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[#0000FF]With the recent cold snap I wanted to get in a last shot at Willard before the hard deck. Just about missed it. The main lake was open...with water temps at 34 degrees...but there was a layer of ice in the north marina.
Tested the edges in the dark and it seemed pretty thin. But when I got ready to launch I found that it quickly turned to solid 1" thick ice...too much for the PVC Maru to break up for launching. Been there and done that before. Usually involves wading around the edge to break the close in ice and pulling my tube behind until we reach open water for launching. This morning I followed an open lead across the marina to the opposite side, where the walking would be easier. Then I was able to get my tube up on the ice and pull it around the edge like a sled. Easy peasy. Right? Hell no. I'm an old guy. Too old for that stuff these days.
Air temp was 27, with a slight breeze. Chillsville. Especially with sweat-soaked hair...after my morning exercises. The breeze laid down soon and it was pretty calm all morning. But the sun stayed behind clouds except for about an hour just before noon.
Since my last trip to Willard on 10/28 the water level has come up over a foot...and the temperature has dropped 20 degrees. That was enough to slow the fishies down a lot...even if there was better clarity in the water.
Surprisingly, I saw quite a few fish...mostly holding just above the bottom in 8-10 feet of water. Hoping they were walleyes, wipers, crappies or some other desirable species I went to work...dragging a minnow on one rod and pitching tandem plastics on the other.
First two fish turned out to be carp. One sucked in a white jig and the other was a "dorsal diner". Caught several more through the day...both fair and foul hooked. Bent my light stick good but pretty sluggish in the cold water.
Got several pop and drop inquiries on the minnow before I finally went bendo on a cookie cutter cat. They were really tentative and needed some finessing to time the hookset right. Brought two more cats to net over the morning...releasing all.
Also got multiple "ticks" on the different jigs I was pitching. Can't be sure if I was bouncing off carp or simply missing light bites from other species.
Last year on Nov. 26th I scored about a dozen nice jumbo perch and a chunky walleye. This year none of the above showed up to play.
In that water just a couple of degrees above freezing I was thankful for each of the 3 layers I had on. A sudden cold snap and I would have become a permanent ice ornament.
Coming back in it looked like the building westerly breezes might have blown out the ice that was blocking the ramp earlier. The channel was clear further back in but the thick hard ice was jammed up tight against the ramp. Without disclosing my "exit strategy", let's just say that I bent the rules a little in order to make my escape.
Time to bring out my giant auger that drills holes big enough to allow me to launch my tube.
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Hey Zeus Crystal, I don't know how you do that.
Good to know the waters are rising, though.
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[#000000]Marvel wants you for their new comic book series called Super Tuber.[/#000000]
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[#0000FF]I didn't go by the inlet to see if there was any water coming in the baffles. But I'm sure that the fall rains, together with water users shutting down for the year, have allowed a bit more water to slide into the pond.
By my metaticklish reckylections the lake is actually a bit higher than it was at this time last year...and right after ice out. Hopefully we can get enough wetness over the winter months to bring it up closer to full.
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Nice report Pat, you're a tough one. Glad you didn't get frozen in. Sorry I didn't make it to help bust ice. But then we'd be making excuses for my skunked trip. Hopefully I can make the next trip on big blue. Later J
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[quote WaveWolf][#000000]Marvel wants you for their new comic book series called Super Tuber.[/#000000][/quote]
[#0000FF]Got my doubts on that. More likely I would be a good candidate for modern Darwin studies.
And I tell everybody that my Mama drowned all the dumb ones. Shoots that claim all to heck.
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[#0000FF]Yeah, about the only thing you missed was a case of hypothermia.
I kinda suspected I might find some ice in the marina. I have had several early and late season trips over the years when I have had to exhibit dedication and determination to get out to the main lake. And I usually catch a few fish...along with the hypothermia.
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bbbbbrrrrrrrr!! [cool]
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Pat,
Once again all I can say is you truly are dedicated, or crazy. Every year I marvel or at least scratch my head as you continue to tube even as ice is forming. Glad you found a couple willing fish. Tubing in these water temps is tougher than I am.
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[quote fish_fear_me2]Pat,
Once again all I can say is you truly are dedicated, or crazy. Every year I marvel or at least scratch my head as you continue to tube even as ice is forming. Glad you found a couple willing fish. Tubing in these water temps is tougher than I am.[/quote]
[#0000FF]It is getting to be more than I care to handle any more. But my old brain keeps writing checks for my poor old body to cash. Too many good memories of great fishing in similar conditions...in the past. Things just ain't the same no more...including me. Not likely to be many more posts with ice breaking in them...unless the ice is for cooling fish or drinks.
The difference between dedication and commitment? In a ham and eggs breakfast the chicken is dedicated...but the pig is committed.
Oink!
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Nice TD not alot of folks including myself would venture out in my tube in that cold water but its not surprising to see you take advantage and fish.
Im ready for some ice action on the main bay like last year, hopefully she freezes good enough out there this ice season.
