MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Midwest => Indiana => Topic started by: LundProv on Feb 08, 2023, 10:01 PM
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I have been watching our 10 day weather forecasts and had my sights set on today since this past Sunday. The ice on the backyard pond is just a little too iffy so after spending the last couple of days catching up on things, I decided today was the day to fish with my focus on Lake Michigan. I took a very enjoyable hike/walk with an old friend yesterday through the West Beach portion of the National Lakefront. This friend and I used to head up a local Boy Scout troop and are greatful we each watched our sons reach the level of Eagle Scout. This friend is a real fitness buff and I am not so much. I was concerned keeping up with him on the slopes, stairs and dune walking but I held my own. He did have to get a dig and say he was surprised I kept up so well for an old man. Whatever... There is a portion of a trail that walks along the lakefront beach for 1/2 a mile or so and a cold northwest wind was coming off the lake. There is quite a bit of shore/shelf ice present. I saw no boats out. So, this morning, after devotions, I did a few tasks and tied a jig on one rod - a slip bobber rig on another rod and the third rod had a swivel for casting lures/spoons. Lake Michigan has so much to offer this time of year. Perch to the west and Lakers, Burbot, Browns, Coho's, smallies with a rare surprise walleye can be found off the rocks along the port. With the amount of ice out there, I decided to target Burns Ditch where it enters the lake. Surprisingly, there were 18 rigs out when I showed up at 1 pm. I really thought it would be quiet by then. Once launched, I navigated to the mouth of the ditch and there was quite a bit of ice blocking access to the big lake. Regardless of the amount of ice jam, there are always people who chose to plow through to get out. I saw at least a few rigs that I'm sure are in excess of $50,000 and probably pushing $80,000 slowly plow through the ice. I was thinking... Going through those icebergs with the crashing and crunching noise all for the sake of a coho or two? Possibly more money than sense... I decided not to push it and just drifted up against the ice and casted from there. My efforts for casting all three presentations of jig/squid; slip bobber/squid and a KO Wobbler produced 3 keeper cohos, each between 17-18". I talked with a lot of boaters that went by and no one was setting the world on fire. Got home in time for a great chilli dinner and after cleaning fish, headed off to bible study. A great day to be out and I would encourage all to start thinking in that direction. The 10 day forecast looks promising and with common sense and an eye on safety, you can really enjoy a day on or near lake Michigan this time of year...
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Thank you, another good read and report.
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That's great you got out. This has not been a good winter if you like to ice fish.
My ponds should be ice free today. Just some slush barely hanging on. This will be the second ice out of the winter.
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Thanks, Lund!
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I appreciate the update Doc. Hopefully my rig will be done with the service and warranty work soon so I can get out there. I've been hearing a few really good reports of lakers and browns being had and would like to try it out sometime. Glad you had some time to enjoy your stroll with some good company !!
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Enjoyed your post as always. I'm not a coho guy but a few years ago went out with a friend that loves those spring things and we limited out in no time, trolling HotnTots.
Good you got out and enjoyed yourself.
Teach
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My ponds are ice free again even though temps dipped to 19 F. last night. Apparently the wind is keeping them open. I dare say what little ice fishing we may have had in my locale is over unless we get some freaky cold temps for a week or so.
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My ponds are ice free again even though temps dipped to 19 F. last night. Apparently the wind is keeping them open. I dare say what little ice fishing we may have had in my locale is over unless we get some freaky cold temps for a week or so.
I could start a topic about the dump I took this morning and you'd somehow bring up your ponds
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Thanks for the update, taxid!
Teach
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I could start a topic about the dump I took this morning and you'd somehow bring up your ponds
hahahahaha
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I could start a topic about the dump I took this morning and you'd somehow bring up your ponds
Well my ponds are indicators of the ice conditions, and they are right outside my window to see. So I thought I'd pass it on. I haven't had much time to do any fishing whatsoever on the local lakes, so I don't know how they are fairing due to elderly parents that need my attention 24/7. If you've never had parents with serious health issues living with you, boy are you in for a wake up call. Your life is over as you knew it. I make the daily meals and it's one crisis after another. Forget about getting help. They don't want to come to our rural area and are in short supply.
