I fished it the other day and it was safe where I was fishing with about 5 inches of ice. Gray day and first time out so noted some things I need to do to get my routine down. Also, my poor Ameristep hut needs serious maintenance and this might be the last year for it. Definitely got my moneys worth and no regrets. Caught fish at a steady rate. Kept some for dinner and they ate very well. Use caution as always.
The bite has recently been slow meaning a lot of time between marks and fish bites. I try to find the deeper spots and still am coming up in only 7 FOW. So you have to pay attention and fish will hit before you even see them on the Lowarnce. Keep a loose drag too as these fish are a feisty 16 inches and will rip off line when you do hook one.
We noticed the same thing the last time my boy and I went. We moved.... and moved some more before we found an area with fish consistently moving through. They are healthy looking bows though.
Smith always reminds me of Antero. Shallow lake that grows the fish so fast that they are shorter but football fat. But may be the best lake to ice in the valley!
Reply by: johnski Posted: 12/27/2019 8:15:54 AM Points: 5105
Hey Chodeman….I had the same thought about similarity to Antero. Same shallow conditions, strong fish and barely see em on the Lowrance before the strike. Have a good holiday...
Reply by: johnski Posted: 12/27/2019 8:18:02 AM Points: 5105
One more thing....I had always heard that the edibility of Smith trout is...well not the best. But I have taken a few back to the family and they love em. I can detect no bad flavor at all. Just a followup.
