Antero Ice Fishing 2011

The first trip of the year took us to Antero. It started with a great sunrise over Wilkerson pass. We met at the usual spot in Woodland Park, called the Donut mill.

The Usual suspects showed. The Handsome Duo of Me and Ski, The ever popular Jeff S, Rob D and Troy. It was a pretty day out on the lake, but cold and windy. I set up the Ice Cube immediately and climbed right in. The rest of the guys wanted to fish outside for some reason. It was a very slow day for the most part.

Ski picked up a new toy for Christmas. A humminbird fish flasher. Pretty Cool. It read that most of the lake was about 13 feet deep though.Battery life was great. He ran it from 0700 till we left about 1430 and the battery was only down about 40%. 

 There were quite a few folks out on the lake. Open water was spotted down by south end. Folks are crazy for sitting right next to it. Ice in our Spot was about 10 inches deep. I measured it. Still spooky, listening to it creak and crack. 

 

 Like I said I stayed inside the hut most of the day. I could see the guys huddling behind the hut trying to block the wind. Jeff S banged on the window.. "Hey is it cold out there? "

  

 Ski started the year off slow. Maybe a little rusty after coming off his best season yet. Everyone really started off slow. Jeff S got a bite right at sunrise. Then it was nothing for hours. 

Ski was nice enough to take the time out of his busy fish catching schedule to help mentor Jeff S. No Jeff, When the fish hits you have to hold the rod like this.

Here he is mentoring Rob D, no Rob your doing it wrong. Ive caught fish for money, you should listen to me.

Of course the best part of Ice fishing is the food. Jeff S brought his grill and provided some tasty dogs and brats. But then he teases us and said he had gumbo he could have brought but didnt know how to warm it up.... Really?

I sat all day in side the ice cube. Why? It was 25 F outside with a 15F wind chill, and gust up to 20 mphs. The real reason though is my big buddy heater. That's right its the secret weapon for ice fishin this year. 

 Nothing!!!! Its funny cause you cant tell in the picture but I could see all the way to the bottom crystal clear. Saw a few fish swim by, but nothing was taking the bait.

After the others left, Ski decided to join me in the Ice Cube. He of course had to use his new toy to see the bottom, which was crystal clear all the way down. 

 Ah!! almost tropical inside here. 70 Deg F! Now do you see why I stayed in the hut all day?

Surprisingly about 1330, the action started to pick up. I landed the first fish, but Ski caught the biggest of the day.

That fish measures 20 inches. I get half the credit because while he was screaming about something red on the fish flasher, I stayed calm, directed him which pole to grab, (THE LEFT ONE, THE LEFT ONE), AND had to sacrifice my body by scooping this monster out of the hole. I think I stuck my arm all the way to the shoulder to pull this beast out. I was a gracious host though and didnt out fish Ski as this would have been bad form, and he might not want to go with me again. Ski caught two, I caught one, and Rob caught one.

We went home with three fish. All in All a good first outing.

BT