Fair Haven Saturday 3-29-08

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

Three friends & myself fished behind Bud's in Fair Haven on Saturday. Beautiful sunny day, lite winds with a high pressure system overhead. :sad: This usually makes for a very slow day of fishing, as was Saturday. :sad: :sad:

We had our best luck in close. The water was slightly murky, you could see 3-4' down in 4-5' of water. We fish most of the day, only taking home about 15-20 fish each & threw back about twice that. Minnows worked best for us with only a couple of fish caught on spoons with beads.

It was a very slow day of fishing but I still enjoyed getting out with some fishing friends on a beautiful day. I recieved a wicked sun burn :cool: & going back in I took a little dip. The last 3-4 steps at shore were breaking up & I found them to be quite cool, to say the least (knee deep)! :yikes:

From this point on you will need waiters to get on & off the ice. One more week at best for the ice in this area. Ice thickness was from 9-10" in close to about 12" anywhere else but getting soft on the top half or so. I am far to heavy & old to go out anymore this year. :( Photo of my catch in gallery. See you next year.... be safe.

[D and L]

From this point on you will need waiters to get on & off the ice. One more week at best for the ice in this area. Ice thickness was from 9-10" in close to about 12" anywhere else but getting soft on the top half or so. I am far to heavy & old to go out anymore this year. :( Photo of my catch in gallery. See you next year.... be safe.

Hey St. Clair Ice Fisher: I just wanted to say thanks for your recent posts the last week or so regarding your experiences in Fairhaven! We have enjoyed reading them. I kinda wondered when you were going to hang it up for the year.... :) I'm happy to have NOT read a post from you about taking a big swim :yikes: ;)
Best regards and congrats to you on a great ice fishing season and thanks again.....
Laura

[lakeerierobalo]

I am having a hard time getting out on the ice late season because I went through a couple of years ago.

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

I am having a hard time getting out on the ice late season because I went through a couple of years ago.

lakeerierobalo asked.... is the ice safe? After seeing the weather for the next few days I'd have to say....
NO Definitely Not! If you can get on the ice somewhere (you'll need waders) you should stay in shallow water (2-3') & near shore incase you do fall in. I'll bet there will still be a few up in Fair Haven getting out for a couple more days but I'd wait till next year. It's not worth getting wet for a few fish!

Laura, (D & L) I'd like to thank you for your nice comments you've made about my recent posts as well as other people's posts. I've enjoyed your posts as well. You're very thoughtful & I think we can all see your love for the outdoors. Maybe I'll see you & Dan out there next year, it's always nice to meet other ice fishers!

Thanks again & see you next year. :fish:

[Joeker51]

Was still 6 - 8 "s of decent ice at the Sandbar as of yestrday noon. Not sure how this weather is going to affect it. Thanks St. Clair.;) The fat lady sang for me yesterday. Time to look ahead for casting for walleye's or fishing the wall in PH.

[stinger63]

Time to look ahead for casting for walleye's or fishing the wall in PH.

UH Oh theres gos the neighborhood:lol:

[Joeker51]

UH Oh theres gos the neighborhood:lol:

Well, I know you can't run.......... and you sure can't hide. Guess you'll just have to keep looking over your shoulder Aaron.:evil:

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

Thanks St. Clair.;) The fat lady sang for me yesterday. Time to look ahead for casting for walleye's or fishing the wall in PH.
I hear you Joeker51.... I want to keep going but that water is much to cold! :yikes: Hope to see you out there next year. Good luck to you & to everyone........ until then. :coolgleam

[Joeker51]

Man, I'm having a tough time fighting the urge to go one more time ! Thought about it on the way home from work. Rods are still in the truck......... withdrawl is tough !:nono:

[Paul Thompson]

I was there also Saturday with a friend, I think we were the first ones to leave in the morning, only sat an hour, saw no action, or very little from the other souls setting and pulling up a dinky one now and then. As nice as the day was, I wanted to stay longer, but had a bigger list at home to take care of. The ice was good, a tad shaky at the launch, but by now it must be on it's way out.