Thanks for the post
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Pat,
I think my toon was trying to tell me it was too cool for floating this time of year... Took it apart last night and there was a crease in the bladder and when it was cold it was stiff and hard and it had broke a small hole in it... Took it in the house to patch and the bladder softened up really nice, so I suspect its not a good idea to use my toon in too much cold due to that material not being good in the cold... Maybe I should pump it up in warm conditions and then it will still be okay, so I can try Bear Lake... Hope your warmed up by now... Later J
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[#0000FF]Wimpy toon...or wimpy owner?
Glad you found the problem. One of the things I always suggest regarding maintenance of tubes, toons and other toys with air bladders is to never let them suffer from extremes of temperature. Not good to just leave them outside in the back of your truck in below freezing weather.
The vinyls and other synthetics used in air bladders perform best at "room temps" and can have problems with brittle/break when they get too cold. Another common problem happens when they are left fully inflated inside a hot vehicle or in direct sunlight. Kaboom.
In short, when not in use your craft should be stored inside...or in a thermally stable area. And they should be left at least partially inflated if possible. If you completely deflate them, fold them gently and do not compress them so as to form tight folds and extreme crimps in the bladders. Hard folds can lead to damage...especially if they get too cold and are suddenly bent or reinflated before they have a chance to warm and soften.
Operation in very cold conditions...with the bladder fully inflated...should not cause any problems. However, some valves are made of materials that can shrink and cause air loss in extreme cold. Not fun to have to walk back to your vehicle across the top of extremely cold water...not ice...after your toon decides to exhale with you in it.
We will have to wait and watch the weather for our planned floatation trip to big blue. That will be after the first of December and Mama Nature can really show her colder disposition about that time. Had that happen on my last three or four planned tube trips up there. Nice one week and frozen hell the next.
I have always told folks I fish for enjoyment, not endurance. I guess this report pretty much ruins my credibility on that issue.
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[#0000FF]Part of my reason for wanting to get on Willard once more before freezeup was to sonar some of the areas I fished through the ice last winter. I was pleased to find them just a bit deeper than last year...which should also please the fish.
I was disappointed to not see any crappie schools...or anything that looked like perch...on sonar. I suspect that if/when the lake caps that will clear the water up even more and make it easier for these schooling fish to meet up and form small schools. They tend to be more scattered in the murky water that has been the condition of Willard during the windy fall months.
I too am looking forward to drillin' and chillin' on Willard again this year. I guess I really am a masochist.
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Well, after the report, I'm sorry I missed hanging out with you and helping you get launched, but not sorry I missed out on the cold temps. I need to invest in a new set of neoprene's here very soon to tackle those kind of water temps. My warm sleep in after a day of unexpected house repairs was a wonderful experience[  ].
Also see the need to get my partially inflated pontoon out of the truck and back into the semi controlled garage environment after the post on bladder failure/fatigue. Appreciate the heads up on that one. Pretty much common sense stuff, but it didn't want to cross my mind that much until this post since I've been hoping for a couple more quick trips out. I'm sure my vinyl and urethane bladders will appreciate it though.
Great report and entertaining as always.
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[#0000FF] As I first gazed upon the ice blockade of the marina I was sure that you would ultimately find a way to say "Gee, sorry I missed all that fun." Kinda like the guy who misses a flight on an airplane only to learn that it crashed and all aboard were lost.
We might still get in a couple of late trips to Deer Creek or Jordanelle before they cap. They are deeper and sometimes remain open until the end of the year...or even not completely cap at all. And the fishing for "non-perch" species (like trout) can be pretty good on flies in the real cold water.
What I'm trying to say is that YES, you should be prepared with some good neoprenes. Even if you do not have a lot of your lower extremities in the water...while fishing from your pontoon...the 'prenes keep you warmer in the cold air too. And they are definitely wind resistant.
You might even consider joining up with the mini floatilla we got working for whitefish on Bear Lake in early December. Much fun, good eating and great smoking material...if you can find papers.
Cold I can handle...up to a point. But if there is wind along with it color me gone. That's why it is vital to be sure of the weather before driving all the way to Bear Lake. Calm days are more rare than warm ones and that pond gets  when windy.
Hope you and your family are once again enjoying warm showers. Stupid water heaters.
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Hey Pat thanks for the play by play on toon health. I learned the sun shine one almost the hard way, but seen it before it hit critical pressures. The cold I didn't see coming because the material seemed so soft and pliable I didn't expect it to go brittle with ten degrees cooler. I'll have to be careful during any winter usage. As far as wimpy tooner goes I'm not sure I'm smart enough to resist the addiction because of cold. Just makes for a shorter trip. Well I'm hoping the BL trip works out. Later J
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One of the things that keeps us younger or at least thinking and feeling that way is doing the things we love. I bet come spring time you fight the ice to get out early again. GOOD ON YA!!!!
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[quote fish_fear_me2]One of the things that keeps us younger or at least thinking and feeling that way is doing the things we love. I bet come spring time you fight the ice to get out early again. GOOD ON YA!!!![/quote]
[#0000FF]I have been on Willard several years when there are still sheets of ice floating around. But my most epic early season assault was in February of 2009...when I carted my tube through the snow to the (closed) south marina and launched in the channel.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=476590#p476590"]HERE'S A LINK TO THE POST[/url]
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no water going in its dry
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