Fun on the big BLUE known as Bear

[kokaddict]

As most of you that know me are aware, I don't post much online due to all the political BS; however I've been requested enough lately that I thought I'd share a few for those looking for an update.

Fishing has been excellent over that past few months; however it's temperamental like always.

If/when you go out on the lake this time of year, make sure your gear is 100% ready for EXTREME cold weather. Last time out, it was -28 when we hit the lake edge. I have had to pull two boats off the lake since the middle of November and I know of another that was pulled off due to engine troubles less than a week ago. Please note that if you get caught on the lake unprepared, it could turn VERY ugly VERY quickly so please be careful.

The Mackinaw run was dismal, proving to be about one-third of last year's count..we were barely able to boat 73 brutes this past season. I believe that's mostly due to the lower water levels. The cut numbers are similar. Typical days we are now only boating 18-20 fish, most in the normal 3.5-4.5 pound range, so it's slower than expected, but not bad. A few cuts are still coming in at or around the 6.5-7lb mark, but again, in fewer numbers than in previous years.

As of this morning, ice has taken over the lake; however only just. Other than a dinky paddle boat, we were the last boat on the lake Wednesday and about 65% of the lake was frozen. The cisco still are out about 25-40 feet, but in good numbers so it wont be long before they are much closer. I suspect the cisco run will be about 8 days out yet. Whether we'll be cutting holes in the ice to get to them or not has yet to be seen. My guess is no, but we'll see.

Again, like in years past, the typical approach of jigging on spots with cisco tipped tub jigs is working well this season too. Sucker meat is also proving to be a great attractant in the last few weeks as we near the cisco run.

I have attached a little fish-porn from some of recent trips for those needing a fix. I tried posting a lot more, but apparently this forum only allows 5. The first picture however, is a late evening photo of the 5th cut over 12 lbs we've landed out of Bear now...

Hope you are all staying warm!
Tight Lines

-Kokaddict

[Bduck]

Nice brutes Marlow and welcome back but I think I'll stay in hibernation for a while longer. It gets to be a lot of work when fighting the cold more than fighting fish. Unlike last year when ice wasn't a huge problem, I won't run the risk of any kind of boat damage. It has been really exceptionally BRRRRRR cold this month with temps near 0 or - just here in the Salt Lake Valley. Conditions can & at times will be worse around that body of water. Its going to be along winter with a heavy saturation of cabin fever.