01-05-2014, 04:03 AM
Jan 4, 2014
Arrived Yuba Reservoir 10:30AM. Blue skies 28 degrees. Ice 9 to 11' thick. 1" snow on ice.
Hand in Hand Outdoors hosted an American Heroes Ice Kickin' event near the dam. Participants were disabled and combat veterans from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Marines, Navy and Air Force were represented.
Fishing was relatively slow with 7 northerns through the ice. All were small, ranging from 18 to 25" Two fish were kept for the grill. All others were released in the hopes they will grow and propagate. The majority of fish were caught on dead sticked chub minnows on the bottom in 25 to 30' of water. Two fish were lost because of no steel leader and several others were lost due to striking before the pike had turned the bait in their mouths.
As always, when we gather, it was a very special occasion and an absolute delight to be surrounded by these valiant warriors who have given so much for our country and it also gave us a chance to check out the equipment in preparation to a trip to Strawberry on the 18th. It has been 3 decades since I have fished the ice but it was a great trip and thoroughly enjoyed by myself and the others.
We are now all looking forward to Strawberry where in addition to our veterans there will be several disabled kids also present. I had some concern the Paraplegic and quadriplegic kids might not to be able to tolerate the bitter cold, but the tents with heaters proved comfortable and more than adequate for their needs. Everyone should have a great time while enjoying the great outdoors. Steve [url "http://handinhandoutdoors.org"]http://handinhandoutdoors.org[/url]
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Arrived Yuba Reservoir 10:30AM. Blue skies 28 degrees. Ice 9 to 11' thick. 1" snow on ice.
Hand in Hand Outdoors hosted an American Heroes Ice Kickin' event near the dam. Participants were disabled and combat veterans from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Marines, Navy and Air Force were represented.
Fishing was relatively slow with 7 northerns through the ice. All were small, ranging from 18 to 25" Two fish were kept for the grill. All others were released in the hopes they will grow and propagate. The majority of fish were caught on dead sticked chub minnows on the bottom in 25 to 30' of water. Two fish were lost because of no steel leader and several others were lost due to striking before the pike had turned the bait in their mouths.
As always, when we gather, it was a very special occasion and an absolute delight to be surrounded by these valiant warriors who have given so much for our country and it also gave us a chance to check out the equipment in preparation to a trip to Strawberry on the 18th. It has been 3 decades since I have fished the ice but it was a great trip and thoroughly enjoyed by myself and the others.
We are now all looking forward to Strawberry where in addition to our veterans there will be several disabled kids also present. I had some concern the Paraplegic and quadriplegic kids might not to be able to tolerate the bitter cold, but the tents with heaters proved comfortable and more than adequate for their needs. Everyone should have a great time while enjoying the great outdoors. Steve [url "http://handinhandoutdoors.org"]http://handinhandoutdoors.org[/url]
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