Ice Fishing

Have been out a couple times last week with a couple friends.  Day 1 we went to Strawberry, East Chicken Creek.  The ice was plenty thick.  We went about 50 yards and cut holes Craig got hit and iced one pretty quick so we thought okay good place.  The wind howled all day and luckily they had tents so we put them up and stayed in them the rest of the day.  The fishing stayed okay for the holes on the outside of the ring but just 10' inside of them the fishing was nearly dead.  We (used loosely) ended up icing 8 fish nice bows, threw back about 6 cuts that were in the slot.  Good time on the lake but very cold without the tents.


Day 2 took us to Rockport on my suggestion.  We headed up there pretty early from the SLC side and got there pretty quick.  We got on the ice by sunrise and cut a couple holes to see how deep we were and see if any fish were around.  Seeing nothing and that we were only 15' deep we decided to move toward the fingers and went about 1/4 mile and set up camp for most of the day.  It was blue bird day on Rockport.  The fishing wasn't hot but still iced about 10 fish.  I am still looking to ice my first fish everyone that I hook I lose at the hole!!!  I don't know why or what I am doing wrong, I am putting a good hook set in but I still lose them at the hole.  AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!  We had a fun day on the ice and moved back to the area we started and they iced at least 5 more while there for the short period time we stayed there.  At least I am being a good guide and letting them catch all the fish......hahaha....I want to ice my fish!!!  Still great day on the ice and good company.  Plus it was Craig's birthday so we let him catch the most...haha...not!  But he did catch the most.

8.20.11 Fishing with Paul

This morning I took good friend Paul Olson fishing he wanted to see what I was doing to catch fish on DC.  We had met earlier in the month at meetings and said we need to get out.  Met up again and decided on today.  It was a great morning.  Paul pulled in the first 3 fish, a couple nice carry overs.  I got 4 in the boat before 9am and then they turned off and were hitting very lightly and we couldn't net another one.  We stayed out until 10 and then the skiers, wakers and jets were making the water so turbulent we could keep the motor in the water.  We decide to call it and left.  It was a great morning, loads of fun, hope to get out again with him.  Til next time keep smilin'

8.13.11 Bear Lake

Today we ventured to Bear Lake for the Gines reunion.  This will most likely be the last time we make this venture due to the passing of Jim, but Betty felt obligated to attend since we were the host family this year.  We got there around 1pm and met up with Eric and Kim who had brought their boat.  It turned into quite the adventure.  We all played on the water all day and all the toys they brought with them.  Sally skied and tubed, took Maxwell on his first tube ride and he loved it.  I even tried to surf but finally came to the conclusion that being fat and out of shape is not a recipe for success in that situation.  We had a great day and took many pictures and videos the videos are posted on my youtube site.  Til next time keep smilin'

7.24.11 Jimmie Gines

Today heaven gained a great man.  He is my father-in-law, but treated me as a son without hesitation and always made me feel welcomed.  I will miss him greatly.  He taught me many things in the short time I had with him.  He was a great dad, grand dad and great grandpa.  The saddest part of the whole affair was Parker was not able to be there in the end.  Jim gave it a great fight to hold on as long as he could but that damn cancer took over his body too fast, so he didn't make until Parker returned.  They were best friends before Parker left on his mission.  Parker and he would go fishing or riding at least once a week before he left.  He loved the mountains and traveled in them often, he made most of the trails in the West Uintah mountains.  He taught me how to clean my first deer and watched me patiently gut shoot the poor thing at 20 yards, He exclaimed "how the hell do you gut shoot a deer at that range" and then laughed.  I was just happy to have shot a deer finally.  He took me on many adventures and taught me things without ever saying he was.  That was the kind of man he was quiet and knowing.  I remember one time he and I went fishing in my boat we were on Deer Creek and again he was teaching me without saying a whole lot of anything but quietly guiding me through holes he knew were hot.  When all of the sudden he got hit hard and I had never seen him get excited about much but this brought him to hoops and hollars with the best of us.  He landed a nice 4.5 lb Brown, he said "that is the nicest fish I have caught here and anywhere in a very long time".  Yes heaven gained a very good man today and I for one am glad he gave me part of his life and let me be part of his family.  I will miss you greatly "Whiskey" and love you forever.

