BROEDEL

March 3rd 2012-Rich put the wheeler in a pressure crack on the way out, can’t  believe we got it free.  Slow day, 5 or 6 flags total.  Pello and Leon each got a nice 29 incher.  Neither placed for 3rd in the hourly winnings.  DEC stopped by, checked licenses and registrations, nothing exciting.  Tons of people, snowmobile worked much better on the ice then the 4 wheeler.  Coming off the ice some idiot put his sled right in a thin spot of ice, very entertaining and nobody was hurt.  The guy did go up to his waist in water right by shore check out the picture!

The weigh in was outside, there was a huge solicit from some local fishing pros about joining the tour or some shit, they sold food, no beer and you had to buy raffle tickets beforehand.  The ABAY weigh in is better, but the overall derby is better.  I watched the SU game in the FD.  Later that night at the bar next door to the hotel some guy got thrown through the sliding glass door, agian, very entertaining, check out the picture.  Tried to book the room again for next years derby, Bridget said it was to early and call back in November.

photos courtesy of pello

February 17^th – Got to camp around 2pm.  Rich and Pello fishing at the West End.  Kyle, Cook and JP arrive.  We set up 20 tipups in front of camp and fished for a few hours.  Caught about 6 or 7 small pike. Rich got a very heavy looking bass and Pello got a nice perch.

Headed to clayton in Kyle’s new truck, ate at Obrien’s.  Got back to camp, Greg and Billy had arrived.

Welchys 4 wheeler couldn’t take Pellos, I blame the operator, Kyle. He doesn’t know how to use an override button.  Funny Stuff!

February 18^th – Derby Day- Plessis FD at Flat Rock.  Rich got us up around 6; he was first on the ice. We set up on the west end near the 2 small islands.  Sunshine and warm in the morning.  Greg, Billy, Kyle and JP moved after about an hour and a half.  Pello showed up around 11am.  A snow front came in, couldn’t see ends of the lake.  Flags were busy all day, I had 4 doubles I think.  There was on minor lull after about 1pm but it didn’t last, we had flags all day.

I counted at least 15 pike, no bigger than 21 inches for myself and stopped keeping track.  Rich and Cook caught a bunch of pike also.  Several bass caught as well.  Could see perch down every hole beating on the minnows. We ate like Madison County Kings.  Cook had some awesome turkey soup, Rich had some awesome chicken, we ate Rosemary’s broccoli roll and had some beef roast, all smoked!!  Field cut some perch and a bass (would have died anyway ) and put them on the smoker.

Went to weigh in at Flat Rock, what a joke.  Riches shanty had more capacity and there were about 500 people packed in there.  We left after 20 minutes.  It was their first annual; hopefully they move the venue next year.  Lost Greg, he was outside sleeping upright

Friday Feb 3rd – Got to camp around 5pm. Rich stopped down then pello. Set up 10 tip ups for a little night action, only got 3 flags, packed it in after 2 hours.

Saturday Feb 4th – Got on the ice around 7, same place as last week. Good action right up until about 11 am. The best weather, full sun, no wind, 22 degrees. Lots of perch could be seen down the holes. Rich came out around 11. Pello brought some tasty homemade chili. Went to weigh in, saw Doug Mayne, he fished on Lake Ontario in a boat! Winning fish were two19 pound pike, wow!

Thursday Jan 26th 2012 – arrive at camp around 6:30pm after work.  Paul, Craig, Reggie, Rich and Melissa there, had Pizza and Wings for dinner. Reggie caught a 33 inch pike earlier that Craig threw back. Pello and Critter stopped down.

Friday Jan 27th 2012- pouring rain, 3 inches of water on the ice, pello brings his 4 wheeler down, we fetched Richs shanty and setup towards Goat Island around 7:30am. Pouring rain, were soaked by 8am.  Early flags, caught 10 or so pike, a few nice perch, Rich came out after work for a few hours and got a pike. Critter jigged a half bucket of nice blue gills in front of the red camp.  Packed it in late, almost couldn’t see tip ups (that’s why I forgot one there). Went back to camp, Donnie, Edwards, Travis and Welch had arrived.  Paul and Craig had a decent day of fishing in front of camp.  Played some cards, laughed a lot, Welch and I won the card game.  Everyone put in $5 for the longest fish, Donnie and Edwards went back to the northstar. Nert was a no show.

Saturday Jan 28th – up at 5am, Awesome morning!  Drove 3 cars on the Ice, set up about 500 yards before goat island, told Craig it wasn’t the spot and not deep enough.  Busy morning, lots of flags lots of small pike, Craig got a rock bass.  Rich smoked a roast, Paul had some tasty home made bacon, Craig smoked some fresh perch in bacon grease.  Had lots of other great food, venison and beef.  Craig’s 26 inch pike took the pot.  Started to get windy after the sun was out for a bit, gulls were eating old minnows.  Pello rolled in around 11am or so.  We left the shanty there and packed up at 4pm.

Craig got stuck getting off the ice, not really a big deal, was fully on the launch, no chance of car sinking.  Went to the weigh in, don’t remember what won, 15 pounder? I guess a lot of these winners are tank kept.

Sunday Jan 29th – Rich’s shanty sinking! Had 50mph gusts last night and it blew down to goat island and fell into a pressure crack.  Used pellos 4 wheeler and winch and 3 guys pulling to get it out, wasn’t too bad.  Luckily a corner was still above the ice or we would have been there a while. Rich fixed it to a hook at camp, minimal damage