Organized and hopeful on first ice trip

Last week, we wrapped up the general big-game hunting season in this space. I’m done whining now and looking forward towards a super ice-fishing season.

How super? Well, every time I drill a hole, I plan to catch a big fish. Actually, plenty of big fish out of every hole.

Most of the perch will be over a foot long. Trout over 20 inches. And no pike less than 10 pounds. Throw in a limit of 15-inch kokanee, some 3-pound lake whitefish, and a few macs over 15 pounds and I’ll be happier than a clam in a Clam shelter.

Early last week, I took my first early-season “shakedown” trip to Lower Stillwater Lake. This year, I remembered the ice dipper I’d forgotten on last year’s first trip — and the dog treats.

I packed two rods with new line and new tube jigs and a container of fresh bee moth larvae, or waxworms. I remembered to drain the oil from my StrikeMaster auger, but when I found I didn’t have any synthetic replacement oil, I packed a hand auger instead.

When pike-spearers cut a big hole, they often leave the ice blocks on the ice to warn other anglers of open water. When I arrived at the lake, I found blocks of ice more than 14 inches thick. Whoops. Too much ice for my hand auger and aged shoulders.

I kicked in a few recently-used holes and in nearly three hours caught two perch, both under 8 inches.

I forgot a stool.

Maggie enjoyed running on the ice and sniffing old holes for remnants of someone’s lunch.

When the sun dropped below the west-side mountains, I gathered my stuff and headed back to the truck.

I’m hoping to catch more fish on my next trip. Hoping. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Have a merry Christmas.