7.13.11 Deer Creek with Jimmy Lee

This morning I picked up my oldest son Jimmy Lee and we went to Deer Creek for a few hours on the lake.  It was pretty slow but we did finally find some fish mostly small planter bows.  We fished the usual pattern in the bay and then went down roadside cliffs.  That is when it turned into an adventure.  I had to relieve myself so I pulled us into a nice secluded cove and started to do business and then Jimmy says well I have to as well and commenced to do business but when he got started he leaned out over the edge of the boat and then fell in the lake, got hung up on his shorts and the boat started to take on water we were in about 6 inches of water so I was yelling just stand up not knowing he was hung up.  Water was still pouring in over the side so I grabbed him and tossed him overboard, that is when I figured out he was hung up and heard his shorts rip in half.  All the while there was a couple going by watching the entire incident, unknown to us at the time.  We got all situated back in the boat got his phone and wallet out to start the drying process, got back out to the middle of the lake and the couple came back by and the husband could not stop laughing at what he had just witnessed.  I was like WTH just happened and poor Jimmy was like great another story.  We started fishing again in silence then I looked at him pretty bummed out at this point and I just started laughing, he looked at me and started laughing to, I told him if you can't laugh at that, just think about that boat that witnessed and what they saw, he busted up and we laughed for a good spell.  We were on way back to the bay, when Jimmy hooked up a nice bow the nicest one of the day.  Big fatty and great colors making the day and events all that sweeter.  We got off the lake just before a big rain storm pounded the lake.  It was a ball and an adventure.  til next time keep smilin'

7.8.11 Mill Hollow for some brooks

Went to Kamas to visit Jim and Betty and headed up to Mill Hollow to get Jim out of the house.  the road was open but ungraded so washboard was the name of the game.  Got to MH and there were a few people parked at the gate so we drove up to the upper parking area, knowing Jim couldn't watch or enjoy anything from there I went back to the dam and some had left and were leaving so I went down and started tossing kastmasters and got hit right off, then hooked up a little brook and kept changing colors and kept them hitting.  I limited out in about 25 minutes which was just about right for Jim he was tired.  We went toward home and stopped along the way and got some pics of flowers for Sally.  We went around Bench Creek and seen a nice buck already above the ears and wide.  Good afternoon/evening!  til next time keep smilin'!

7.7.11 UL cattin with Mac

Went out thursday morning with McAfee to UL and had a blast catching cats.  We caught quite a few, all kinds, but the channels were the best looking.  The blues were doing their death rolls and made it fun to catch them.  We spent the morning hunting for the hottest spots and got into them in each spot.  til next time keep smilin'!

6.27.11 FHE Silver Lake

We got out of Dodge again, tired of spending great evenings inside we ventured to the mountains up AF Canyon this time and went to Silver Flat Lake.  A nice little lake/res above Tibble fork.  It was High!  And the have shut off access to the Island now, or perhaps just for the high water marks period, we will see.  It think once they have closed access we will not see it again.  Easy enough though to just walk out there.  We stopped on the road side and went down to the edge of the water and set up and had a subs.  I fished for a couple hours and Sally read.  It was another fantastic evening and pretty quiet evening considering we were at Silver usually loaded with ATV's racing up and down the road.  I got a couple planters and one pretty native Brook.  It had great colors to it.  Sally was running the camera tonight and got a couple for prosperity.  til next time keep smilin'!

6.26.11 Weeny roast and SMORES!

Took off for the canyon today.  Picked up the parents and had the in-laws in tow.  The kids met us there and Issac Hilary's bro was with them as well.  We met up at the Big Springs picnic area in South Fork.  We found it to be very crowded, but I went searching for us a spot and found a most awesome area just off the Big Springs trail secluded in the Aspens with a pit.  It made it feel like no one else was around.  We set up camp and got the fire goin' for the dogs and broke all the other goodies everyone had brought.  It was quite a feast!  KFC even showed up, can't beat that.  After a good bit of story sharing the fire was ready to cook.  We all got our sticks and burned a few dogs and ate til we were tired.  The grandkids, especially Max was having a blast.  The great gpa's were enjoying themselves to the cheeto's, Sally got them for the boys thinking they would like not knowing Jim and dad would be eating them....LOL.  Max kept everyone entertained and loved the fire!  We shared stories all afternoon and into the evening then we had SMORE'S.  The kids love them and everyone had some.  I'm not a huge fan so I let everyone eat mine ;)  It was absolute blast to have everyone together and hope to have many of them this summer.  I got to feel the briskness of the creek first hand as I took unexpected dip while trying to retrieve water to dowse the fire with.....it was quite comical, sorry no pics of that thank goodness :)  til next time keep smilin'!