[Michael Wagner]

Man, I'm having a tough time fighting the urge to go one more time ! Thought about it on the way home from work. Rods are still in the truck......... withdrawl is tough !:nono:

Put down the rod, turn and walk away!!!:lol: But then again there is allways Grayling, leave here at 5:00am leave there at 7:00pm home by 9:30, with your perch-expertise I`m sure we could pull a few good ones out:evil::evil::evil: Mike

[Michael Wagner]

I`ll thow in venison tenderloin sandwiches for lunch:evilsmile:evilsmile:evilsmile Mike

[D and L]

Man, I'm having a tough time fighting the urge to go one more time ! Thought about it on the way home from work. Rods are still in the truck......... withdrawl is tough !:nono:

Oh man Joeker, you too huh? :lol: It's just sooo hard to give up the ice fishing isn't it?

Not only are the rods and buckets still in our truck, but by golly, we still have the dang shanty in there too :lol: Got a pocket full of waxies too :SHOCKED: They dumped out of the pack last week in my ice fishing suit but I figured "heck leave em' they may just come in handy ....." :lol: I'm think'n SIMCO !!!!!
Best regards to a great ice season on Lake St. Clair..... and great yakking and sharing stories with a bunch of great people !!!! See ya at Simco, or on the Big D (any day now) :D
Laura

[Joeker51]

Paul, fished the SandBar Saturday instead of Fair Haven. Didn't want to lug the power auger down the rocks. The Sandbar had a nice ramp set up down to the ice off the sea wall.......... class act on their part.;) Didn't get there until later in the morning and caught the last half of the bite. From there it was slow but the large fish were in there. Tried it again Sunday but ... nada. Wind howling outta the east just didn't get it. Threw in the towel, couldn't stand the tears from the fat lady singing and was home by noon. Stopped and watched the guys behind Bud's for awhile.


Mr. Market, in my younger days I'da took you up on that but will pass. Just send the venison sandwiches though.:evil: Get your casting rod and jigs together........ there be eye's to catch soon.:D

D and L .......... still a decent season no matter how you slice it.:fish::D Guess it's time to move on to other things.;) Hope to meet you one of these days. Thanks for all the posts.:)


Mike...........what happened to that ficious fella.:16suspect Haven't see the pirate post lately.:16suspect

[Michael Wagner]

Mike...........what happened to that ficious fella.:16suspect Haven't see the pirate post lately.:16suspect
__________________
Talked to Mr. Ficious last wk. to see if he was going to make it out:fish: he wanted too reports of "BIG" gills had him thinking:dizzy: but he is painting jigs for us:lol: and working alot the "Ford" is haveing locomotion problems.:sad: Mike

[Joeker51]

Shoulda bought a Dodge.:hide::whistle:

[Michael Wagner]

Or a Chevy:coolgleam:coolgleam:coolgleam

[ficious]

Oh. I'm still here. Just been busy making next seasons stock. No going to get caught short like this season. Dreaming up some new patterns to try out this weekend, just not sure where to try yet. Still holding out for some "safe" ice in a canal somewhere. Maybe I can get "the market" to come along, that way I'll have some fish for sure(probably already filleted). I'll pack the long rods just in case.

Harry

[Joeker51]

Long rods................ it's Catficious time !:evil::lol:

[Michael Wagner]

Oh. I'm still here. Just been busy making next seasons stock. No going to get caught short like this season. Dreaming up some new patterns to try out this weekend, just not sure where to try yet. Still holding out for some "safe" ice in a canal somewhere. Maybe I can get "the market" to come along, that way I'll have some fish for sure(probably already filleted). I'll pack the long rods just in case.

Harry
Sure now ya wanna go fishing :confused: "mrs. market" and I just got back from the Home Depot with paint for the living room, hall way and bathroom :mad: guess what I`m doing this wk. end???? Hmmmmmmm...I cant complain I have been fishing somewhere for the last 4 or 5 wk.ends and during some of the wks.:evil::evil::evil: If your going to need the "wet suit" let me know I can meet you somewhere down there before Fri. Mike

[wolverine301]

Man, I just checked Google Maps for a location on Coloumbiaville....you guys sure do drive a long way to get to the lake...

[Michael Wagner]

Man, I just checked Google Maps for a location on Coloumbiaville....you guys sure do drive a long way to get to the lake...

