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| Fishing Forum > Lake Nipissing > The countdown is on! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 22, 2018 - 04:55 pm |
| The time has finally come! Heading up to chilly willy's in 2 weeks and we can't wait! 4 of us going up, myself, my dad (board member "pond"), board member doublewhiskyandcokenoice, and our buddy Hugh. Has anyone else been fishing at chilly willy's? How's the bite been? Sounds like it's generally good on nipissing, we're new to the lake, I know we'll come back with some good stories, and hopefully we come back with some good fish pics!! |
| Posted by: Icehog Feb 22, 2018 - 05:09 pm |
| I have been ice fishing for years up there. It's hit am miss but for the most part it's been very good. Jigging works best with a Northland buckshot spoon pink or blue in colour tipped with a minnow. If you don't catch you will have great memories with your dad and friends. Enjoy every moment you can you only have one dad. I am going up in a week. I will post while i am there so keep looking. Tight lines and good luck |
| Posted by: FishingChef Feb 22, 2018 - 06:31 pm |
| Fishing Lake Nipissing has been great for me. I have had a lot of luck up there and most times, lots of bites. I find a lot of the Northland Buckshot spoons (UV Pink, green, purple and yellow) have worked for me and Clam Blade Spoons. I will be going up in 1 week and will keep posted while there. Tight lines!!! |
| Posted by: Chevy Feb 22, 2018 - 06:54 pm |
| Your going to have a blast. Simple works great up there. Hook and a split shot with a lively minnow. As mentioned Northlands spoons ( my personal favourites). If the bite is light then pinheads or just the head. It's easy to get distracted joking around and such but the big one can bite when you least expect it. Take it all in Jay... I'm sure you know this but I'll say it anyway, we love pictures. Have a great time buddy. Cheers, Kerry |
| Posted by: FatRap Feb 22, 2018 - 08:07 pm |
| 2 weeks????? A little premature jay......lol🎣🎣🎣 |
| Posted by: Chevy Feb 22, 2018 - 08:35 pm | ||
I'm not even going and I'm excited  |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 22, 2018 - 08:52 pm |
| Thanks all! I think we're all set for gear, I even picked up a couple of glowshot spoons tonight. I think I got the last 2 in Burlington, I looked everywhere lol. FatRap, I couldn't wait any longer to post, I'm too excited. You guys make it look like such a great time up there that I'll have to blame this on you haha! And Kerry I'm sure we'll have a bunch of great pics to share! Are you guys gonna be at the m&g? If so I'll definitely make sure to say hello! |
| Posted by: FatRap Feb 23, 2018 - 11:07 am | ||
Lol, I hear you. It's a killer sitting down here waiting and reading about everyone else's trips  Oh and by the way we don't count down in weeks or days, we count down on how many more sleeps until the big day so I guess it is 13 more sleeps for you guys now  I am not going to the meet and greet this year, seems a couple of members have some issues with me and I would rather just avoid having to confront them on the ice. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 23, 2018 - 12:17 pm | ||||
Well 13 sleeps it's is then lol! Too bad you won't be out at the m&g man, I hope eventually things will work out. |
| Posted by: FatRap Feb 23, 2018 - 02:32 pm | ||||||
There is a time and a place for everything  |
| Posted by: Pond Feb 23, 2018 - 04:55 pm |
Where did you say we're going??  |
| Posted by: TheBlueWalleyes Feb 23, 2018 - 05:38 pm |
| Siting on a GO train counting .... 14 sleeps until our West Arm trip to Regan and Goldie's place. Hoping for forgiveness from everyone else in Ontario for wishing for another visit from the vortex.... Bit I'm sure you guys wouldn't mind... |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 23, 2018 - 05:47 pm | ||||||||
I hear ya buddy |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 23, 2018 - 05:49 pm | ||
It doesn't matter, we're all bringing weisers!  |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 23, 2018 - 05:51 pm | ||
Hey not at all! Bring on more ice! Hopefully between all of us someone lands a lunker!! |
| Posted by: Chevy Feb 24, 2018 - 07:39 am | ||
Sorry Jay, I'm also unable to attend the M&G. It would be great to meet you and fellow members. Cheers |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 24, 2018 - 05:44 pm | ||||
That's alright, maybe next time! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 26, 2018 - 07:38 pm |
| 10 more sleeps!! |
| Posted by: FatRap Feb 27, 2018 - 08:53 am | ||
LMAO |
| Posted by: Time Bandit Feb 27, 2018 - 09:08 am |
| Only a few more sleeps and I am there. Hope this fishing is going to be good. |
| Posted by: FatRap Feb 27, 2018 - 09:37 am | ||
