Ice Fishing Wisconsin 2018

by | Feb 10, 2018 | fishing at Manitowish Waters Wisconsin, ice fishing

Our annual ice fishing trip to the Great Northwood’s of Wisconsin has two other purposes beyond the fishing.  Have a good time and eat well.  Our incredible host George Hillenbrand treats us to the best of the best when it comes to food.  Regardless of the feast last night, before heading to the freezing cold ice fishing grounds, our first move of the day was to gorge on a massive breakfast.

 

We returned to the same black crappie waters that we fished yesterday.  Last night ended slow but we had hopes that the morning bite would be on again.  Indeed it was but it was half what it was yesterday.  We each landed a crappie or two but then that was it.

 

Around noon when it was time for Joe Pestka to whip up our fresh fish lunch we were a bit leaner than yesterday on crappie to cook.  Not to worry.  Joe’s ice shack kitchen has plenty of alternatives including bacon and French fries.

 

Joe cooked up about ten pounds of bacon and fries to go with our fish.  It was a treat.  Undoubtedly, when I get home starts with a huge hike, ski or biking!

 

The afternoon continued slow.  We moved to a new spot and at first that didn’t produce.  George, Rick and Dave headed back to the Chippewa Retreat while John, Larry and I continued to jig.  It was so cold that I gave up my outside chair to jig inside one of our heated tents.  At 4 PM, as if a switch went on, the crappies arrived.  In the last half hour we landed about 20 black crappies.

 

Patience is always a key in fishing.  We had a slow day but made up for it in the last 30 minutes.  It was an amazing sunset in the north of Wisconsin.  The sun doesn’t get very far up in the horizon here but the days are lengthening fast.

 

We’re just back from yet another epic meal.  Tonight we hit another Manitowish Waters favorite, Little Bohemia.  Dinner and deserts were outstanding!  We have one more day on the ice.

 

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

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I started fly fishing at age 7 in the lakes and ponds of New England cutting my teeth on various sunfish, bass, crappie and stocked trout. I went to Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where I graduated with a Naturalist Degree while I discovered new fishing opportunities for pike, muskellunge, walleyes and various salmonids found in Lake Superior and its tributaries.

From there I headed west to work a few years in the Yellowstone region to simply work as much as most people fish and fish as much as most people work. I did just that, only it lasted over 20 years working at the Jack Dennis Fly Shop in Jackson, WY where I departed in 2009. Now it’s time to work for "The Man", working for myself that is.

I pursue my love to paint fish, lecture on every aspect of fly fishing you can imagine and host a few trips to some of the most exotic places you can think of. My ultimate goal is to catch as many species of fish on fly possible from freshwater to saltwater, throughout the world. I presently have taken over 440 species from over 60 countries!

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