The second trip of the year found us going back to Antero. I think everyone will agree when I say this turned out to be PERFECT weather! It was absolutely gorgeous out by the time we left. 7 people braved the elements and the early rise time to make this trip. We added two new people to the mix, Bill K, aka Klumpp Daddy, and Mark R!
We stepped at 0430. Ski and Klumpp met me at Pete, and then we met Jody, Jeff, Mike & Mike at the Donut Mill. We reached Antero and were greated by a beautiful sunrise surrounded by snow covered mountains and no wind!
We went to a new location further west on the lake. Led by years of razor sharp instinct, Jeff S and Jody took us from the North boat ramp west a ways, and then south. We stopped about 300 yards west of the boat ramp in 10 feet of water.
I immediately set up the essentials. Tent, Heater, poles. I actually got the temp to 80 deg F in the Ice cube. The rest of the guys decided to brave the elements. I found myself later in the day too hot inside the shelter. I actually tuned the heat off by 10 am, and the sun beat down on the Ice Cube the rest of the day. When we arrived, the temp guage on the truck read 1 deg F. by the time we left at 1330, it was about 45 deg F.
Everyone setting up.
Jody pulled in the first fish of the day. Niced sized trout. I think this was his first trip out this year, and its good to see his skillz from last year are still spot on.
Bill got off to a slow start. Here he is playing with his pole. I eventually had to bring the youngster into the Ice Cube and give him some mentoring.
Action wasnt slow and it wasnt fast. Just depends on where you were. There were a ton of people on the lake to include some russian dudes just to the north of us. The game warden showed up and deported a couple about 1100. No russians in this pic, just a bunch of guys standing around, not catching fish.
Ski started out catching some minnows. I think he caught two or three, but he looked damned good doing it.
Lunch was a big pot of elk Chili, courtesy of my wife. It was Good.
After lunch part of the gang moved just outside of my tent. I saw numerous fish swimming around my holes all morning. So I told them and they decided to move over by the hot spot. We were fishing in 10 feet of water, about 7-8 feet down, jigging usually a white, green or pink lure.
Mike P with a nice catch.
Soon after lunch, young padiwan Klumpp Daddy hooked into a massive fish. We all came running over to mentor and guide the young man into landing this monster. He is in very good hands. He is a former Senior NCO, and has 3 retired Senior NCOs guiding him on how to VERY carefully land this fish. My mentoring of the young man seemed to have paid off.
I was able to stick my camera down another hole and got this quick shot of what he had just before it broke the line.
HOLY SNIKES! Its a Marlin Trout!
I caught two fish, one of which was this beautiful Cuthroat trout (we think it is). It measured 20 inches and is on par with the largest fish of the year and is in the running for the LFOY contest. I just made that up.
While we were able to get out and enjoy the day fishing, remember others had to work. We were "buzzed" by one of the local C 130s from Pete. Their mission is Aerial Firefighting and they stay pretty busy in the summer.
Total count for the day was 9 trout between 7 people. Not a bad haul. The day turned out to be one of the best ever Ice fishing because of the great weather. Tomorrow calls for 4-10 inches of snow.
Not sure when the next trip is planned. MLK day is usually the next trip, but not sure at this point. Also in the works is a trip further west to twin lakes, and a trip using my 14 x 14 wall tent like we planned last year. BT
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