Fishing Report 12/06/13

[bfishn]

It was New Years Day, I believe in 1987 (could be a year or two off). We had experienced an unusually long stretch below 32 degrees, and Beaver was frozen over. I hit every ramp and road access on the west and north sides from Hickory Creek to the dam looking for a place to launch the 12' jon from the bed of my 2WD Datsun pickup. The only open water I found was at the dam. I spent an hour carrying buckets of water to the top of the ramp to thaw out a couple of tracks to the water in the snow. I trolled the entire perimeter of available open water for stripers over the next few hours, and I'm absolutely positive I was the only guy on Beaver Lake at that moment in time.

Fast forward to the present... I haven't gone beyond my mailbox since Wednesday evening.

Like the sign says, I can't dance like I used to...

[Quillback]

It was New Years Day, I believe in 1987 (could be a year or two off). We had experienced an unusually long stretch below 32 degrees, and Beaver was frozen over. I hit every ramp and road access on the west and north sides from Hickory Creek to the dam looking for a place to launch the 12' jon from the bed of my 2WD Datsun pickup. The only open water I found was at the dam. I spent an hour carrying buckets of water to the top of the ramp to thaw out a couple of tracks to the water in the snow. I trolled the entire perimeter of available open water for stripers over the next few hours, and I'm absolutely positive I was the only guy on Beaver Lake at that moment in time.

Fast forward to the present... I haven't gone beyond my mailbox since Wednesday evening.

Like the sign says, I can't dance like I used to...

Did you catch any?

[bfishn]

Not even a bite.

[J-Doc]

Not even a bite.

Lol!! well there's proof why people need to just stay at home in conditions like this

[bfishn]

From a safety and comfort standpoint, I totally agree. And if you perceive getting skunked as a failure, going to such extremes is a total waste of time.

Back then, I didn't really care if I caught much or not, I went to learn. I managed to succeed at that every time I went. On this particular trip I learned that I couldn't troll for fish that wouldn't rise above 70'. They didn't have to, being served up a continuous buffet of dead and dying shad slowly being sucked toward the dam by the 24hr generation.

[1969Larson]

B - what a great story. From the looks of your picture, you've come a long way since the jon boat. I can remember launching a jon boat from the back of a pickup... 3 guys in the boat, back down the ramp fast, slam on the breaks... away they go! Occasionally they even stay dry.

[Feathers and Fins]

Larson that brings back memories, Did it myself many times growing up gave the meaning to "Sit Down Shut Up and Hang On"

[jolicious]

I was actually able to get a few hours of lake time yesterday early afternoon. Caught 20 or so; just about all came on a crankbait. Did have a couple on top water (watching the big shadow stalk the lure before the strike is AWESOME). Best fish (5.00 - 5.50lbs) came on a black / blue jignpig. I was up by the dam, and saw most of the fish before they hit whatever I was throwing - was just an amazing day.

I wanted to hit one more spot before dark - but my lovely bride came into the spare bedroom and told me it was time for bed so that I'd be up in tim efor work this morning.

Soon as I get home this evening I'm firing up the Playstation3 and heading back to the lake

[Quillback]

Jolicious you had me going.... I was one step away from hooking up the boat and digging out the black/blue jigs.

[Feathers and Fins]

Joe I have some words for you but they are not fitting this board. I am dieing to get out for some hunting the birds are thick and no way I can get there with this ice on the roads... Maybe if I was in MO where the roads are clear I could.