I hope you have better ice conditions there then here. We have a lot of slush on the ice. With all the moving for me, I've been out of condition this ice fishing season, but look out when I am all done and ready for the open water. I now have the boat in the garage, tuck under, so it will see my time by the end of month and get all tuned for the first time ever. I can't wait.
I hope you're catching fish and getting out. I have to live thru your fishing stories, if you have some. I bet Robbo has caught some big pike. You got them tip ups broken in?
Been trying hard for the big ones-- 5lb biggest of the year so far. This weekend didn't go so good. Had the perfect weather for fishing. No slush on the lakes, first time I drove out on the lakes (very nervously I might add). Took the GPS out, figured out where I wanted to fish, first spot has always been a hot spot for sight fishing pike through the Ice. May not catch alot, but usually see some big Pike and Muskies. Got the auger out, well this is where the great day went down hill. Took me 15 minutes to get the auger started and when it finally started, It wouldn't run right. After a number of tries, still wouldn't run right. Went and got the handy screw driver, with a little tweak here and tweak there, and a good kick in the side, she finally decided to run.
Got the holes drilled, now she's time to fish, got the tip-up set and thats all I did for the next hour and half. until the game warden showed up and we talked for a good half hour.
So since nothing was happening on the south end of the lake I decided to drive to the North end, not knowing what the Ice conditions were on the north end, I decided to walk out to my "other" hot spot. wasn't a far walk. I got out to the spot and my auger decided to get back at me for kicking it, FIRST PULL--- Broke the recoil rope. Had to pack my stuff up and head back to the landing and home. I got home and the wife asked if I was going to fix it. I just let it sit in the corner for awhile, like a bad boy. After a couple hours I decided to go at the job of fixing it. Took a little but the job got done.
Went out Sunday, That auger worked like it was brand new, Didn't help me catch any fish, But I think we came to Understanding over the previous days encounters, so hopefully the rest of the year we can just concentrate on catching fish, will be working on getting out to the really hotspot this weekend.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!!!!
Good Luck fishing to All!!!!
Robbo
Moral of the Story--- Be nice to your Augers and they'll be nice to you!!!!!
Yeah, I have come to terms with my auger too. Used to fight with it, now we are fishing buddies and have cut lots of holes. They just want to be treated nice. I think the time out worked. Cool. Auger training 101..
Good luck on the big pike now that the ice is better and the auger is ready to play ball.