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Outdoor Adventure Log

Archive for December, 2011

Nebraska and Wyoming ice

Dec 27

Posted by Erik & Michelle in ice fishing | No Comments

Monday morning we left Ogden, Utah after Christmas with our family in Idaho.  By 6pm we were in the middle of Nebraska ready to fish.  One of our favorite spots which had monster gills and crappie was the goal.  When we arrived at dark-thirty Tuesday morning we found our area with a gps and began jigging.  The sound of geese and ducks was the clue that there was still open water on the lake  and the lack of fish coming out of the hole confirmed our disappointment.  The fish just aren’t under the ice if there is good oxygen elsewhere.  So, we packed up and headed back to Casper so we could drive another 100 miles to the north to try our luck there.  This trout spot is as hot as ever.  Erik iced nearly 20 fish and the population is as healthy as ever.  We fished until 3pm before heading back to Casper.

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Pathfinder

Dec 17

Posted by Erik & Michelle in ice fishing | 1 Comment

When we left Casper this morning it was 35º and windy.  As we approached the Sweetwater arm, the tempurature and windspeeds plumeted.  By time we reached the ice it was calm and 3º.  We invited the Hallocks and our friend Ken to join us for some fast tip-up action.  The action wasn’t nearly as fast as we are used to on this reservoir, but we still had a great time catching and releasing more than 2 dozen fish and keeping 4 for the grill (all over 20″).  Tip-up fishing gets crazy becuase the fish will move through in schools and several flags will pop up within a few very short minutes of each other.  Each member of the group runs for the next flag and slides in for the chance at a hookset.  VERY exciting.  Then in between flurries there is time to snack and share stories :) Great trip for friends and socializing!!

On the way home we had a big surprise!  We found 6 antelope horn sheaths as we were driving along a fencline that antelope frequently duck under as they move throughout there range. It was  a really interesting and surprising occurance!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

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Two days at Muddy Guard

Dec 11

Posted by Erik & Michelle in ice fishing | No Comments

We always make sure to bring the 9″ auger to this lake!  It is not uncommon to pull 20+” trout on the ice and they are fat.  A multi-species fishery with rainbows, cuttbows, cutthroat  and browns!  We probably only average one or two fish every hour but with the size and quality so good it is worth the time and effort.  The weather this weekend was perfect!  Sunny, calm and high 30′s.  On Saturday we landed a dozen fish with the biggest rainbow being 23″ with a 14″ girth and the biggest cutthroat going 21″. We fished with a couple good friends Tyler and Taya Hallock.

Sunday morning and Erik was awake at 4:00 ready to try it again.  We only fished till 10:30 this morning but landed half a dozen 18″+ rainbows and cutthroats. The weather was again amazingly perfect, sunny and warm.

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