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Made a trip this morning with CVFISHER and his son Casey hoping to fish the weed line south of GRP. Approximately 50 yards from the shoreline, I stopped to drill a test hole. When I picked up the auger, the ice gave way and I did the Polar Plunge into chest deep water. Managed to self rescue myself and climb out. Earlier in the year I'd watched a You Tube video on how to self-rescue. It worked. The ice in that location was only 1 inch thick. Tom heard from someone that the same thing happened at the pump house this morning, but when we drove around to check out Cisco Beach we did see two people ice fishing in this location. Also heard that there were seven folks fishing off the marinexit on two to three inches of ice. Personally, I think it's another week before fishable ice. Go at your own risk.
Larry
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Glad you are OK. I've been reporting on where anglers are fishing, but I've warned that the ice can be iffy. Its supposed to be -5F tonight and only a high of +5 tomorrow. That should really help out! I always wear my ice spikes around my neck and I've fallen through on Bear Lake more than once. Stay safe out there. Today, there were at least 15 people fishing off the marina. They caught some nice whitefish today along with limits of cisco by jigging. Don't waste your time trying to net them at the marina, Cisco Beach has lots more fish. However, it is open water so come with waders.
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[quote BearLakeFishGuy]
Today, there were at least 15 people fishing off the marina.
[/quote]
Scott, were they ice fishing or fishing from the shore?
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I think determining if ice is good on the bear will be hard for several weeks yet. There are a lot of snow drifts on the ice that has formed. While cold temps may quickly lay down good ice on exposed ice/water it may not under larger drifts. Really have to watch where you walk out there. Not a whole lot left to freeze over now.
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Hey Larry glad you were ok, that's scary stuff. Did you lose gear in the hole? Guess a life jacket is required if you try ice. Sorry to hear the bad luck. Later J
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Skunked, didn't lose a thing and it actually was a good learning experience. If you stay calm, you really can self-rescue yourself from a bad situation.
Larry
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Glad you got out ok, that can be terrifying. I was one of the ones fishing on the ice off of the marina today and it was ok, but it was still very dicey as far as thickness went. Just 20 feet from where I fished the ice was only 1 1/2" thick, but it was 2" of clear ice where I was and 2-3 of grey, slushy ice on top of that. It is kinda iffy right now, but if a guy insists on going out they need to have an exit strategy and keep your cell phone in a watertight ziplock baggies so that if you are in the water and stuck, you will be able to use your phone and call 911.....I'll respond within minutes and with plenty of ice rescue gear!
I think things will be better Saturday and especially next week with the cold temps we have coming during the next few days. The fishing was ok, and I caught a few whitefish and ciscos, but there were three of us and we only got 6 whitefish between us and about 30 ciscos....no limits though.
Mike
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Good thing you were prepared. Later J
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Ice fishing. They have been out there since Sunday. Its always a bit sketchy right next to the rocks at shore, but I was out there today and measured 4" of ice.
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Last I heard was open water off of Cisco Beach so you might want to take your waders for the east side... If it is frozen today it's new ice over night so probably less than what is needed to support you... This is the tough call year where you need to take both ice and open water gear... net and jigging poles so you have a chance to get onto them... Good luck and hope you have a great trip... I'll be there too, but doubt you can pick me out of the crowd... Later J
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Glad you are safe! Really glad to hear that ice is forming also. Be cafeful out there.
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[#0000FF]You can take Larry out of the tube...but you can't take the tuber out of Larry. You just hadda get wet. Right?
Glad you were able to self-survive. There have been some cases of unhappy outcomes on that big pond when careless cold-footers found thin ice...or one of the "bubbler" holes camouflaged by a covering of snow. When methane bubblers remain open they are easy to see. But if not you gotta stay alert and watchful.
[/#0000FF]
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[quote Brighamfish]I think determining if ice is good on the bear will be hard for several weeks yet. There are a lot of snow drifts on the ice that has formed. While cold temps may quickly lay down good ice on exposed ice/water it may not under larger drifts. Really have to watch where you walk out there. Not a whole lot left to freeze over now.[/quote]
Fortunately it takes at least 2 feet + of snow to impede ice growth with cold conditions . i was at least recently taught that by a guy who teaches avalanche and snow conditions courses. Lets hope this week solidifies big blue into safe ice!
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[quote FatBiker]https://youtu.be/QKpAzvXSldA
I'd watched the video above a few weeks ago. The process to self-rescue works. The secret is to not panic and roll away from the hole when out. Twice I attempted to stand up too quickly only to end up back in the lake. Third time was a charm. Swam away from the hole before I stood up. Highly recommend all ice fisherman watch this video.
Larry[/quote]
great video. could not believe that guy went back into the water the 2nd time to demonstrate the picks but then go back again to show a rescue gave me a chill.
Glad you got out ok
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Thanks for the update!! If Cisco beach is open water... Can you still launch a boat at rainbow cove? Im sure the ramps are icy but have they been plowed? Is it worth hauling the boat up? Is there any way of accessing the rock pile at this point?
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Got a first hand report this morning that everything was sealed up with an inch of ice except a stretch along south eden.
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Ice at rainbow and cisco. Some open water north of there.
The ice is only 1" thick, that was in one night. So maybe able to stand on tomorrow. it was cold dress warm....
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Tom, phone is still not happy. Give me a call on Pats phone and will talk about going back. Number is 801 388 7080.
Larry
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