Stoney Creek outing Sunday 1/6/02 [Archive] - The Michigan Sportsman Forums

Joe'sCat

01-02-2002, 07:57 PM

I'd also love to go! I was off these past two weeks, and couldn't ice fish due to no ice.

I visited Stoney, middle lake, last week. I easily put my boot through the ice at the SE shoreline, and there were very large areas of open water, especially in the current area that runs from 28 mile road, down to the large lake. We'll have to see how the conditions are this coming weekend. . . I hate to be a downer though! I walked all around that shoreline, and many areas were little ice, some were quite skimmed over.

That spot is one of my favorite spots, pretty much where I started ice fishing last year. Rick was nice enough to see me on this message forum, and met me out there and showed me the ropes. I've met a few other people out there too!

I look forward to meeting ya'll as well!

I just bought FRS radios. What "interference eliminator code" do you use, if any?

I also just bought a GPS unit, and marked the entrance I usually use to the lake. I get there from Ridgewood . . .

Joe'sCat

01-02-2002, 08:14 PM

Let me retract my ice report, since there are newer ones here!

I found some ice, and quite a bit of open water between Christmas, towards the end of Xmas week. I'm glad to hear it's freezing quite well!

I didn't want to scare anyone off with an older report.

treehunter2

01-02-2002, 08:24 PM

where is this stoney creek i have to be in detroit this sunday at metro airport and mite as well try some fishing on the trip coming from lasing where do i head to get to the lake thank guys will look forward to meeting you'll:D

Joe'sCat

01-02-2002, 08:56 PM

Well, Stoney Creek Metropark is quite a hike from Metro Airport, but here goes. . .

It's north-eastern Oakland County. Parts of Stoney are actually in Macomb County.

Starting farther out, one way is:

I-75 North to
Rochester Road, turn right (north).
About 7 miles to
Avon Road (23 mile road), turn right (east).
just past K-Mart/Burger King
About 2 miles, past John R. road, road curves left. Follow curve, stay on the same road (do not turn right onto "Dequindre" !)
Pass both Yates Cider Mill on your right, 23 mile road on your right (stay on the road still). You will have also crossed the Clinton River before Yates Cider Mill.

Up the hill, pass 24 mile road, and the Onyx skating center on your left.
Continue about 1 mile to 25 mile road, turn right (east).
About 1 mile, turn left at the next traffic light (I'm having memory lapse, that's Shelby road to the south, but is it still Shelby road at that intersection?). Anyway, there's a Chinese take out on your left corner (Orient Express) in a strip mall, and another strip mall on the far right (south-east corner).
Pass the party store you've heard people talking about, continue for about a mile or slightly less, up the hill, and curve to the right.
Start following signs to Stoney Creek Metro Park.

Once in the park, the "middle lake" can be accessed in the Ridgewood area - stay right at every chance, which will loop you around. You'll pass the disc golf course, Ridgewood is after that on your right. There are signs clearly showing each park section.
As you are entering Ridgewood, the middle lake is on your far left. Follow track in the snow near the back of the parking lot.

GPS coordinates of the exact spot I usually walk onto the lake at is:

N 42d 44' 19.1"
W 83d 04' 05.4"

Yeah, that doesn't mean much to me either so far! But, if you have a GPS unit and can key that in, should be fun to try and track it.

stelmon

01-02-2002, 09:05 PM

Thank joe, I will put those coordinate's in my new GPS

ice fishin' nut

01-02-2002, 09:18 PM

I'll be there!!!!!!!!!

ESOX

01-03-2002, 07:56 AM

I am going to try to make it sometime mid-late morning.

ice fishin' nut

01-03-2002, 08:30 AM

I'll be bringing my shanty, and will have room for someone,,,,

Also, i have a bait shop about 3 miles away, so if anyone needs bait, let me know and I'll pick it up.....

Young Steve

01-03-2002, 09:03 AM

Are you guys meeting at a specific site in the park or just on the ice?? I'd love to go on Sunday if the wife is feeling ok, She's due to have our second child in 3 weeks. I'm sure my ice time will probally be limited this year so I need to get out when I can.

ice fishin' nut

01-03-2002, 09:41 AM

We will be parking in the Ridgewood parking lot, and will be fishing the middle lake, in between 28 mile and the dam......

mickey

01-03-2002, 09:49 AM

How is the big lake? Anyone know?