6.25.11 Wolf Creek Pass

After a very stressful morning Sally and I got out of the house and away form it.  Landscaping and contractors are pains in the A.  We took off actually for Mill Hollow and got turned back due to road closure, Soapstone the same thing .  We continued on up the canyon and topped out at the pass.  Still quite a bit of snow!  We headed back but not before we went frog hunting in a little pull off on the road where they had created a number of diversion ponds to reduce erosion, frogs were croaking like mad.  We stepped out the truck and starting the mad search for the elusive little things.  They were on to us before we got 10 feet away from the truck.  They went silent and buried themselves in the mud.  Pretty area still.  We went on down and drove Bench Creek and went up Bench Creek road to the bridge at the creek.  It was running very high and hard.  On the way in and out we had to go through some mud holes and that made Sally quite nervous, but no worried the mule went through with out problem one a little deeper than I expected.  We left Bench Creek and went into Heber and got dinner at the Hub, good family style meal.  Headed to ward home but I had to stop and try DC for a minute and nothing  threw a few different lures but not even a sniff!  Good afternoon and evening far better than morning.  OH yeah got a new camera quite nice actually at the pawn shop.  Takes nice pics!  see them below.   Til next time keep smilin"!

Round Valley 6.23

This morning I met up with long time friend and classmate Mark Allen.  He took me to one of his favorite streams located outside of Wallsburg.  We met at Will's pit stop and I hopped in his TLC, of course I was late, not meaning to be but still.  We took off at 7am for Wallsburg and went up as far as the road would let us and then started hiking from there.  Have I mentioned that I haven't hiked in years due to injuries and back pain....ya it showed but with the recent back surgery the pain in the legs were gone but not in the lungs!!!  We put in about 7 miles total.  We fished this little stream using attractors and drop flies most of the day.   Mark landed the first few fish then I put on my renegade and caught a couple myself making a good day a great day.  Yep still no camera!!  But can I tell you how beautiful this area is, no because I am not that gifted with words.  It was beautiful however.  The stream had been worked hard by the forest service, blasting out about 10 beaver ponds in the distance of the stream that we hiked.  Kinda sad, there were places where the holes would have been up to 6 feet in depth, but due to their activity that is why the road is washed out and made it really kinda nice to be the only ones in the canyon that morning.  We caught a number of little brooks, they had bright colors!  Mark needed to be home early so we headed back, not without stopping at one whole where one fish had eluded both of us, I tossed in and no more than the fly hitting the water he came after it hard and in my surprise and enthusiasm I missed him.....but it was fun to see him flash that hard and quick.  We traded stories all the way down the canyon, I could this direction I wasn't huffin' and puffin' so much but I did start to cramp up a little, I think Mark was fearful he was going to have carry me out.  We made plans to hit Fish Creek at which time he said "maybe a couple more hikes between now and then might help you" I giggled and thought to myself no doubt you fat beast!!  It was a great morning with Mark in one of his fav's.  We got back to the TLC and headed down the road only stopping for a burger at Jose's in Wallsburg, if you haven't stopped and talked with Jose you are missing out on good food and a good man.  Til next time keep smilin'!

Rock Port 6.22

This evening I hooked up with good friend and long time neighbor Gary Schlenker and we went to Rock Port.  We chose RP due to the reports saying "Red Hot".  Ya not so much the attendant at the gate told us a couple places to try, and one guy just off the lake with a couple, which should have clued us in, told us where he was.  We got on the water by 5pm and lines in by 5:10.  We headed toward the spots the people talked to us about and trolled rainbow pop gear and brassy/nickel with worms.  Played around that area for about an hour and nothing.  So, I told Gary I know where they are and that is where we headed to Parker's and I's spot by the fingers.  On the way down we seen more and more debris coming at us from the run off from the river, tons of driftwood and other garbage.  We made our destination and began dragging again.  I told Gary the pattern and where we would see the most action in the pattern, he was skeptical.  We got in the pattern and sure enough we hit the spot where I told him we would catch them and he hooked up a nice bow, remember last night I dropped the camera right, plus I forgot to mention that I broke my trolling pole tip as well!!  So tonight I have a brand new pole :)  Back to the fishing, we trolled until dusk.  Gary landed 4 bows on a prism flasher pop gear the only we had, I had some nice hits but lost them, doh!  It was another great evening and relaxing. Gary shared adventures of his youth and adventures in upper Minnesota.  Talking about putting together a trip to lakes there, on my bucket list.  Til next time keep smilin'!