What operator are you guys going out with? |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 27, 2018 - 12:16 pm | ||||
Haha thought you'd like that! We're going out with Scott at chilly willy's. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Feb 27, 2018 - 12:17 pm | ||
Same here! Are you going with chilly willy's? |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 01, 2018 - 08:27 pm |
| 7 sleeps! |
| Posted by: Longshank Mar 01, 2018 - 09:43 pm |
| Have a good one and was nice to meet you at M&G as mentioned, simple split shot and minnow did a lot of damage for us earlier gl |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 01, 2018 - 10:05 pm | ||
Thanks very much, it was nice to meet you as well! And that set up seems to be pretty popular, that big walleye in the video posted this week came on the same, kinda forces me to try that first haha |
| Posted by: Northhunter Mar 01, 2018 - 11:16 pm |
| A small green/yellow or pink jig will also work very well. Just enough to get a tail hooked shiner down. 1/4oz is too heavy - the bait being able to swim is key. |
| Posted by: Longshank Mar 02, 2018 - 01:34 am | ||||
Only thing you need to worry about if forcing yourself to get some sleep up there, Our biggest problem. Too much to do and so little time, so I seems |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 02, 2018 - 06:05 am | ||||||
I know, these trips seem to go fast! I'm sure I'll be able to get a bit of sleep if I bring some earplugs and weisers lol. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 05, 2018 - 07:53 pm |
Hey FatRap, 3 more sleeps!!!  the countdown has now entered intense mode, I was even packing gear tonight, I can't wait! Has anyone been fishing at chilly willy's the last couple of weeks? How's the fishing? |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 05, 2018 - 10:50 pm | ||
might as well say two more sleeps you probably won't sleep the night before you leave. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 06, 2018 - 05:40 am | ||||
Haha very true! |
| Posted by: Chevy Mar 06, 2018 - 06:31 am |
| Agreed, your night before sleep will equal a 6 year olds Christmas Eve sleep. That morning alarm can't come soon enough. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 06, 2018 - 12:24 pm | ||
I already haven't slept great the last 2 nights man  |
| Posted by: Chevy Mar 06, 2018 - 02:14 pm | ||||
Sad part Jay, there's no cure |
| Posted by: MCL83 Mar 06, 2018 - 02:17 pm |
| I feel ya buddy. Back before the kids we use to leave at midnight and hit the casino for a few hours because none of us were sleeping anyways. We would be at the outfitter banging on the door by 7am to let us in. Now with kids we leave at 4am instead. I agree it's like Xmas eve! Lol |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 06, 2018 - 08:13 pm |
im gonna have a couple of beers tonight so I can sleep haha! I'm super excited now though, I just got off the phone with Scott and it sounds like the fishing is great up there right now! Most of the gear is at the front door already, I can't wait  |
| Posted by: Longshank Mar 06, 2018 - 08:18 pm |
| soon, you will be doing what I did this year.......go up a day earlier to scratch that itch still didn't gain on any sleep tho... guys, we got it bad  |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 06, 2018 - 09:31 pm | ||
It's a tough life, but someone's gotta catch the fish!! Cheers Shank! |
| Posted by: Northhunter Mar 06, 2018 - 09:46 pm |
| Been there, this year the reports were crazy and I had it bad. Ha.. try telling the wife/gf that you can't sleep 3 days ahead because of "fishing". lol I have a new dilemma.. we only do one trip. Used to do mid/late Feb, which helps break up the season.. but the fishing is better beginning/end of season. Do you hit the January rush and live in agony until spring or book for March and live in agony from Jan 1st until then? |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 06, 2018 - 10:37 pm | ||
January and late February/early March sounds good to me |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 07, 2018 - 06:45 am | ||
We couldn't really do January and I just went with our operators advice on as late as possible. Seems to me, from the posts I've seen the fishings been good up there all winter! But I know what you mean, I've been thinking about the trip the whole time lol. |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 07, 2018 - 08:54 am | ||||
Bear Creek posted this morning that the ice conditions are still good and the perch fishing is turning on, you guys should do pretty good this weekend. What is it now 2 more sleeps |
| Posted by: Northhunter Mar 07, 2018 - 09:50 am |