WALLEYE MIKE

01-03-2002, 01:14 PM

Just got back from the big lake. 4" of ice where I fished, just off the fishing pier. Saw two guys out in the middle straight out from the boat launch. Caught a bunch of small perch (4-5"). We can use them for pike bait sunday. Saw alot of them on my camera along with 4 walleyes. What a surprise!!! I love my camera set up.

Young Steve

01-03-2002, 02:55 PM

Hey Walleye Mike,

Were you out there in a black shanty?? I drove through there just before noon and saw a shanty by the peir and the 2 guys out in the middle. I thought it was pushing it going out as far as they were with the current that heads towards the dam.

Ridgewood has two parking areas, Is it easier to access the lake from the first parking area or the second??

WALLEYE MIKE

01-03-2002, 03:05 PM

Yep that was me!!!

Joe'sCat

01-03-2002, 04:07 PM

Young Steve, the second I guess. I always pull in all the way to the back, left side side. I had a reserved spot back there Hahahaha. Then, as you face the lake, head kinda into the brush to your right, and you'll find a path headed down the hill to the lake.

There's a fallen tree this year blocking the path, not real big. Or, I found another path more to the right, past a picnic table and BBQ grill I might try, since I'll be dragging my stuff and may not feel like hoisting it over the tree (it's on skis, but is ackward to lift early in the morning) yadada whatever I'm rambling. . . Actually, sometimes I just hop on and ride it down hills :D

Young Steve

01-03-2002, 04:54 PM

Maybe Steve should come up with some Michigan-Sportsman Flags! He could have bike flags (on the long orange stick) so you can stick em' in the snow outside your shanty. And regular ones you can fly from your boat!! That would be one way people could identify and meet other members almost anywhere. Wadda ya think??:D

jnpcook

01-03-2002, 05:57 PM

I had forgot about that tree across the trail. I float tubed there all summer and it was there then. (That is the same trail that I usually use). Do any of you have a chain saw that we could cut it out of there? I don't know if we would have to check with the Park but that would make it easier getting down. I remember seeing another trail coming down that would have been in the first parking area. It ends at the lake and there were some large pieces of broken concrete in the lake so be careful if you use this trail. I think I will try this trail so I don't have to pick my shanty up over the log

John

jpollman

01-03-2002, 06:14 PM

Never thought of that John.
I wouldn't just go in there with a chainsaw and start hacking away. If someone wants to check with a ranger, maybe they could take care of it. If they don't want to deal with it but would give permission to, I could bring a chainsaw. I'll be going out there tomorrow or Sat. to check conditions. Maybe I'll stop at the office and check into it. It would be A LOT easier dragging gear down that trail if that darn tree were removed.

WALLEYE MIKE

01-03-2002, 06:22 PM

Pulled my shanty around it tuesday. I do have a chain saw if they let us do it.

jpollman

01-03-2002, 06:39 PM

Hi folks,

There's been some confusion as to where Stoney Creek metropark is and where we are meeting on Sunday.
We plan on fishing the middle lake (south of 28 mile rd).
Park at the Ridgewood picinic area. I usually park at the first area you come to. This will take you to the trail that leads down to the lake. Here is a map for those of you who are coming but are unfamiliar with the park.

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Budster/StonyCreek-map.jpg

Hope to see you all out there !

phoggcutter

01-03-2002, 06:43 PM

Hey John Cook is that the same area where we floated last summer? I got to get my battery charged for that place.
:cool: FOG

walleye magnet

01-03-2002, 06:55 PM

HEY YOUNG STEVE,
GLAD TO SEE YOU, ON THIS SITE. WE MEET A FEW TIMES ON THE LAKE. THE GUY WITH THE BAD LANTERN AND FRABIL SLED. DID YOU HAVE ANY MORE FLAGS, WEDNESDAY AFTER I LEFT? I MAY HEAD OUT TO ANCHOR BAY SATURDAY, IF NOT I'LL BE AT STONEY.
WALLEYE MAGNET

craig

01-03-2002, 07:27 PM

Im gonna try to make it sunday. I will be the one with a green homeade shanty. I think im gonna try metro on sat though.

Jackster1

01-03-2002, 07:51 PM

Hey Phoggs, maybe someone here knows if you can use a regular 12v car type battery charger for your camera.

jnpcook

01-04-2002, 12:20 AM

Yes, Ron (phoggcutter), that is the same lake we float tubed last summer. Hope to see you there.

John

jpollman

01-04-2002, 09:48 AM

Hi everybody.