So I'll stop bringing up the ponds.
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Taxid... Please continue to report and share information regarding your ponds and what you observe around your property. I am not certain why people need to bash or comment negatively about someone else's contribution to a fishing post... possibly ego or pride or their need for attention... My heart goes out to you regarding the care for your parents. I have been there and done that but have very strong, devoted sisters who stepped up and filled the gap of my parents needing attention. While we were in the thick of it, it seemed overwhelming at times but I was fortunate to have others share and assist within the family. In hindsight, there was grief and strife but there was also opportunity to serve our parents and return some of the love and care they gave us for years. I also think this phase of life gives you a growth opportunity of vulnerability realizing two things. You have very little power or control on what ultimately happens to them and you realize that someday, you will most likely be in their position. If possible, get your rest, go out and take a walk around your property, review your priorities at this stage of life and pray. I admire what you are doing.
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Taxid... Please continue to report and share information regarding your ponds and what you observe around your property. I am not certain why people need to bash or comment negatively about someone else's contribution to a fishing post... possibly ego or pride or their need for attention... My heart goes out to you regarding the care for your parents. I have been there and done that but have very strong, devoted sisters who stepped up and filled the gap of my parents needing attention. While we were in the thick of it, it seemed overwhelming at times but I was fortunate to have others share and assist within the family. In hindsight, there was grief and strife but there was also opportunity to serve our parents and return some of the love and care they gave us for years. I also think this phase of life gives you a growth opportunity of vulnerability realizing two things. You have very little power or control on what ultimately happens to them and you realize that someday, you will most likely be in their position. If possible, get your rest, go out and take a walk around your property, review your priorities at this stage of life and pray. I admire what you are doing.
Thank you for the kind words... :azn:
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Cecil, keep up the good work.
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If I had ponds like Cecil's, I'd be sharing info too. A good insight into what is going on elsewhere. I have fished one of them, by the way, and enjoyed the experience. Keep us the good work Cecil!
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I too appreciate the info about your ponds and the updates on your brown trout babies. 👍🐟
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Taxid, I do respect the hell outta you for taking care of them like that. I can't even imagine the time and effort you put into that
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Taxid, I do respect the hell outta you for taking care of them like that. I can't even imagine the time and effort you put into that
Thank you.
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I could start a topic about the dump I took this morning and you'd somehow bring up your ponds
This has to be one of the best posts of all time simply because its hilariously true.
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Taxid like hearing your reports and information on rearing fish. I find it very interesting, keep up the good work.
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Count me in as one who enjoys reading the "pond reports" As a "down stater", they and the Michigan City
pier cam, give me a snapshot of fishing possibilities up north. Count this response also as an affirmation
as to the labor of love required of one who must take care of aging parents. Today marks the end of an
era for my family and the beginning of a new one. In a couple of hours my wife's mom will move from her
"stand alone" cottage to the "big house". A broken wrist from a fall precipitated the need for the transition.
94 and fiercely independant, she is not happy with the situation and has been a model of passive resistance
ever since the surgeon said, "No driving". For those who haven't had to deal with such a situation, let's say
the attention required is on the level of dealing with very young child. Imagine dealing with a 4 yr old who
has a law degree and see what that does for your state of mind. Taxi here's wishing you world of patience and
strength as you continue to care for your parents.
fish on,
rivereddy
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I feel your pain. My mother turns 99 next month. Still lives alone and dependent as all hell. (At least she thinks). Other than care coming in a couple times a week for a few hours a day. Thank God she finally gave up the car. Dad came to live with me for a few months. I couldn't handle it after a while. Caring for him was like having a newborn. We had no life. Finally, he had to go to a nursing home. Stayed 2 more years. Miss you, dad. My fishing buddy.
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I'm dealing with similar issues right now with one of my younger brothers.
He is one year younger than I but in bad health.
Drugs and alcohol took its toll on him.
His kidneys and liver are shot.
He fell a few weeks back and I took him to the ER and he got a cast on a broken left arm.
