First Ice Brookies!, good to get out

Got out today. There was ice. Not much of it. Explored a whole shoreline a while until my spud didn't splash instantly. I was alone so not too keen on taking chances. Seemed like ice would hold me, but I wasn't comfortable walking out.....so....a log?...what can I stand on?....oh wait, I saw a canoe in the bush!

I shoved it out and walked from the brush, into the canoe, up to the front and chiselled a hole...hmmm. 18 inches of water. Good enough!
I've never sight fished brookies sitting in a canoe on 2.5-3" of ice before, but it was fun! Good to get out and enjoy some sunshine and wet a line. Watching my jig, I see this little Brookie come in and take a couple passes through the hole. Caught it right after on a bare bucktail jig.
After an hour or so, I got brave and stepped out into the ice, holding the gunnels, and it was ok. Water was rising and lowering in the holes, so somewhat sketchy. So I put one foot in the canoe, one on the ice, hands on gunnels, and 'skateboarded' out another 20 feet or so...this time 4ft of water.

Only brought one pack rod, so Set up a stick with a hook and worm for my second line, and missed a viscous hit as I lowered it into the water. Had that balanced on the canoe for the rest of the time and managed one more little guy on that setup.

10 incher maybe

At this point I wondered...can I use two lines ...I'm sitting in a canoe, it feels wrong...but, I AM fishing through the ice, so good to go!

I guess the two together would have made a good snack, but they both went back to grow up some.

And yeah, I know brookies close sept 30, but not everywhere!

Has anyone else ever sat in a canoe with a spud bar? It was a first for me, for sure.

Well done

they are so beautiful. WTG

No need to justify legal fishing with your 2 lines through the ice! I’ve done the same from a dock with only 1” of ice, sat on the dock where it’s safe but 2 lines and lots of holes drilled from the dock. If people give you a hard time about fishing a stocked put and take lake especially remind them it’s essentially a big trout pond! Catch and release is great but sometimes if it’s dead you might as well use the meat!

This post has been edited by Fishinbeatsworkin on Dec 08, 2020 - 08:14 pm

well done

That's awesome! That's truly first ice!

well done Drew

beauty fish no matter the size

Yes. Also tried the skateboarding trick but it didn't work too well in my case - canoe kept braking through.

I'm not saying you're not crazy, but at least you're in good company lol.

That put a smile on my face this morning. Thanks for sharing Drew

That first picture is a classic!...made me laugh!!

That’s a great report...it made me laugh for sure. Crazy ,yes....insane,no. Nice to hear the back lakes are starting to freeze.BTW,did you put my canoe back?😊

Truly well done You are inspiring me to start ice fishing way earlier than I planned.