| This year it stayed hot, but it was mostly 'eyes (very few perch.. that seems to have changed recently). Most years there tends to be a lull. We've never done January. Tried a couple times and it just never materialized. For different reasons we have experienced 2 years now where we weren't able to go at all, so in the end we are just happy to. We have never done bad in March, but if you book it that late ya never know what the ice will be like either. We were an operators last group on the ice one year. A day later and we would have been canceled. We've had a couple times where we've longed for the brazen, in your face ferocity and numbers of the famed Nip first ice walleye bite and I think we hit it this year... or at least came close with an estimated 60 fish between two guys. But now having had it both ways I think I'd prefer the slower paced, more rewarding variety. Drinking a beer and keeping a line in the water should not be made a chore. Heaven forbid if you smoke too.. good luck with that lol That and I'd rather mix in a perch bite or two to keep things interesting while hoping for a shot at a keeper walleye as opposed to the same number of nothing but walleye with the same hoping for a keeper walleye. But that's just me. |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 07, 2018 - 11:08 am | ||
To me it is more about the good times with good friends,, the fishing is just a bonus and all we hope for is one decent fish fry over the four days we are up there. Early ice just as late ice you are always risking the ice conditions, it is a gamble either way. I find it is just as hard reading the posts before heading up as it is after you have been up......either way you are always wishing you were there. |
| Posted by: Longshank Mar 07, 2018 - 01:11 pm |
| I think it has been an amazing ice season up there this year. for me as well it's the whole package , from planning to arriving and then catching whatever bites. Having great food and company plus a few awesome beverages rounds it all out. I got my first keeper eye this year (3 of them) since 5 years ago and it happened to be a PB Icing on the cake.but if I had not the slot sizers and perch were more than plentifull. I also agree that some days it's to good, meaning I am running a sweat to keep a line down there. That's rough but do able. Just wish I could spend like 2 weeks up there |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 07, 2018 - 04:36 pm |
| Well although it sounds like great fishing, it is all about getting together and having a good time, fish are a great bonus though! You never know with fishing, last weekend could have been hot and this weekend could be a skunk, it's all up in the air. Thanks very much for all the input as usual everyone! And as far as sleeps, 1 more sleep! We leave tomorrow morning and I cant wait!! I've realized recently that my phone doesn't seem to want to work certain websites (including this one) unless I'm on wifi so I don't know if I'll be doing any updates. I'll definitely do a post when we're back, maybe I can figure out how to make it work when we're up there though! |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 07, 2018 - 06:16 pm |
| Good luck to you and your crew jay and good luck trying to sleep tonight....lol. You guys are going up at a good time, the fishing should be good for you guys. Party hard, fish harder the secret to my success on Nipissing Hope you get to enjoy a fish fry while you are up there......tight lines. Drive safe. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 07, 2018 - 07:40 pm |
| Hey FatRap thanks very much man! The internet seems to be working for me, I may be able to post an update or two! |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 07, 2018 - 07:57 pm | ||
Enjoy |
| Posted by: Chevy Mar 07, 2018 - 09:15 pm |
| Have a great trip Jay. Looking forward to hearing about time on Nipissing. Go get'em and have fun. Cheers, Kerry |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 07, 2018 - 09:23 pm | ||
Thanks Kerry I'll be sure to let you guys know how we do, Cheers! |
| Posted by: fishmagnet Mar 07, 2018 - 10:24 pm |
| Looking forward to the reports and fingers crossed some live ones.. Good luck.  |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 08, 2018 - 05:46 am | ||
Thanks Fishmagnet! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 09, 2018 - 12:38 pm |
| Well we've been fishing for 24 hours now, fishings been slow, but I'd say we've brought in about a dozen or so walleye a couple of small pike, a couple perch, and a couple of mud puppies. Biggest walleye have been around 16". The place is great and so are our hosts! And from what I remember I had a pretty good time last night lol. I'm planning on catching something really big today so I'll be sure to update with pics haha. Anyhow, back to fishing, cheers! |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 09, 2018 - 12:59 pm |
| Good to hear you made it up and are catching some fish Persistence will catch you that big one |
| Posted by: Chevy Mar 09, 2018 - 04:37 pm |
