Fall is back? Open water fishing trip, lots of pike and some walleyes...

You always have the most detailed reports. Thanks for posting and some great pictures too!Good read.

Thanks, RM. Yeah, the wind was strong but actually lighter than forecast so was tolerable on the water and even no whitecaps.
I also did a couple of shore fishing trips in the last couple of weeks to lake O for pike and caught a few ones including a nice 10 pounder but did not post.

Also had a surprise carp catch on a vib.

No fishing for me. The crappie I uploaded to your previous post was from my last fishing trip. Cannot believe it was four weeks ago already.

Somebody said Carp?

I see. Now it is much more clear why pike and walleye do not have many chances if the ways you present your baits entice frigging carp to "bite" in December.

Congrats, right catch for that warm weather, you are lucky to be fishing on work day, I can't. Thank you for such a detailed report, that was so great read - like I've been over there...

Gotta let the ice-fisherman have some fun now.

Gotta let the ice-fisherman have some fun now.

Sorry. I meant in the last few weeks.
I am looking forward to step on hard water.

Gotta let the ice-fisherman have some fun now.

Sorry. I meant in the last few weeks.
I am looking forward to step on hard water.

I'm really trying to summon the insight to understand why hard water is so attractive. It's cold. You can't use a boat. You just sit there and are cold. Dont't get me wrong, I love watching you guys catch those fish.. from afar in my nice 25c house.

I'm a bad Canadian. I'd rather 30c+ and big fish. I like the waves, the wind, the heat, the hunt at 50mph screaming across the water.

Ditto reelinginthebigone.

We all know we drive past 10X as many fish as we drive to (even more at 50 ph...lol) but that won't stop us doing what we love to do....drive the boat fast...somewhere.
I'm in trouble now as JB's most recent (excellent) post & pics has me thinking "spring".
Man, it's going to be a long winter.
No hard water stuff for me either.

Jerkbaiter - Yes, the wind on Simcoe over the past few weeks has been wild and especially bad at night.
BTW - there has been more than 1 year over the past 10+ years when "some" people were out on Simcoe in a boat for a few weeks in early January, however, rest assured I am confident the lake will freeze over and there will be plenty of hungry fish in search of your lures or bait in the not too distant future.


That's all for now, Nancy

I think I like ice fishing more then soft water. I have a boat that has all the toys, but there is something about getting on the quad and driving around the hard water drilling holes and waiting for the fish. Not sure what it is, maybe no bouncing, maybe not being overly hot under that hot summer sun. Don't know, but I look forward to it every year, even though I catch 10X more fish in the summer.

I just love barbecuing right beside my fishing hole inside the clamshell. Hot Breakfast on the ice….can’t wait.

Some good

It’s not breakfast without peamale..

I like ice fishing...I like boat fishing...I LOVE FISHING IN THE WOODS...spring or fall and no bugs. I guess it is just being out with the birds squirrels raccoons mink chipmunks rabbits otters foxes wildturkey deer moose bears wolves coyotes...oh ya the fishing is great as well. I wear the orange jacket so I do not get shot by a hunter or the guys from Deliverance. I carry a huge 18 inch blade in case I meet the guys from Deliverance.

YYZNewf

Man, that sure looks good. You may have convinced me

Actually, I think the real reason is the tipped over beer can in your first pic Breakfast beers!

I can't wait to see you guys pull up some awesome fish through that ice. Let's see some BIG lakers.

IN fact, one of the advantages in the winter is being able to use an underwater camera to watch those lakers/whitefish hit.

One of my dreams is to put a camera on my line and watch a laker run at my lure and capture the entire run on camera. You know those crazy 20ft a second runs they do. That would be lit. Imagine how scary it looks from a baitfish perspective to see a massive laker making a run from the depths at you.

Gotta let the ice-fisherman have some fun now.

Sorry. I meant in the last few weeks.
I am looking forward to step on hard water.

I'm really trying to summon the insight to understand why hard water is so attractive. It's cold. You can't use a boat. You just sit there and are cold. Dont't get me wrong, I love watching you guys catch those fish.. from afar in my nice 25c house.

I'm a bad Canadian. I'd rather 30c+ and big fish. I like the waves, the wind, the heat, the hunt at 50mph screaming across the water.

Having proper clothes is rather the next most important thing for ice fishing after safety equipment. Unless it is a spot where you get PB after PB cold will make you feel miserable and ruin the experience.

For me a half is probably the same as yours. I like fishing and being outdoors. Ice fishing is still fishing.
other things:
it makes winter go faster;
helps to keep my belly under control. I am a walker, though i use an electric auger being in cold environment for many hours and walking on snow dragging your stuff is a good way to burn calories and improve your physical health.
the matrix is not easier on us during cold seasons. To stay saner I feel the need to disconnect from it and connect with the nature.