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Got to The Strawberry Bay Marina to find that we (Tincanfsh, Kastmaster, Fish_addict) were the only ones there. The restrooms were locked and there was a note on the restaurant door that I believe said something about they would be back in early May. I guess that they took advantage of getting away between the end of the ice-fishing season and the start of the soft-water season. We hiked about 1/2 mile from The Marina (probably wasn't necessary, because it appeared no one had accessed the ice during the day by The Marina). Started fishing about 5:30 PM, and fishing never was great, but I have been there when it was far worse. We all caught at least 10 fish. A few under the slot and the largest I believe was about 20.5 inches. It was definitely colder than the forecast (probably 15 to 20 degrees most of the time, with a steady wind from the west), which made it necessary to clean the ice from the hole frequently. Holes that were left alone for a couple hours got about 1/2 inch of ice formed on them, so the ice was actually growing last night. Ice was fine, with occasionally breaking through a thin crust and then there would be about 2 to 3 inches of slush. Ice was about 18 to 24 inches thick. After about a 1/2 hour hike back we were off the ice by about 12:15 AM. I only got 5 hours sleep, so I am still a little numb. Enjoyed meeting a couple new anglers, and of course always enjoyable to fish with Billy again.
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Thanks for the report Kent. Fishing this time of year up there is tough. Glad you were able to get a few anyway. [  ]
Any pics?
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I know Billy took a few pictures, perhaps he will post a few. I was sure hopeful of catching something that I needed to take a picture of next to a tape, but alas it wasn't to be.
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I'm looking to hit the open water in the boat tomorrow - hoping the berry would open up but the wek was too cold...anywhere for recommendations? Wanna get out on the water and take a couple of kids fishing so they can catch some fish...any ideas???
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You would probably do fine at Jordanelle or Deer Creek.
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Sounds like a decent day Kent. I've been up there on decent ice as late as 2nd week of April, and done quite well. Too busy with house stuff now.
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Sounds like you all had a fun trip. It also sounds like they didn't get very much snow up there, which is good for the slush situation. Are you going to give it one more try for that 22 1/2 inch cutt or 21 inch bow?.
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Thanks for the invite, Kent. It was good to meet a few more BFT'ers and share fishing stories when the fish weren't biting. I was also surprised to see that we were the only anglers on the ice yesterday. It was my first time fishing Strawberry at night, the steady wind did not make it comfortable but it wasn't miserable either. Fishing was steady for most of the evening, with the cutts preferring a bigger target as the night wore on. It was definitely fast for me at first with the smaller lures that I was using, but slowed down as the evening progressed. Enjoyed the great company!
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I was really surprised with the lack of new snow up there. We were able to drive to the bottom of the boat ramp (it was totally snow free, as was the parking lot).
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We hit the Marina parking lot at 6:50am, and were the 3rd truck to arrive. Only saw 4 small groups, counting ourselves, through 1:00pm. My son-in-law really sleuced 'em. Spent my time shooting video, and recording some great footage off his Aqua-Vu. Smallest fish he caught was 20", and the first hour was almost too fast fishing! Didn't have time to even grab a chair.
Breezy from ~11:30 on, but dead-still and beautiful before that.
Spring on the ice is such a great time. No tents needed, and just sit back and enjoy the day.
Too many folks, it seems, put away the short rods and Polar Kings too soon. We had a great time!
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Yep George, you definitely caught your fair share of the bites and a few extra and was able to land lots of fish. With a little stiffer rod (so that you could have gotten a getter hook set) I believe you could have taught us a lesson or two on catching fish at Strawberry at night. It was a pleasure to meet and fish with you.
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Sounds like you had a great trip. Maybe the lack of pressure has helped the fishing. Any pics? [cool]
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[reply]
Are you going to give it one more try for that 22 1/2 inch cutt or 21 inch bow?. [/reply]
Who knows, I can't make it this coming Saturday, but I could be tempted to try during the week (if I could fit it between income tax appointments[unsure]). If one looks at the fish that Ron has entered he could easily retake the lead if he chose to do so.
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Anytime on the ice beats anything else in my opinion. I wish I could have made it up there with you guys. Ten fish each is far more than I have done up there all year. I hope we can arrange another meeting sometime, thanks for the report.
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Only video. Some good stuff, though.
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Sounds like a fun trip. How much ice would you say is still there, also did you see any open
water at the creek inlets or around the river inlet?
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Ice was 18 to 24 inches thick. Didn't get around any inlets; however, got by a point that had shallow water and the ice was melting there.
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[cool][#0000ff]There has been open water around the ladders and people fishing it for over a week. Not sure what the success rates are but it is usually pretty good there at ice out.[/#0000ff]
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Kent, you are my hero.
...I guess I won't be fishing out of my boat at MudCreek this Saturday like I had planned!
I put all my ice fishing stuff up in the rafters of the garage. I might get the family boat out and go try out my new trolling motor setup at Jordanelle or Pineview this weekend I guess. I won't be planning on catching many fish. [unsure] Might end up being just a day on the lake in the boat!
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I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.
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