Ice holes at the berry 1/6

[Tangled_not]

Made it to strawberry yesterday morning at first light. -2 at 7am, not near as cold as i thought it might be. The bite was slow, and light. Fishing Picked up a little from probably 9-11 then slowed steadily. Stayed til dark as We were hoping for an afternoon bite, but it didn't happen.

Ice flies and jigs tipped with mealworms got us a few, but night crawlers seemed to be the most consistent. A little jigging would sometimes entice a hit from the stubborn fish. I Ended up icing 7 total, about half and half rainbows/ cutts. Lost a couple others right at the edge of the ice. Hooking most all the fish right in the end of the lip.

The ice was plenty safe, with one exception. Was looking for a new spot and noticed a "hole" in the ice. Looked to be about 10" diameter, but but wasn't iced over. I knew no one had fished there earlier, so something was up, or me down if I wasn't careful! As I got a little closer I could see the water rolling at the surface. Uh oh ,it's a spring( I think). There was about 4" of slushy water on top of the ice around the hole. The surface was noticeably darker in color than the surrounding ice cap. Having never witnessed anything quite like this, my best guess is a spring? Or could it be a section of ice sinking from a growing ice pack, and just so happens someone drilled a hole in the middle of it? Water was about 20' deep. Not sure, do any bft'ers have any input?

Anyway, did catch one really nice cutty. Didn't have anything to measure or weigh so used my pole for reference. After measuring the pole when i got home, Turns out he was about a 23" butterball. Fat, healthy, and still swimming.

Overall a great day..
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[Tangled_not]

Sorry didn't hit the "upload attachment" button.
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[PACMEN]

Where was this soft spot at? Might save one or two of us from getting wet if we know the lake.

Thanks
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[Tangled_not]

we parked at the ladders, and wandered to the west of where the water enters the lake.
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[NICH]

I fished Sage Creek Bay on saturday. I ran into a similar spot. I was leading the way and cutting across the bay to the east side, it went from 3'' of snow and solid ice to 10'' of snow and slush then ice. As I looked back to tell my two friends to head a different way they were 30' back and staring at a now 10'' hole that was seeping water between us. We moved back and watched water bubble up and saturate the whole area with water, it just kept getting bigger and bubbling more water.

On a side note we about got nailed by a snowmobiler that was hauling ass along the shore line (not wanting to venture into the main body which I understand) and not slowing down for blind corners. Passed between the three of us and the shore (which was only 25-30' away) and just missed me by 10'. He never let off the throttle. I know some people are careless but that one was new for me.

Fun stuff and be careful out there.
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[GEEZER]

They iz folks thet tend ta stick they heds in they butts afore headin out on summa them hi powr masheenz. Ya shur gotta watchout fer em. Too dam bad ya caint shootem.
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[Lunkers]

Thanks for the update. Nice day fishing anyway.
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