We got a late start for our fishing trip this morning but we did finally make it.  We hit Hyrum for the second time since ice on and we expected to catch fish just like we did on New Years Eve…however, the fish gods had a different idea.

We set up camp in the exact spot we fished the other day and it just wasn’t as hot a fishing hole as it had been.  Still fun though.

Let me tell you this, when the outside temp is around 5 below zero, a tent is really a warm thing to have.  It has to be a full 20 degrees warmer inside the tent than it is outside, and I’m talking about right after it is set up.  Remarkable.  Then add a small propane heater and you can take your coat off!  I thank Sherry for giving “us” that tent and heater last year (2011) for Christmas!  It has made a whole lot of difference in how long the kids can stand to be out fishing.

So, as for the report, 8 of us only caught 5 fish all day!  Terrible.  And we didn’t miss too many either.  The go to bait today was terminal tackle in a reddish color and wax worms as the ultimate enticer.

Most of the fish were on the small size.  Like this little bass that Sydnie iced.

Size does not matter when a kid is catching something!  It meant a penny to her from each of the other fishing kids!  One happy girl there!  Good job Syd.

And so the day went on and everyone had at least a bite or two but in the end the real fish catchers were Syd and Conner.  Conner had on a very large fish that was trying its best to pull him into the ice hole, but before we even saw what kind of fish it was it spit the hook and was gone.  Too bad Conner, I think it had a big fish contest tag stuck on it.  That’s fishin!

From this spot we moved to join another friend just up the bank.  He had us talked into a bucket load of fish, as he and his friends were nailing them big time.  Sure Parker…just as we got there the fish moved over to where we left.

Just look at that grin!  Has he pulled us in or what?  It’s funny the picture isn’t blurry as I was wriggling all over the ice.

It was nice to run into a couple of friends like Parker and Shipley and re-acquaint ourselves with the cool part of fishing…camaraderie.

We left the ice in plenty of time to do something else at home before it got dark, but as we drove over the summit of Sardine Canyon we looked to our left and there was a couple struggling to get their truck un-stuck from the snow.  The dirt road from the summit over to Avon is not one to mess with at this time of year.  I don’t care what kind of high lift, power stoke 4X4 you have, I’ll bet you a six pack it won’t make it from one highway to the other!

My back is now very sore from the work of getting them un-stuck, but they were very grateful for our help.  They didn’t have a shovel, chains or anything.  While we were helping get them back onto the road and out of trouble several other cars and trucks stopped to offer assistance.  It is very nice to see there are people out there who really care about others and their problem  circumstances.

Fun time for sure!  Thanks to everyone!

Bears Butt

Jan. 5, 2013