Jan 27 & 28 - Lakers

Was not able to get out and fish Saturday, which I wanted to, so I decided Sunday would work. After hearing stories of success I felt like Sunday would be slow for some reason. Was not entirely wrong. I decided to fish off Shanty Bay, ORO Line 2 on Sun (Jan 28th) in search of of my first lakers...

We got there very early, arrived at 5:45 am and there were 2 cars in the parking..we were the 3rd. No on had walked out, so we suited out and got our walk on...

I led the way and spudded out as I had not been on the ice out here this season...Found 4" in 80ft. (1st test hole).

Walked out and found 120ft. crossed some large cracks with one stud right through...Set up and marked fish..Did not bring the hut, so that I could move around. It was cold...As light started to break I felt relief...On the deep water for the first time...There is something about that feeling that only some can understand...

Decided to capture the moment...



As the light broke I was shocked to see all the hut's way... out there.. I mean some were well into the lake..
Hard to see but some were well past BBP....They looked really tall for some reason..


Were ended up on 4" of solid ice...


Clearing the hole like this was an awesome idea...Cause when you get the trout to the surface, you gotta love the fact that you can see the fish... (JAN 28th...)


The fish finder was very active all day. Took a lot to get them to commit but we figured it out. Bite was best around 10-12 then 2-3.....

Here are a few....

BUDDY's FAT PIG - STOCKED FISH


Me with a nice one...




Fish finder was giving us some good intel...Could only see the fish.. the current's had out lines on a 35 degree angle..

Last hole of the day...Tried shallow with no luck...


Another healthy fish.


Ended up being a keeper...was because he was a bleeder..


Around 4pm we were sitting in 90 ft (maybe 4") of water seeing if we could get some shallow whitties and a family 4 people (2 adults and 1 young kid maybe 5, with a very small baby in a sled...

I cautioned them that there was only 4" of ice and it was about 100 ft of water here...just an FYI and the wife....right away said "ARE you KIDDING me." and started to walk quickly back.. About 50ft behind them were the older grandparents I am assuming and questioned it, but she made the executive decision and walked back...

Who goes for a family walk on the ice...Just because there are a bunch of crazy fishermen on the ice does not mean it is safe...Sure conditions were favorable, but look at Miha's post with the crack through his augered holes and with the current, who knows what can happen...Glad they turned back....

Went out today (Jan 28) and braved the brutal drive from Toronto (2 hours) and slow... but I was determined to make it. Arrived at 715 and opted to park on the road, not on the lot as they were calling for freezing rain and was not going to get stuck.. Managed 4 Lakers and 2 whitties all from 10-12....As soon as a switch to something I traditionally would not try it was GOLD!!! I brought my hut due to crap weather and it was good other wise I would have had the whole lake coming to SPUD holes near me.

By there way...who spud's hole...buy a freaking auger, you scare all the fish.....Dont like it one bit when people set up 30 ft from you and stud holes... happened on Jan 27th and today....

Here are some photo's... I make a video of the laker but it is massive so I need to compress and upload it at some point. My camera did not work as well as planned. I need a waterproof a fish slime proof one..





Took this screen shot from the video. Not great.



Was pouring rain when I left.



Wow looks at all the people on the ice.
parked up.



All in all a good Sunday and Monday...Hopefully this weather does not ruin the ice.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO STAY OFF THE ICE UNTIL THE COLD RETURNS AND IT HAS A CHANCE TO MAKE SOME MORE ICE.

thanks for the report, and good going. As said before, I can hardly wait to decent ice.

Sweet report thanks for read and photos were sweet too.

Great report Evanxrs, thanks

Well done, excellent report and pics, thanks for that.

Great report and pics.

Thanks for the excellent report, and what nice lakers! I can't wait for this coming Saturday to come real quick to try my luck.

I have never been to ORO Line 2, but from your photo I assume you can park on street side (by ORO Line 2)?

That is correct.
You can park in the lot or on the street.
There is another small lot just up the road in the small park where the public dock is.

lol at people still having spuds.

that made me laugh


oh and nice fish

Thanks for the info. I guess to 'secure' a parking spot close enough to where I'd walk onto ice on the lake, I need to be present or "present" myself there by 5:00AM or even earlier. Or not!

:-0)

Nice Lakers and congrats on the Whities also.

Nice laker



I wonder how the ice is going to hold up the next few days with plus 11 and rain in the forecast ...

Nice report and nice fish. thanks evanxrs.

Thought it was pretty decent of you to warn that family of the ice conditions, I am sure they appreciated it.

Fish On
FatRap

Great report and photos.

sunrise shot is awesome.

Some really chunky lakers showing up this year.

We were ready yesterday morning, but that drive with the roads made us wait a bit longer...