorrow morning is surgery time and I sure hope I can do some reeling in by opener but will survive if it’s longer. I hope to see pics of fish on here. Rick G has laughed at grandpa a few times as I am laying on the ice trying to get a nice shot of a fish. Lol. Easy to get down but hard to get back up. It’s fun, I enjoy it, so I do it.

[Mike89]

having surgery??  good luck!!  I'm having surgery Friday...  I know I'll be laid up for some time...  

[Cret Jigs]

1 hour ago, eyeguy 54 said:

to me that’s the deal. Did I have fun?  I will stop when it’s not fun. More than likely the body will want to quit before the heart. Photography is another hobby I really enjoy so I like to post pics on here.  I miss the photo stuff that used to happen on the other site. Fun times and another hobby that a person is always learning. Tomorrow morning is surgery time and I sure hope I can do some reeling in by opener but will survive if it’s longer. I hope to see pics of fish on here. Rick G has laughed at grandpa a few times as I am laying on the ice trying to get a nice shot of a fish. Lol. Easy to get down but hard to get back up. It’s fun, I enjoy it, so I do it.

 

Hope your surgery will go great ...  God Speed on a fast recovery!   Times of recovery or hard times always makes me appreciate the most important things in life.  We truly have so much to be thankful for.  Look forward to hearing from you as you recover.  

[eyeguy 54]

Thankful for every day o can walk. Had two back surgeries 2006 and 2010. There was i time I thought ice fishing was over but God didn’t let that happen yet.   Downhill skiing most likely will not happen. Or golf. But I can mini golf. Lol

Edited February 9, 2020 by eyeguy 54

[smurfy]

good luck to you guys going under the knife!!!!!!!!! the fish will be there where your recovered!!!!!

 

I like checking out new lakes...…...I prefer to check them out in a boat first...…...then on the ice. my problem is i'm so used to going north that I don't know most the lakes out my back door!!!!!!!!! I need to change that!!!!!