But the big thing is do I have a great time??? "ABSOLUTELY" :D:D:D I also drive 2 1/2 hrs. to Grayling to catch a few perch. When I was in my teens my buddy`s dad worked all day then drove half the night to fly fish the Ausable, anyone in the neighborhood could go just be ready to fish, he used to say "you can sleep anytime but only fish so often" made sense to me so for 30 yrs. I dreamed about fishing and hunting like this and now I`m retired I`m not going to waste any thought on the drive or gas prices when I can go fishing:evilsmile:evilsmile:evilsmile and the company I fish with aint bad either, Mike

[Joeker51]

Yup, use to do the same thing. When the kids were younger we'd do a road trip to Manistee for perch. Be home the same night. Or run to Fletchers after work and be back the next day. Kids still talk about it to this day. A weekend of bow hunting in Iron Mountain with my brother wasn't out of the question either. Friday night gone........... back late Sunday night.:D

[wolverine301]

I guess you're right...I will likely be making a trip up to the NLP this Saturday morning and be back on Sunday in time for a 10:00 a.m. baptism.

Ahhh retirement...only about 30 years to go...

[Michael Wagner]

Ahhhhh retirement, I "HIGHLY" recomend it :evilsmile:evilsmile:evilsmile

[ficious]

Well, ifn I can't drag ya wit me, I'm a gonna need that "wet suit". Probably look for some ice somewhere, if that's not possible, then long rod it somewhere(T.I.?). Some fat gillies there after iceout. Been pickin garden worms for just such an occasion. Gotta make me some kinda dock, or maybe bring some waders to get through those weeds. Yeah, I know.....watch that first step!

Harry

[Joeker51]

Yeah, I know.....watch that first step!

:lol::lol: Walkin da plank again, eh.:evil: Might consider a small skid Harry. Seems to me there was a couple there.:16suspect

[Michael Wagner]

Dont count me out yet,I think painting is highly over-rated anyway:evilsmile Lets see life jacket,plank,rope,raft,trolling motor,battery,lighters,short rods,long rods,auger,spud,hernia truss,ahh I`ll get back with ya, Mike

[ficious]

Joe,

I'm thinking more like a couple of planks on a plastic barrel or two. Mike "the market", you forgot the waders. Not just long rods, the longest rods.

Harry

[Joeker51]

Dont count me out yet,I think painting is highly over-rated anyway:evilsmile Lets see life jacket,plank,rope,raft,trolling motor,battery,lighters,short rods,long rods,auger,spud,hernia truss,ahh I`ll get back with ya, Mike

Ya forgot the lantern......................:D

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

Every year it seems to get a little tougher, putting the ice fishing equipment up for the year. When running errands on Tuesday (April 1st) I still saw Ice on the lakes & ponds where I live in LakeOrion. Right away I start wondering if there's any ice left on St Clair, then thinking it's not safe if there is. :mad:

So here's my plan.... this weekend I will take the covers off the 3 shanties, wash them, their tubs (sleds), 3 minnow buckets, 6 perch buckets, 6 ice scoops, 3 heaters, 12 ice rods & 6-8 foot long paint sticks marked up; showing inches to measure fish. I figure this will help me realize that it's over!

If there are any of you out there still suffering from withdrawal as I am, feel free to come & join me. If this doesn't work I'll go to plan B..... "Replacement theory". I'll start fishing the long rods for perch & maybe even some sucker fishing. Who am I kidding? Nothing will ever replace ice fishing on beautiful Lake St Clair.

Boy, do I have it bad. Until next year.... lets all pray for an extra long ice fishing season. :fish:

[Joeker51]

:lol::lol: You not alone my young friend ! Long rods are already out with anticipation of this weekend.;) Now if i can just weasel through a few issues it could be a ficious weekend.:D

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

:lol::lol: You not alone my young friend ! Long rods are already out with anticipation of this weekend.;) Now if i can just weasel through a few issues it could be a ficious weekend.:D

Hey Joeker51,
I'm affaid my younger days have gone by. I'll be 54 on the 15th but thanks for the "young friend" thought. :lol:

[Joeker51]

Ah, your still a young fella. I got ya beat by a year even though my body tells me alot different..:lol:

[ficious]

St. Clair,

I know how you feel, I had hoped to get on the ice this weekend, but too many people were thinking warm thoughts. Had a good winter, just not long enough. To make matters worse, I'll be making jigs most of the summer, so I won't be able to get it off my mind. It's hell to make a new pattern/design and not be able to try it out.

Going to chase some gills from shore on the island til I can get the salmon boat out of the barn. Ground is still way too soft.

