Well, back when I was a kid in Niskayuna, I was always allowed to open ONE present on Christmas Eve when we got home from church. Now that I have moved back after fifteen years (and all family moved away), it appears as though this year I got to open more than one sweet present. Granted, none were the "40 Inches Or Bust" caliber fish, but for a guy who loves pike today was a jackpot.
And the company on XMas Eve couldn't have been sweeter. What a great buncha' dudes.
Some of us put in the morning shift on the local Pike pond, and the afternoon on my backyard Walleye puddle.
Even our long-lost buddy WALDO showed up on a tip-up after dark right here at the house.
Here are some shots from my new camera. With gratuitous narrative since I've been drinking holiday beers since the early hours and I am feeling extra festive. (thanks for driving me around, Duane).
Here is my XMas Eve in a wrapu-up- caution, I am loaded and the photos will be h-e-a-v-y.
Consider it Jeezus Birffday Fish Porn:
The day started off with some eggs and cheese after the gear was set:
There was a LMB pictured in BB's post that shook the tip-up well before all my stuff was out. I knew it was going to be a good day. Before too long, the Esox were cruising the spot- and I think I got six before lunch. I also lost an apparent PHATTY that instantly cut some gnarly pike leader. I'd like to have another shot at that fish.
Here are some others though:
Reel Force's new shanty is a tropical OASIS on a frozen tundra. You can't say THIS guy doesn't get too unwind in the new digs:
No sooner does he get comfortable- then his WHIP UP goes off (with no sign of a breeze):
I am no ESOX expert, but I did learn alot about how to catch them on the fly at ice-out. Now I am starting to realize that if I want a FORTY-INCHER, it will come through the ice. Preferably this winter.
Nothing of that class today, but here are some others:
Reel Force took this shot on my camera as I had a pike on the hook, and I am convinced it may be tied for "Shot of the Day" with the last photo in this post:
More Esox Lucius from the morning:
Then Reel Force and BB had to leave. So Duane and I went back to my house to to meet DeadFishRed at my house to "christen" the homewaters for the 2009-2010 ice season:
The guys with the Vex's toughed it out and slayed small perch all evening. Both dudes stuck around well past dark:
"Christening" on Christmas Eve is not that productive, but we did want a WALDO and we got it.
Turns out, WALDO wanted a medium shiner about 15ft down for XMas. So I gave it to 'em.
He accepted:
Special Thanks to Duane for being so cool and driving my loudmouth butt around, Reel Force for staking out the prime waters as always, Bassin' Brian just for showing up, and DeadFishRed for cranking some KILLER live tunes across Snyders Lake all night tonight. While we may not be classy folks- we can fake it with the best of 'em:
MERRY CHRISTMAS, FISHIN' BUDDIES!!!!