Deer Creek 6.21

Howdy, hit DC again this time with long time friend Kevin Fox.  He and I have done a few adventures together.  Always a treat to join up with the Foxman.  We got on the lake around 4pm and dragging lines around 4:15.  The reports were all coming in "HOT" DC is Hot!  So we thought what better place to go....not so much!  We trolled until night fall and caught 2 fish trying many different pop gear and lures.  We stayed on the water until 10pm and got off.  Before we left the water though Kevin got a bucket list fish of his, he caught his first Walleye and 2nd, he also landed a small mouth.  We were on the North side of the island and throwing big rattling stick lures and Kevin landed a nice 1.5 lb Walleye, he was so excited and surprised by the catch.  Although the fishing was slow due I think to a bit of a breeze, that actually made us use the gas motor most of the evening.  The time was relaxing and Kevin shared more stories of his uncle and his fishing adventures.  The evening ended at the dock at which point I got up to get out of the boat and proceeded to drop my camera in the lake!!!  DOH!!!!  It went deep too we couldn't reach bottom after about 8' of reach.....Kevin continued to look for it while I went and got the truck and he dropped his flashlight.....ya so anyways that means no pictures of this trip!  I was saddened to loose my camera many memories were taken with it, luckily the only pics on were from that evening, 2 pics of me with my rainbows and 3-4 pics of Kevin with Wally's and smally, sorry Kev.  I did get a couple of him with his camera which didn't get dropped.  He uploaded a couple to FB.  The fillets of Walleye were tasty!  Nice white flaky, light tasting fish.  Til next time keep smilin'!

Deer Creek 6.18

Hit Deer Creek this morning with long time family friend Rick Fowler aka "uttrout".  He is an avid fisher mainly fly but works the spin rod quite well also.  We went for trout on the troll, I think maybe one of his first times ever doing it.  We got on the lake around 6am and had lines in the water by 6:15.  It was the first voyage for the yacht this year and with some new equipment aboard, electric trolling motor and lights, although we did not need the lights this trip.  We started out kinda slow going toward the island as we left the dock both of us dragging rainbow pop and a worm.  Rick had Parker's old rod and reel, seemed to be working until pressure was put on it.  It stopped winding correctly at that point, but Rick just persevered and kept fishing.  I was the first to catch and land one we each had hits kept missing them.  I changed to a brassy/nickel diamond and Rick continued with the rainbow.  We each caught our limit and had a great time on the lake.  Rick shared stories of his fishing adventures with his son that is in CO. and a veteran of the Iraq war with some very severe injuries from burns caused by an IED that exploded on there Humvee.  He had great stories.  We each took pictures of one another and our fish, Rick has pics of me so you will see pics of Rick in this report.  Some nice sized rainbows and they came quick.  We loaded and on the road again by 10am.  Went to the main state ramp and filleted them quickly.  Passers by kept commenting been fishing heh....I so wanted to say, Nope flying kites.....here's your sign.  But I refrained and just said sure.  A great morning with great company hopefully we will get together often and share the water.  Til next time keep smiling!

The Maiden Voyage!

Went out this morning on Bob's new yacht and broke it in properly with fish guts and blood.  We were on the water by 7 and mostly by ourselves for an hour or so.  Bob purchased a new boat form Cabella's and has been itching to get out and fish it.  He got a trolling motor for it as well.  He put a 20hp on a 14ft Lowe.  Good ride and the trolling motor worked fabulously, quiet and plenty of power to troll with.  He was gracious enough to allow me to catch the first fish in new boat and first fish of the season for us.  The morning was chilly and calm.  Went til about 10 and the weather started to change cloudy, windy and cold.  Then 11 am it changed totally the wind came out of the south and blew us off the lake.  We ended the morning with 2 each and and good time.  The start of a great summer fishing season!!  til next time, keep smilin'