I called the park this morning. I asked them if there was any chance that they could do something about that tree blocking the path down to the lake from the Ridgewood picinic area. She said "Sure, I'll leave a note for Maintenance to check into it". She took my number and said they'd call me if they needed anymore info. I'm sure they'll be able to find what I was talking about. I wouldn't hold my breath, but maybe the problem will be gone by Sunday.

ESOX

01-04-2002, 09:52 AM

Good job John, the Metropark Authority takes a dim view of people firing up a chainsaw in one of their parks!!!

ice fishin' nut

01-04-2002, 10:05 AM

Thanks John, I think I know the trail you are talking about, and no obsitcles would be terrific.....

vanwagm

01-04-2002, 11:37 AM

I have never fished Stoney before, what can I expect to catch? Are the 3 lakes the same as fishing goes, are are different fish targeted in each lake? I don't work too far away, and may try it after work one night.

jnpcook

01-04-2002, 12:33 PM

Vanwagm:

As far as the Middle Lake goes, I know there are bass, bluegill, crappie, pike, and carp in there. I haven't really given this lake much chance for ice fishing and when I have tried it I only caught very small bluegill. I did catch some nice bass in there this past summer while float tubing but the season is closed right now (I believe).

If the ice is thick enough, for the evening bite I would try the main lake off the eastwood beach area or off the boat launch. I caught a very nice crappie there last winter and saw others catching quite a few nice fish as well. There are pike, perch, bluegill, channel cats, bass, and walleye in the main lake. I have only caught small perch and crappie through the ice there.

The lake above 28 mile road is a nature preserve and there is some debate whether it is legal to fish there or not. (Search through some of the old posts here) I don't know how the park rangers would view ice fishing north of 28 mile. As I understand it it is ok to fish as long as you floated in (during summer) and did not access it from the shore. I don't know if you could walk under the 28 mile bridge from the middle lake and legally access it that way. Supposed to be bass and pike as well as the normal panfish that are in most lakes.

Hope this helps a little.

John

vanwagm

01-04-2002, 12:52 PM

Good info jpncook, that helps a lot. Hopefully I'll hook into a crappie or two. I report how I do.

wildboar6768

01-04-2002, 02:02 PM

Is the gas station at 25 and van dyke still selling minnows?

Young Steve

01-04-2002, 02:27 PM

Is there any reason in particular that everyone's going to the middle lake instead of the main lake?? I fished the main lake last year and caught a couple of decent pike and some very nice crappie. I have not fished the middle lake and am very open to it, just curious if the middle lake offers good size game fish like the main lake does.

jpollman

01-04-2002, 03:05 PM

I too prefer the main lake at Stoney. But at this point, I think it's more of an ice safety issue. I'm pretty sure that the middle lake probably has better ice conditions at this time. There are pike and some nice bass in that lake too (although the bass is closed now). I've been trying to get out the for the last couple of days but haven't been able too. I might try to get out on the main lake tomorrow and check conditions. If they are favorable, I might just fish the main lake instead. It has easier access anyway:D

WALLEYE MIKE

01-04-2002, 03:33 PM

John, I can save you a trip. If you read my post yesterday, I was fishing out in the main lake. I fished the bay by the fishing pier----4 inches of ice. There were two guys out in the middle straight out from the boat launch. I'm sure it is safe enough. Actually there is the same amt. as the middle lake. I was fish that lake tuesday. But where ever you guys want to meet is fine with me.

Joe'sCat

01-04-2002, 04:53 PM

I'm hoping to get out Saturday, after my wife get home, as well as Sunday. John, you mentions channel 7 on the FRS radio. If you make it out Saturday, and Sunday too, I'll set mine to channel 7. But, what "interference code" ? My radio can scan any/all channels, but it takes time to pick up a signal that way. I think it is basically no interference code when set to code 0.

I'll have my radio on channel 7, 0 when I'm out. I marked some spots on my GSP I wanted to try on the middle lake, and probably won't want to wait until Sunday!
Maybe I'll cruise over the main lake. I've only fished it a couple of times, and wouldn't mind some pointers, if you're willing. This is only my 2nd year, so there's plenty to learn.

If you're on the radio, maybe we can trade notes Saturday or Sunday. I'm close by, in Rochester Hills too anyway, so why not make the short drive and FISH ON!

jnpcook

01-04-2002, 05:31 PM

Joes Cat:

Yes you should set your radio on channel 7 interference code 0. (As you said basically no interference code). If anyone has a radio without interference codes then they will still be able to communicate with us otherwise I believe they could not.

