Question for Fiskyknut

[bturck]

Fisky: Do you see the need for the extensions yet, or can we make it through the year without them? Headed back on 2/26 for three days. I'm sure the snow has slowed the freezing process just as it has down here in central MN. Bill

[Wall Eye]

Fisky,<P>First off, just want to say thanks for all the information you share on this forum. I enjoy reading all of your replies and find them very informative. I really enjoyed your piece titled "Things to do on the pond".<P>My wife is bringing me up to Warroad this weekend for my birthday and we will be fishing all day Saturday and half of Sunday (very nice of her considering Sat. is Valentine's Day). I was thinking about fishing out of either Long Point or Zipple Bay (Babbler' road sounds like it is limited because of all the snow). I have a Frabill XL Speedshak and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Since it's just the two of us I will be limited to the plowed roads. I have been keeping up with this forum and Long Point seems to have had the most positive posts, especially to the east. Keeping in mind the forecast for Saturday (cold and windy) and my limited mobility, in your opinion, which place would you suggest? Also, I read on one post about issues with water after drilling your holes. Is this something you've been seeing? One more question, you mentioned emerald shiners in one of your posts. Where do you buy them?<P>Thanks for the help. <P>PS All my wife wants to do is catch a keeper!

[fiskyknut]

Well you have a keeper....A wife that takes you fishing on your B-day. I'd say LP would be a good option, sounds like the bite has been pretty steady over there, and the road is well taken care of. Babblers road can get you out to Arnesons reef anyways, and on Saturday I saw alot of trucks strung north up to about 2 miles from the reef along what must have been the old track to 16. Usually decent out on this deeper water too. Zippel might be worth it but I favor the other areas mentioned at this point of the winter season.<P>Just don't scrape all the way down to the ice with your shovel before you drill/setup your house. Pick the spot and pack it down good, and then drill thru the snow and all. This will help a bit with the slushy stuff.<P>All the baitstores up this way have those Emerald Shiners, you're coming from the west so you can get them at Denny's in Roseau or wait till you get to Warroad and get them at Riverside {amoco} at the second set of lights. Generous scoops there.<P>Have a great time you two and let us know how it goes eh.<P>Bring a shovel too just incase!<P>fiskyknut

[Wall Eye]

Thanks for the reply Fisky. I'll post on Monday how the trip went.

[fiskyknut]

Hey Bill. Bring it though you most likely won't need it for portable use. If your in a permanent that sits up high you'll need one then. I'd say the ice today out from Babblers was a max of 30 inches, and is as much as I've seen anywhere so far this year. About a foot or so of compact snow on top of that. I shaved off about 6 inches of snow with a shovel and had plenty of auger left today. No slushy in the portable at all. Never know with mother nature, but with all the snow I don't think we're gonna see a whole lot more ice get made this year. Bring it just in case.<P>Fisky

[Buckets]

33" a week ago last wed. west of the rock and on sun. when we left I swear I measured 33.5" so still might be making ice. I measured the strikemaster auger and seems to me it's about 3' so... We caught a lot of small fish, even the burbout were only 2-3 pounds. Oh and a hellofa cold .

[sparkey]

Wall eye, It doesnt matter if the fish are biting, Ive seen you fish before! Lucky your wife is with you or you will be awfully bored! Actually I hope you are nailing them today. Quite calm here in the flatland this morning, hope its the same on the big pond. Good fishing and I'll stop in next week for the report. Sparkey