It is March 25th here in New York and it is still colder than hell. It looks like we may have ice for at leat another
two weeks. Still, I am done for the year as chasing smelt for the next couple of weeks will replace the desire to ice fish.
Not matter how much you love it, enough is enough.
Time to reflect back on the 2008 season and look at all I learned. In many ways it was a tougher year but also one
with some surprises.
For starters, the Innovative Tip-Downs worked magic for me. I was also
able to turn several other people on to them who had great success. Even people from miles away took the time to
report back as to how good they worked.
I was reminded once again how winter sure isn't what it used to be in these parts. We started out great with ice by the
middle of December only to see it melt and go and melt and go before it finally took hold for good around the 1st of February.
Now it seems as if it does not want to leave.
First ice, which is usually great for Walleye, was poor for me. In fact, I had a hard time finding walleyes most days.
The fact that only the very South end of the lake I fish was frozen certainly did not help. You didn't have a lot
of options for finding them.
The perch bite was hot at times but the fish seemed to move a lot this year. You would find a spot where you could
hammer them for an hour or two then they would disappear. I never could fit any thyme or reason to it. Nonetheless,
I got my fish. It was just a lot of work.
The new lelectric augers on the market look appealing. Many anglers I met this year claim that they are very easy
to build. I might try and find someone who can build one for me as the ones on the market (right now) are spendy.
The ice was definately erratic this year. The weather and temps changed often. Pressure ridges grew and declined daily.
Getting on some days was a pain as the shore ice seemed to shift and move daily.
Most importanly, I look at all I have learned in years past and know not to plan any strategy for next year
based on what went on this year. Every year is different.
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