The Year of 2020 Just Keeps on Giving

Fishing Time: 8:30 am to 11:00 am

Weather: -2 degrees on arrival, but sunny with no wind

Moon Phase:  Full Moon

Location:  Strawberry Reservoir

Best Bait: White cutter bug tipped with a minnow

Who Went:  Bobber John, Anthony Schuler, Devin Duncan, Addison Duncan, Dayton Duncan, Dunc

It’s Christmas break and the kids want to ice fish.  The plan was Scofield, but a last-minute decision had us at Strawberry hoping for safe ice.  We slowly made our way out and conducted an ice check…  

Ice was 3-4 inches, but water depth was only 10 ft.  We kept venturing out and another ice check had us at 3 inches of ice and 24 ft deep, so we set up the tent, and rigged up the rods.  

The fish finder was not showing any fish and after a half hour with no bites I decided we needed to make a move.  We packed everything up and wandered further out into the lake.  Drilled some holes and now had 2-2.5 inches of ice and 34 ft deep.  I dropped the fish finder in and immediately saw fish.

Devin was the first to strike with a nice cutthroat and followed it up with another one shortly after.  We were in a good spot, so I set up the tent and was getting the kids comfortable when it happened…

It felt like an earthquake and the ice started shaking and rumbling.  A large crack made its way through our tent and continued across the lake.  Addi looked at me with pure fear in her eyes and said, “I wanna go home”.  Honestly, I didn’t blame her, and it was a bit scary, but we were catching fish and the weather was perfect!  I tried talking to her, but then another rumble came from below and I knew we were done. 

We started packing up and Bobber looked over to see his rod getting bites.  He ran as fast as he could, but the rod disappeared through the ice hole right as he got there.  Then 30 seconds later his boy Anthony stepped into an open ice hole and was soaked from the waist down.  It was getting better by the second. 

Then to top things off we found parking tickets on our vehicles after hauling all the gear off the rumbling ice.  We drove over to the store, paid our $12-dollar tickets and headed home.  I was complaining about the trip and Devin had a great comment.  He said, “Dad it is 2020 you know”.  I laughed and said, “Your right son, I will quit complaining”. 

Bear Lake Whitefish

Fishing Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Weather:  Cold, slight breeze, T-20s

Moon Phase: New Moon

Location:  Bear Lake, second point

Best Baits: Curly tail grub tipped with worm

Who Went:  Rick Everson, Bobber John, Dunc

After a long drought fishing with the trio we decided we needed to get out somewhere together.  Not many options this time of year, but the Bear Lake Whitefish are always fun.  We were going to take the boat, but threats of snow caused us to take the waders instead.  We arrived to cold, but decent conditions.  Rick had a great idea and brought his ice shack and heater.  We set it up and it was a lifesaver for cold hands and feet.  The fishing was slower than usual, but we managed to pull in a few.  The curly tail grub on an 1/8^th oz jig head in any color was still the best producer.