I also am willing to try to main lake if everyone wants to do that. I have had better luck on the main lake.

John

phoggcutter

01-04-2002, 05:45 PM

John what vehical will you be driving ?Iwill be in my Black, salt covered 4X4 Ranger.
:cool: FOG

jnpcook

01-04-2002, 06:02 PM

Ron:

I will be in an old beat up black ford ranger (borrowing my brother in laws vehicle as i still need to get my trans fixed on my van)

John

WALLEYE MIKE

01-05-2002, 08:51 AM

OK guys, which lake are we fishing? If we fish the middle lake our catch will consist of mainly small gills and maybe some pike and a crappie or two. Fish the main lake by the boat launch we could get some perch, crappie, maybe a walleye,a pike or two. What ever you guys decide if fine with me. And of course friendship and conversation on both lakes.

ice fishin' nut

01-05-2002, 08:56 AM

It doesnt matter to me, I have always fished the middle lake and have done real well, but whatever you guys want to do is fine by me!!!!!

jnpcook

01-05-2002, 09:25 AM

Will any of you guys have a vexilar or other flasher out there tomorrow? I have never seen one in use before and was wondering if anyone could demo one for me so I can see how they work?

John

phoggcutter

01-05-2002, 09:26 AM

Has anyone done anything out there this week?
:cool: FOG

ice fishin' nut

01-05-2002, 11:08 AM

I'll be bringing my fishfinder, but dont have a flasher.....

phoggcutter

01-05-2002, 11:12 AM

I'm bringing my underwater viewing system,I'd like to check out a flasher also!
:cool: FOG

WALLEYE MIKE

01-05-2002, 11:42 AM

Am bringing my camera will compare with Phogs.

Phog, I fished the middle lake twice this week and the main lake once.

phoggcutter

01-05-2002, 12:53 PM

How was he water clarity?Do anything worth talking about? See ya out there tomorrow,Black Ranger,Brown Carharts on the ice.I have a 14 ch frs channel 7.
:cool: FOG

craig

01-05-2002, 04:21 PM

fished the middle lkae today, just caught some small blue gills. I dont think i will be coming tomarrow, i have another spot im gonna try. Ialso fished metro today off of the beach but had no success there. Looked like a city on ice with all of the people and shanties, the ice i was on was at leat 7" very safe in my opinion. I saw people with quads out as well.

stelmon

01-05-2002, 04:32 PM

Well, I was extrememly looking forward to this trip but once again I will not be able to attend. Was hoping to have th ole s-10 fixed by now but it is still down adn I can't work on it anymore. Hope you all have a great time and lookin forward to a ton of pics.

jpollman

01-05-2002, 05:39 PM

I'll meet you guys at about 8:00 at the Ridgewood parking area.
I am leaning toward fishing the main lake out from Eastwood though. I haven't fished the middle lake much. But all I've ever seen pulled out of there are little gills. I really want to tie into some of those SLAB CRAPPIE that I know reside in the main lake.
I'll see you guys in the morning.

WALLEYE MIKE

01-05-2002, 06:15 PM

Just got back from the middle lake. Tons a small hungry gills. 2-5"
Had the camera on and they looked like phirahs. Put on a rubber grub and they liked that as much as the real thing.

John Pollman, I would suggest the main lake also, I might not be there right at 8 but soon after.

Any further changes please post, will check in the morning before I leave.

jpollman

01-05-2002, 06:55 PM

I wasn't going to, but I think I'll bring my camera.
I'm going to take it out of that ridicuolously huge box I made for it and just put it back in the boat bag.:)
I want to give it a good workout and see just what it can do. I'm still planning on getting a flasher sometime this year though. I think we should meet and discuss where we're gonna fish. I think the main lake would be a better idea folks.
Well, I'll see you guys in the morning.

ice fishin' nut

01-05-2002, 06:59 PM

I dont care which lake we fish, I'll be there!!!!

Joe'sCat

01-05-2002, 08:17 PM

I fished the main lake, from about 8:30 to 2pm.
Talked to a few guys, all was slow. No one had any crappies at all, not one. One guy got one decent walleye. We all saw lots of very small perch.

I was pretty much straight out from the boat launch. .17 miles on my GPS from the boat launches themselves, I meandered that entire area, peppered it with lots of holes. Had to try out my new auger you know.