| Excellent! Keep at'er. Cheers 🍻 |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 09, 2018 - 05:51 pm |
| Pretty brutal today guys, we each caught 1 I think, there's been a snow storm all day, maybe it's what's messing up the fishing.. at least I wasn't at work I guess! Hopefully it'll pick up this evening. |
| Posted by: Bayliner Mar 09, 2018 - 07:02 pm |
| Sitting in a warm hut, drinking in a snow storm,,,,,,,,,,,nothing better than that Jay. |
| Posted by: Longshank Mar 09, 2018 - 07:29 pm | ||
hooking a big girl would top it off nicely |
| Posted by: Bayliner Mar 09, 2018 - 07:35 pm |
| I stand corrected Werner. I'm in Friday mode. |
| Posted by: Northhunter Mar 10, 2018 - 08:16 am | ||
Those are the days we put the pinheads to work, or start picking the smallest shiners out of the bucket. Hooked lightly behind the dorsal, small single hook or light jighead and let that sucker swim succulently until something taps the rod We've outfished a few huts that way this time of year. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 10, 2018 - 01:10 pm |
| Well fishing has been much better today! Quite a few wally's, but still no big guys. Except of course for the monster Hugh just caught!!!! 17lbs 11oz! |
| Posted by: Longshank Mar 10, 2018 - 02:11 pm |
| nice, that was exciting I bet,,,,good shooting |
| Posted by: ldub Mar 10, 2018 - 03:34 pm |
| Awesome gator. That deserves a round or 17 one for each pound. |
| Posted by: Chevy Mar 10, 2018 - 03:42 pm |
| Beauty gator! |
| Posted by: hammerincameron Mar 10, 2018 - 04:16 pm |
| WoW what a pig! |
| Posted by: Mr Meat Mar 10, 2018 - 07:49 pm |
| Great fish! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:31 pm |
| Well that ended up being the biggest fish of the weekend, it was an exciting moment for sure! We made it back home in one piece, what a great weekend, now I see what you guys were talking about up there! Even though the fishing was a bit slow, we still caught quite a few fish. Lost count of the walleyes, but we got into a few of them each day. we caught lots around 15-16 inches, biggest one was 17". A couple of small pike, and a couple perch. I can't say enough about our accommodations, the shack was really comfortable, and Scott and Ryan really looked after us. I definitely recommend these guys! Anyhow, guess I'll put the ice gear away, that's it for me this year, what a great way to end it, cheers! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:32 pm |
| First fish of the weekend! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:32 pm |
| 17" walleye |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:33 pm |
| Checkers |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:34 pm |
| Another shot of the pike |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:36 pm |
| It snowed all day friday |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:37 pm |
| Driving on the ice! Never experienced it before, totally normal up there though! |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 01:40 pm |
| Such a great time! |
| Posted by: Chevy Mar 11, 2018 - 02:26 pm |
| Only about 360 sleeps to go Jay. Glad to hear you boys had a great trip. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 11, 2018 - 02:42 pm | ||
Bwahahaha sounds about right Kerry! Thanks! And ya I think we're gonna have to make this a yearly thing. |
| Posted by: FatRap Mar 12, 2018 - 10:06 am |
| Fixed your pictures Jay. Great report, sounds like you guys had a great time but I guess that is to be expected. Fishing sounds like it was decent enough and I am sure that beauty pike made your guys weekend, well at least for the guy who caught it. Glad it was worth the wait and I am sure now that you have experienced a weekend on the ice on Nipissing you will be back for more, the countdown doesn't get any easier though Thanks for the update and good luck this soft water season |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 12, 2018 - 04:22 pm | ||
Thank you sir! And good luck to you as well |
| Posted by: Pond Mar 13, 2018 - 08:42 am |
| It should probably be mentioned that the pike was caught on 8 lb. mono tied directly to a small jig. No leader or swivel. It just fit through the hole with a lot of help from Jay. |
| Posted by: TheBlueWalleyes Mar 13, 2018 - 09:48 am |
| Yup - same rig My bro' was using to get pike on West Arm. Jig head with minnow tied directly to mono. One of the rare cases where he didn't use a bottom bouncer. Guess I wasn't back-trolling the hut fast enough for his liking. Nice pike! |
| Posted by: fishmagnet Mar 13, 2018 - 10:01 am |
| Sounds like you guys did all right and yes the countdown is on for next year. Thanks Iceman for the report and pics. |
| Posted by: Icemanjay Mar 13, 2018 - 07:46 pm |
| Thanks guys! Next time we should fish with tip up line.... and gloves haha! |