Grouse Hollow Journal for the week of January 2, 2014

Grouse Hollow Journal for the week of January 2, 2013 by Greg Koelker

Ellen and I went fishing the day after Christmas at Stoddard Bay.  It was chilly and the going was harder than usual as we (mostly she) dragged our Frabill sled and shanty way out to what I call the far line, a deep channel between the islands and the outer berm.  After drilling some weedy holes and moving around checking a few other likely looking spots, we finally settled near one of the islands in the bay drilling holes in ice over around 7 feet of water.  I set up the Fishcam for Ellen to use and I used my new Vexillar.  We sat side-by-side on the seats of our two-man ice shanty set up as a wind break, jigging tungsten baits with waxworms and spikes, chatting quietly, and enjoying the sunshine and atmosphere of being out on the ice.  We could smell charcoal from a grill and there was someone with a radio on in a shack.  There were four wheelers and snowmobiles darting across the ice, dragging sleds and pulling trailers loaded with gear and fishermen.  When one of us pulled up a decent fish, we admired it, maybe took a picture, and then tossed it back down the hole.  I  notice a couple young men near us exchanging curious glances whenever released fish.  (We have enough for a fish fry at home, so we'll wait to keep more.)  We caught a lot of little ones and lost quite a few worms to bait stealers.  It started got cold so we headed back in.  It didn't take long to get warmed up dragging the sled through 6 inches of snow.  We got a treat from Ma Nature as the sun slipped down into the Minnesota bluffs with a “red sky at night sailor's delight” light show in its wake.

Vince Ruetten and I got out on the ice behind Gundersen Lutheran last week too.  We fished in over 20 feet of water, using our flashers to “see” and find fish.  We caught a few, but mostly we just enjoyed catching up and the sunshine on the snow.  After lunch at the Bodega, Vince and I picked up carpool buddy Bob Bonine and went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.  The theater was packed and we had to stand in line outside to get tickets; however most of the movie goers must have been seeing other pictures as our theater wasn't that crowded.  The film was 161 minutes long and most just good fun as the heroes battled orcs, giant spiders, and the villainous and humongous dragon Smaug.  Of course we were left hanging for the final edition set to come out next Christmas.  

Anyway, lately I have been reading In-Fisherman magazine and looking at some flasher videos  (fish flashers that is) featuring “pro” ice fishermen, and the advice often given is to have dozens of fishing lures ready to change often, drill a 100 holes though the ice, and move around until you find fish and move if they stop biting until you find them again.  I have to admit that if I am not catching fish and I am fishing alone, I will move around some, but I think the mentality of move move move, kind of misses the point and all the gear unnecessarily complicates what is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, not a frantic competition for numbers.   Of course lately when I go out on the ice, I drag my shanty, a power ice auger, at least half-a-dozen poles, a small tackle box, a heater, scoop, a couple tip-downs and a tip up, a flasher and a fish cam, so . . . 

Until next time, get out - some people were on the news griping that the presents and stuff they ordered and paid extra to get there before Christmas didn't make it in time.  One congressman even suggested that the shippers should refund the cost of the items that were late to customers.  That's too bad, but I wonder; there were ice storms all over the midwest and east, blizzards in the north, south, east and west, bad road conditions everywhere, airport delays and huge electrical outages all over, some still in effect as I write this.  Package delivery depots had to be mightily affected by the weather and the poor delivery people . . .  I have to add that I ordered my Vexilar on the Saturday before Christmas and it came by UPS on Tuesday.  I ordered a calendar from Walmart the Monday before Christmas and it came on the Thursday after by Fed Ex.  Our postman brought several packages to our door that were ordered just two days before.  I am amazed at how that can be done so quickly.  El and I want to say a special thank you to Brian and the rest of the Stoddard Post Office staff for the great service you provide.  I'd extend that to the UPS and Fed Ex and other delivery people too.  To those devastated gift givers and givees who didn't get their stuff on time, remember the old adage, “Good things come to those who wait."  Not good enough?  How about that the upside is that your holiday gets extended a little.  Okay, Aristotle once said, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” Nuf Said.  Hope your new year is sweet.  Enjoy.