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Fish: Cutthroat Trout

Found some ice... and some fish

Post By: eholm      Posted: 11/5/2023 3:37:29 PM     Points: 12587    
First ice trip of the season was a big success. Found 6" of ice and several 16" (and fat!) cutties. I went in on skis, and Lance was on foot.

I posted very detailed ice reports on 30 alpine lakes last season (a virtual goldmine of data), and hope to do the same this season, so I'm not stingy with information. But this particular lake would not benefit from extra traffic, so if you recognize it or figure it out please do not name it. (Even though very few would attempt to get there anyway)

That having been said, I'll give you some pointers if you want to look for early ice. This was above 11k feet. Smaller bodies of water, shallower water, and those with more shade tend to freeze first. There are actually lakes around 9500 feet that are currently frozen, while some up to the 12k range are not yet frozen due to those variables.

Obviously, going into the backcountry has risks, and even more so in the winter, so do your homework and be safe-ish.


 Reply by: Kev-o      Posted: Nov. 5, 5:46:58 PM     Points: 81039
Beautiful fish man congrats!👍
 Reply by: SirGreg88      Posted: Nov. 5, 6:14:14 PM     Points: 308
You guys are bada$$. More energy than I have anymore. Thanks for posting!
 Reply by: Trailerman      Posted: Nov. 5, 8:02:11 PM     Points: 275
Good job y’all! Keep up the good work. I’m itching for some ice and about ready to break out the snowshoes. Was it this side of the divide?
 Reply by: eholm      Posted: Nov. 5, 11:00:54 PM     Points: 12587
Thanks guys!

Trailerman, yes east of the divide.
 Reply by: Barnacles      Posted: Nov. 6, 7:56:10 AM     Points: 4107
Awesome. After a summer of working on boats I'm actually looking forward to the tranquility of ice fishing.
 Reply by: yard dogs      Posted: Nov. 6, 9:04:20 AM     Points: 759
 Reply by: droolr      Posted: Nov. 6, 10:46:02 AM     Points: 3450
Nice . Iam planning on doing this myself weather permitting this week .
 Reply by: randog      Posted: Nov. 8, 12:50:18 PM     Points: 1800
I was going to hit up isabell the other day, but one guy in our group was not in good enough shape. So we went with plan b. Still had a good time though. Waiting on reports for the rawha wilderness. 😉
 Reply by: eholm      Posted: Nov. 8, 4:52:03 PM     Points: 12587
randog, nice. This would definitely be a good time of year to hit isabelle, as it was very tough to get down to the water by the time I got there in march. But better chance of catching higher numbers there at LL. I haven't iced the Rawah, I would like to get up there this year. Whose reports are you waiting for, skiers, lol?
 Reply by: johnski      Posted: Nov. 10, 12:03:04 PM     Points: 4252
Dang you guys are killing me! Still have a deer to get, and you torture me with those pics? Nice catches fellas!!
 Reply by: randog      Posted: Nov. 20, 2:17:12 PM     Points: 1800
Eholm, yeah detailed reports from A skier Boy I sure envy your trip. 😉
 Reply by: Troutbisquits      Posted: Nov. 20, 4:14:15 PM     Points: 2222
Randog there are no fish in the Rawahs....
 Reply by: Anteroman      Posted: Nov. 21, 5:03:09 PM     Points: 6992
Eholm
Very nice pictures and report. I’m old so I won’t be visiting your discovery, but it’s really nice to see the rewards for your efforts.

I’ve said in before and it’s still true………..youth is wasted on young people!

Keep sending the reports, I can still enjoy those down here at sea level where it’s easier to breathe.

Bill
 Reply by: Tbubb      Posted: Nov. 26, 3:52:34 PM     Points: 7643
I have some weekdays off and when it is too cold to climb, can fish on occasion. If you want to get out to some of those other lakes and dunk some lures, LMK - got my own stuff and can drive, but don't go on early ice alone, and don't like to drive too far for just one person.
I can get out on Weekdays, but my regular fishing partners can't.
 Reply by: eholm      Posted: Nov. 28, 8:12:39 PM     Points: 12587
Sounds good Tbubb. Are you a rock climber?
 Reply by: Tbubb      Posted: Nov. 29, 8:05:26 PM     Points: 7643
Yep. That's mostly what I do. Fishing is a side gig, for occasions when the weather isn't good for climbing or I need a rest day.
 Reply by: buffchip      Posted: 8:27:58 AM     Points: 3594
dam! That second fish looks like it ate the first fish! LMAO.
Great pics and great info. Always enjoy reading your reports alpine lake fishing and your trave thru the high country! Your photos and accounts would make an excellent book! Maybe you'll have time someday. Schweitzer would probably be a good partner since he knows the region so well.
Thanks Eholm


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