So this report is
all dink fish
However, none of these trips were even 2 hours. Actually, they averaged about an hour each time.. I fish
every chance I get, and post on all outings... So don't judge
The end of January, it was tough to find time to fish...
I know I'm lucky to get out as much as I do, but I haven't had a real trip until yesterday..
Saturday,
January 16th, Brian/Catfishking was working in Lyons, and was nice enough to meet me to fish for a couple of hours (after I got out of work). We met at a pond out this way.
We must've drilled 20 something holes between the two of us. Caught fish out of just about every one, but couldn't find any big ones..
Anyone who knows Catfishking, or has seen his (or his brother's Anthony/Kokaneeking) reports, knows they're hardcore anglers. Well, we decided to switch ponds. I've really made my ice gear mobile, and thought I could pack up faster than most people.
Not only was he packed up as quick as I was, but had Fish On at the the next pond w/in minutes!
Photo is Catfishking's
We continued to catch Perch
Also Catfishking's picture
and got into Brook Trout
As always, great fishing w/ you Brian! Hopefully again soon
Jan 17th we were going to take Kara's mom to see Avatar during the day (Kara and I had already seen it once)
Great movie!
I snuck down early to get in a little fishing...
I've heard people have had trouble getting into the Perch at this lake. However, with my mad skills, I had no problem
(plus I used a secret jig, tipped w/ something secret..
)
Didn't keep any for dinner though..
Tempting as it was. If I would have caught my limit, I may've had enough for a sandwhich
There were a couple guys fishing in the corner (by marina) where water was coming in. There was open water, about the size of a kiddie pool.
I also caught a MRT
about 14 inches. Kara was calling, and I thought I took a couple of pictures while I was talking, but can't find them..
Glad I got to fish!
On
January 18th we went to zoo on a free day (Thank you Jay!)
Jay posted a link listing free days awhile back - - -
http://www.coloradofisherman.com/forum/index.php?topic=51080.0 
I posted more pics from that day at the Zoo here..
http://www.coloradofisherman.com/forum/index.php?topic=51430.0 Thanks again Jay!
I had a Wed off, but my wife had a meeting. She could take Michael, but not both kids. We asked Isabella if she wanted to go ice fishing w/ me. She was stoked!
We hit some ponds w/ the new shelter (Clam Expedition). She wanted to help set up
It didn't take long for her to get into Bluegill (Ratfinkee tipped w/ waxxie) Catching the very first fish in the new Clam!
The Bluegill were fun,
but she started getting excited, and was losing her timing on the hooksets. We ate the lunch Kara had packed for us, and switched ponds
We targeted slimers (using Ratsos tipped w/ waxxies) at the new pond
and weren't dissapointed
The action was fast! My 4 year old daughter (Isabella) was doing everything on her own!
and having a blast!
When the weather started to cool down, I asked her if she wanted leave. "Nope"! Warmed up w/ hot chocolate (also packed by Kara. Thanks!)
We caught and released more stockers
Great day, and after I read her a bedtime story that night. She said she wanted to go again tomorow
After reports from
wiperslayer like - - -
http://www.coloradofisherman.com/forum/index.php?topic=51571.0 and
http://www.coloradofisherman.com/forum/index.php?topic=51635.0 Also reports from
kusyurdaddy http://www.coloradofisherman.com/forum/index.php?topic=51635.0 I had to go...
(thanks guys!)
Told my wife I'd run errands/shop
w/ her for a few hours Sunday, if we could hit the lake after
We only had about an hour to fish, but hammered Trout and Perch (although we didn't get into any decent ones like wiper and ksuy did...
Anyway, a Lindy Rattlin Flyer spoon, Ratfinkees, Ratsos, and Swedish somethings were used. Baits were tipped w/ waxxies and Power Bait Wigglers. Only 3 holes were drilled. We caught 13 fish (in an hour) I think 7 Trout and 6 Perch.
Here are some pictures
The Lake (icemen won't recognize it..
)
Michael watching/learning
May've found kusyurdaddy's livewell?
Isabella drawing them in
and a double!
Great night, thanks
wiperslayer and
kusyurdaddy!
Fishing w/ kids
Lessons for Lurkers - Make it fun for them
- take them places where they'll get bites and catch
- Bring their favorite snacks
- Hot Chocolate w/ colored marshmellows!
- keep them warm
- kids love those little hand warmers
- they like shelters (forts, castles, hideouts, etc..)
- I have a pink milk crate that I keep filled up w/ cheap toys (Happy meal toys, and little toys from Wal Mart) When she catches a fish, she gets to pick something from the treasure chest. If we're going to a fairly easy place, she can pick two if she catches a certain number.. She loves games and prizes..
- let them pick from an assortment of jigs
- don't stay too long after they lose intrest
- always praise them (nice jigging, great hookset, What a whopper, etc..)
Icing Perch
Lessons for Lurkers (even though I only caught dinks
)
- Perch will be shallow early and late ice, but will be deeper now (mid ice season)
- they love vegetation
- they feed mostly during the day
- if you have sonar, they'll be schooled
- I try to attract them by banging a jig on the bottom.
- watch for very light bites at times (sensitive tip or spring bobber)
- if you catch one, keep fishing the area (there will be more. If they leave, they'll come back to that area)
- Perch eyes make a great bait
- Perch will suspend, but I mostly find them hugging the bottom
Looking for open water fish, I suffered two skunks in Estes Park [after work]. Not really my fault
One night I took the long rod along the river, but it was almost all frozen
I can only cast about 10 feet, and w/ 11 feet of snow/ice on the bank...
Walked to the lake, but still didn't find fish..
Went another night w/ the spinning rod, just hoping something would jerk my bait..
Focused on an inlet
and the lake
It was pretty cold
Tight Lines!
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