Nice job and thanks for sharing it with us.

I would offer to help eat them but I didn't earn it.

That is a brilliant day's fishing mate. I notice SWMBO caught a couple, and your boy scored...how did you do mate? Although, the object of the exercise is to relax really, which I hope you did plenty of mate.

What great photos! Looks like a good time fishing alright. 50 degree weather has to help too, it hasn't been above the 40s here for weeks on end with fog no sun. That little mule of yours really does the trick. What's the name of that lake, just curious?


Suz

Suzanne wrote:

What's the name of that lake, just curious? Suz

Current Creek.

-DallanC

Vince wrote:

That is a brilliant day's fishing mate.

Anyday fishing is a good day, but things are slowing down. We do way better than most on this lake, couple guys I know haven't landed a fish in 2 trips up there. I know some tricks though that seem to pay off

Quote::

I notice SWMBO caught a couple, and your boy scored...how did you do mate? Although, the object of the exercise is to relax really, which I hope you did plenty of mate.

I got to help haul gear, land fish, bait poles, drill new holes etc etc. I've caught thousand and thousands of trout in my life, its fun to watch them learn how to do it. I didn't land any myself which is fine.

Getting a little annoyed at the fish breaking off line. Normally you can fish lighter line as the fish are more lethargic, the lighter line is more responsive to nibbles. We've upgraded from 3 and 4lb test, to 6 and 8 now and are STILL breaking off fish at the holes. I really dont want to step up to heavier line at this point but man, there are some big fish in there to break off 8lb (and yes, the drag's are set well below the breaking point... its the ice on the edge of the holes abraiding the line)


-DallanC

Dallan wrote:

...Getting a little annoyed at the fish breaking off line. Normally you can fish lighter line as the fish are more lethargic, the lighter line is more responsive to nibbles. We've upgraded from 3 and 4lb test, to 6 and 8 now and are STILL breaking off fish at the holes. I really dont want to step up to heavier line at this point but man, there are some big fish in there to break off 8lb (and yes, the drag's are set well below the breaking point... its the ice on the edge of the holes abraiding the line)

Do you use monofilament or braid Dallan? I have recently switched over to braid for estuary fishing and find that it is very responsive...only problem is it can be a little susceptible to abrasion. The braid I find the best for feeling those very light nibbles/touches is Berkely Exceed, although I don't know if they call it by that name in your end of the world.

Fireline Exceed



The Berkely Crystal braid (not Micro Ice) has quite a following over here. Maybe the Micro Ice would suit your needs...



Micro Ice



This one apparently is pretty good as well.

Fireline Micro Ice



For everyday fishing, this one gets some good write-ups, but I think it is a fairly heavy test weight line.

Gorilla Tough



To help overcome the problem with the line abrading on the edge of the ice, consider getting a couple of metres of very thin (various sizes from .5mm to 2mm) (but strong) plastic PVC sheeting, the type used for table protection...not exactly sure what you guys would call it over there, but out here it is PVC sheeting, usually sold by the metre. You wouldn't need a big piece, just enough to cover the edge of the ice where your line is likely to rub. Have it extend from a few inches over the top of the ice, then down the face of the hole towards the bottom of the hole....peg the top down and a couple of reasonably heavy lead sinkers on the bottom corners to hold it in place, and you're good to go. Easy to carry and could serve a number of useful purposes.

Good luck mate, and enjoy the relaxation and excitement of seeing the kids catch that big one.

hmm thats a great thought Vince. try to find some "slip sheet" its used in packing shipping containers with palletised product using a forklift. the forklift grabs the sheet and push/pulls the product off pallet onto its big pallet sized front then places it in container and push/pulls out leaving product in place. very very tough stuff only about 2mm thick but its plurry hard to break and very slippery.
nice trout...I know they are on ice but sure hope you gill n gut em soon after capture as it surely improves the eating quality.

Stovey?
Maybe he's slipped and fallen down a ice hole?

Thats not a bad catch of Trout - I take it your going to eat them.
We've got Tiger Trout here in NZ they are a real feisty fighter. Elvis will probably know better than me but I think they're released into the Rotorua area lakes

The ice fishing here on Georgian Bay of Lake Huron and the inland lakes and rivers is at a stand still as the three days of +3 to +9 has made the ice rotten and unsafe. So the ice tend remains in the barn.
That Plastic sheeting idea sounds like a good one. I have all sorts of 2-5mm and heavier always around base supply that I have been throwing out. Vince

Now here is something all you ice fishermen can cotton on to...a damn fine idea if you ask me.

A Great Idea

Can you imagine the business they'd do during hunting season delivering to leases in central Texas?

Just call in your GPS coordinates, pay with a CC, and bam no more emergency beer runs.