Got exactly two 4" perch. One of them brought me a 28" pike dinner on a tip-up. Oh man. For perspective, this is only my second season ice fishing, and last season was only about the last half. So, that was a fun and exciting way to start the day. I had already tossed the other perch back. Tried everything to catch another one, no go. Waxworm, Genz worms, teardrops, pink salmon eggs, a little panfish lure with a propeller on it, minnow, I even tried night crawlers. Couple of nibbles.

About 3" inch everywhere I went, 12-14' of water. Visible pressure cracks, but I did not hear new cracking the way I have at Stoney before. The ice does sag very slightly when you walk up to a hole with my 200lbs & all the clothes. Guys closer to the dam I talked to were in about 17' of water, and my estimate may be off somewhat, I'm not a good judge of water depth.

It felt REAL GOOD being out again, man I actually miss the cold! I'm tiiiired, didn't sleep hardly a wink I was SO geeked about going this weekend.

So for me, I'd like to take a stab at the middle lake tomorrow. One guy I talked to who seemed to know the lake pretty well said there were nice pike in the middle lake too, which I don't doubt. But, we all also know it's a busy day with the blue gills. Which besides the pike, I would have preferred that action, as opposed to three fish in about five hours. But, I'll swing either way. I'd really like to meet you chaps, share some tips and insight (read I'd like to learn more from you seasoned folks) and it'd almost be like a fishing expo with everyone's equipment to demo.

BTW, I had my FRS on ch 7 the whole time. Picked up some guy talking briefly early, then two kids sounded like there were talking at home, finally heard a guys voice in the afternoon, he never responded when I hailed back. I will have it on tomorrow too.

I'll be at Ridgewood around 8:00 - dark grey Durango, FRS ch 7. Hard to miss on the ice too - black "trunk on skis", camo head to toe if my coat is on.

Fish . . . . . . ON
-Joe

WALLEYE MIKE

01-05-2002, 10:27 PM

Might have to take a rain check for tomorrow. Might have to plow snow if it continues. Will know about 6 am.

Young Steve

01-05-2002, 11:35 PM

Well good luck fella's! I was all set to go but accepted a last minute invite out to saginaw bay near Sebawing. I've never fished out there so I need to find out where the locals go. I'll post a report on Monday.

Fish on!!!!

jnpcook

01-06-2002, 01:06 AM

I'll be there tomorrow (actually I guess later today). Hopefully at 8am. I will stop at ridgewood first and wait for others. If I am late (getting to bed kind of late) I will call out on my FRS radio to lacate you guys. See ya in the morning.

JOhn

rangerrick

01-06-2002, 07:10 AM

The first outing and I'm gonna miss it! Haven't made it out yet but this week for sure! Can't wait to start hearing all the lies!!Good luck guys!!

jnpcook

01-06-2002, 04:03 PM

It was nice meeting all the new faces and seeing old friends as well. (Ice Fishing Nut, Joes Cat, Jpollman, Jackster1, Phoggcutter, and Walleye Mike).

We started out fishing the middle lake straight out from Ridgewood Picnic Area. All we managed there were small 4-5" bluegill. The ice was about 4" and solid clear ice with about 1-2" of snow. We decided to make a strategic move and try the main lake straight out from the Eastwood Beach parking lot. We tried first in about 14 feet of water and then found a hump at around 10 feet that we tried as well. The wind started picking up a little in the afternoon. We managed some dink perch about 4 or 5" as well. The ice was quite a bit thicker on the main lake and solid as well. About 5-7" estimatated ice thickness. We then moved into about 6-10 feet of water and still nothing to talk about. We must have punched 50-100 holes through the ice between the 6 of us.

It was a nice day to be out even if the fishing was slow. Ice Fishing Nut, Phoggcutter, and Jpollman thanks for letting me use your bait. Joes Cat, thanks for drilling all those holes with your new power auger. It looked like you had more fun drilling holes than fishing :) Jacster1 it was a pleasure to see you again before you head south. Walley Mike, thanks for hiking out and meeting us all even though you couldn't fish with us. Thanks for the info and I hope to get to fish with you this winter.