Harry

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

What the heck, I started the process of washing & putting it all up today.
This way I can go fishing on the weekend. ;)

Joeker I'll bet my body is in worse shape than yours. :lol: Like to meet you sometime.... I've met Harry (ficious) at his workplace twice, bought some of those nice jigs the last two ice fishing seasons. Maybe we could meet Harry & go for those Gills on the island before he does the salmon thing.

Harry I realize I'm inviting myself but if you're looking for company to the island.... just give me a couple days notice. Ninety percent of the time I'll be able to make! Just say the word & try to get Joeker out there too.

Dave

[Joeker51]

Okay Dave, where do you want to start comparing.:16suspect::lol:

Harry................. salmon.:lol::lol: Better off hunting unicorn's. Wait........ I know it's just an excuse for him to catch catficious in 84 ft of water, 56 ft down.:hide:
Ahhhhhhhhhhh ............. yes ....... the island.:D We'll get together yet. ;)

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

Too funny :lol: hope to compare with you soon Joeker, while there's still something left. :lol: Waiting to hear from Harry, love to get out there with you guys. Should be a good time, even though Harry seems to be in pretty good shape. Half my stuff has fallen off or threatening too but I still get around! :lol: Back to washing.

[ficious]

St Clair Ice Fisher,

You are more than welcome to come along. I will be bringing waders too just in case. I'm still working on the idea of a small floating platform to push through the weeds to get better access to the water. I would suggest long rods for the same reason.

Worms and waxies on jigs for gills, minnows on same for crappies/pike. Not that I'm trying for pike, they just don't seem to know that. Lots of hammer handles and an occasional nice one, all C&R anyway.

Joeker,

We might get a few salmon before they all make it back to Lake Michigan. Then we'll be back to trolling for grease and walleye with salmon gear........but then there are those whities we didn't get to last season, hmmmmm.

Harry

PS.......Now that we are all in denial, it's probably better to take this to the warm water forum:yikes: Notice the tag line under my screen name.

[Joeker51]

PS.......Now that we are all in denial, it's probably better to take this to the warm water forum:yikes:

:16suspect:16suspect Huh ! :16suspect:16suspect

[ficious]

Don't worry Joe, you know I will post here all summer, but who will notice? Once I start painting, I'll throw some pics up for comments. Probably even lament the lack of ice, you know, count the days til ice kind of stuff.

I wasn't even aware of whose thread we hijacked, sorry SCIF.

Harry

[Michael Wagner]

Man you guys are making this hard:sad: if I end up divorced can I park my camper at one of your houses?:yikes: Mike

[Joeker51]

Hmmmmmmmm......... lemme think about that.:idea: 2000 sq. ft addition ........ partially finished.......... looooottttttsssssssa work to be done............. limited fishing time on the horizon..........hmmm.:16suspect:evil:

Ohhh Mr. Market...:lol:



Hijacked............. guess we owe him something............... gotta think about this.

[Michael Wagner]

2,000 sq. ft.????:yikes: it`s a popup camper,bed, table and a 5" black and white t.v. no bath so I`ll have to have a spot for the port-a-jon:lol::lol: I keep telling myself "work now fish later":sad:

[Joeker51]

Well, maybe 1700 sq. ft. ........... park it in the built in garage.;) Heard you're getting a lot of practice painting walls and stairways............ will keep that in mind also.:evil:

[tinmarine]

Man you guys are making this hard:sad: if I end up divorced can I park my camper at one of your houses?:yikes: Mike

Just make sure you park it in between the lines pal. Don't want any tickets.:cheeky-sm

[Joeker51]

:lol::lol::lol:

[Michael Wagner]

My good friend Jim, I`ll have Joe guide me back into the driveway, errrrrrrrrrrrrrr maybe not:lol::lol::lol: By the end of this wk. end I`ll be able to paint the whiskers on a gnat.:evil:

[Joeker51]

By the end of this wk. end I`ll be able to paint the whiskers on a gnat.:evil:

Ahhhhh........ working on a new jig with ficious,eh.:16suspect :D

[St Clair Ice Fisher]

Harry,
Looking forward to fishing the island. When were you planning on going? I'll need particulars, where & when to meet ect. How deep of water will you be fishing in? Trying to get an idea on what tackle/lures to bring along.

[Joeker51]

Edges are gonna be mushy.......... be prepared and walk gently. Don't forget the slip bobbers St. Clair. Harry, you're probably right. Should move this over to Warm Water Forum. I see a thread started this morning by another member.

[ficious]

Already there.

Harry