Until next time,

John

WALLEYE MIKE

01-06-2002, 04:56 PM

Yeah I wish I could have fished with all of you but when the snow flies its time for me to go to work. Glad to meet all of you tho. You all seem like a nice bunch of sportsman. Didn't expect otherwise.
Lets try it again when no snow is predited.

fasteight

01-06-2002, 05:12 PM

bummer i could make it today, wish i could have met some new people and learned a thing or 2, well, at least how to stretch stories.....lol, just kiddin.... anyways, lookin to head out to stoney maybe tomorrow evenin to try for some perch and crappie, usually do quite well..... if i go it will be in the afternoon and prolly park at the boat launch and go out from there, dont usually go out very far, 100-150 yards maybe, have done really well in a couple spots there and hope to again this year.... does anyone use the underwater camera's and if so how do they work as far as pic goes?? hope to fish soon.... thanks

WALLEYE MIKE

01-06-2002, 06:01 PM

Fasteight, I have used my underwater camera a few times this year so far. I am very, very satisfied in the quality of the picture. Saw 4 walleye last wednsday at stoney. Yesterday at stoney fishing for gills, saw a bunch of them and how they react to bait and noise of a ice drill. Very entertaining and educational. I might be able to be talked into going tuesday morning if you you want to go.

fasteight

01-06-2002, 08:11 PM

hey, i might be able to go tuesday mornin if i dont have to work... i can post back tomorrow night and see for sure.... kinda wanna see how a camera works like that before i run out and buy one... hopefully tuesday we can catch some fish.... still wonderin if there is a bait store close to stoney with minnows and that... 25 and mound?? thanks

WALLEYE MIKE

01-06-2002, 08:17 PM

Yes, there is a wine shop with bait there. Waxworms, minnows and pike bait.

Lunker

01-06-2002, 08:31 PM

walleye Mike what kind of camera do you have which one do you recomend ? How much would it be to build one?

phoggcutter

01-06-2002, 09:28 PM

Had a Great time out on the ice with you guy's today,lots of laughs and good humor! It's kind of neat putting the faces to the names great bunch of guys.Walleye Mike I'm glad you kept Jackster occupied long enough for us to get some fishing in:p .
I knew you two were talking too much ,when Jackster went back to check his line he still had his depth finder on it!(after what about an hour) Hope to see more of you guy's out there next time.Ice fishing nut and Joes Cat next time I might have to run to the party store the night before,to load up on a case or so!:) Jnpcook it's always good to see you! Budster if you get anymore equiptment you are gonna need a bigger truck! :eek: See y'all next time!

:cool: FOG

Jackster1

01-06-2002, 09:46 PM

I can't think of a better group of guys to spend the day with. I'm just glad our wives weren't waiting for us to bring home a fresh fish dinner. I think if we put all the fish we caught in a Bass-O-Matic blender we'd only end up with a few sips each. Makes me wonder if those Indians didn't strain those Stony Creek lakes already ;)
Good time, guys. We'll nail 'em next time!

jpollman

01-06-2002, 10:32 PM

I hear ya Fog !!:D

I'm cutting WAAAAY Back on the amount of C R A P I drag out onto the ice with me. I think I'm going to go look at one of those Jet-Sleds. I like that roll up rod "bag" that Icenut had. I didn't look too close. I noticed it and meant to go over and check it out closely but I had to get back to drilling holes and by the time I was done I forgot. :D We'll have to put together another outing out there. Maybe we can get a few more out there next time.
Actually, from my experience on that lake the "night bite" or at least leading up to dark and about an hour afterward is the best.
Maybe it could be an after work get together.
It was great to put a couple more faces with the names.
I'll say it again folks. WE HAD A GREAT TIME !!!! Come on out and join us sometime. Well, it's about bedtime. Night all. Time for "fishy dreams":o

Joe'sCat

01-07-2002, 11:59 AM

Yes, the day was very pleasant indeed! I echo all the sentiments already expressed here - what a great sport, and a great time. It's fantastic for a bunch of "strangers" to get together to share a common pasttime, even if it didn't including actually catching fish! :D

And yes John, I had a smashing good time punching holes in the ice. Sorry about that everyone, the ice report has changed a bit for Stoney's main lake now - there's no ice left, I drilled it all up!
But in my defense, I have two reasons: when times are slow, I've heard it's best to keep moving - I figured while the engine was warm, I'd have every direction covered already. Second, I got a brand new auger for Xmas - had to break it in, work out the kinks, all that stuff you know.

-------------------------

We definitely have to do that again - it looks like Metro next Sunday is the ticket? We'll have to keep that thread going alive. Do we want to center that one in the Outings forum?

_____________
Fish . . . . . . . . . . ON
-Joe