Came home and he fell again 2 weeks later, breaking his left leg and cracking 3 ribs.
He also developed sepsis.
So now he is in the hospital.
Actually, in the hospital, then rehab, and then back to ICU, and then into a different hospital.
They finally got the sepsis under control, but his ammonia levels spiked because they goofed up one of his kidney meds.
They finally moved him to Sarasota 3 days ago.
So now it's a 45 minute drive to see him one way.
His wife is working on securing a hospital bed for the house so she can get him home.
Not sure that's best for him, vs having him stay in rehab till the bones mend.
But it's her decision.
I'm trying to split visits with her to give her a break.
Even after(if) he mends, he can't get around easily.
He should be using a walker but will only use a cane - hence the fall.
I had a talk with him about this but unsure he will use the walker.
People don't want to give up their independence.
We all go thru it.
Sux.
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Hang in there Mac. Prayers sent.
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Thank you for all the kind words, and only those of us that are dealing with this kind of thing, or have dealt with it, really understand how stressful and overwhelming it is.
Hang in their Mac and to everyone else that is dealing with it or will be.
Looking forward to posting a picture of the 3rd month anniversary of the brown trout that were hatched December 16th, 2022 on March 16th 2023. I should be able to release them from the baskets into the circular tank itself then. They should be at least 3 inches by then. At 4 or 5 inches they will go into the outside pond and hopefully up to 15 inches by November.
Going full bore on a higher powered solar powered electric fence before I put then in the pond to keep the herons, otters, and mink out. Shooting the herons is out after I peppered the neighbor's house with farther reaching goose loads. Whoops! Thank God insurance took care of it. I told my wife I can't hit the side of a barn but I can hit the neighbor's house. As God is my witness I thought their house was out or range! :laugh: I've been taking out Great Blue Herons with a federal permit for 10 years and never hit their house until last May.
And of course as usual will add overhead monofilament lines to keep the magnificent ospreys out which could even include Bald Eagles at some point. Everybody wants a free lunch! But I can't blame them and I don't enjoy killing anything. The herons, otters, and mink will get the message without getting hurt. And the ospreys are smart enough not to try and dive bomb with overhead lines.
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Life can be a challenge for sure!!! May God grant you all strength and patience taking care of your loved ones! My Mom passed several years ago. Was in an Assisted Living Facility for 10 years and sharp as a tack at age 94. Had a bad heart and finally qualified for Hospice. Went to facility in Valparaiso where they gave her 3-5 days to live. She was there for over 6 months!!! Never got out of that bed. I made the 9 mile drive twice a day. Can't say enough about the people that gave her such lovable care!
Stay strong!!!
Teach
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Mac sorry to hear what you are going through, prayers sent for your brother.
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Thanks guys.
To be honest, I was surprised he was still alive when we moved down here.
(He is too)
He has good days and bad ones.
He was moved again 2 days ago, but only to a different wing in the same hospital.
I might head up later today to see him.
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My dad took a bad tumble last night putting my mom in bed, and is with the wife in the ER right now getting X-rays. They were both on the floor went I got over there (they are in an apartment that connects to my house via a deck.) Needless to say I spent another night over there. She has to get up during the night to use the portable stool at least 3 times sometimes 5 X, and can't do by herself. And he's no longer in any shape to help her. Can't wipe by herself either due to the right side of her body pretty much nonfunctional due to a stroke. She also has a heart attack a couple of years ago, and has a "Parkinson's like" disease going on. There are times when I think it would better for both of them if she passed as she's miserable and makes life rough for all of us. Her physical issues are not so bad if she would just be grateful. And she's a big Whiner.
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Prayers for all of you dealing with ailing family, never an easy job. God Bless
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Taxid I know what you are going through and it's a tuff job, went through it with my parents and I know it's hard. Hang in there and keep the faith, the end result is you will miss them dearly when they are gone.
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Taxid I know what you are going through and it's a tuff job, went through it with my parents and I know it's hard. Hang in there and keep the faith, the end result is you will miss them dearly when they are gone.
Thank you for the kind words.
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Hey Taxid, you’ve probably forgotten more about fishing and aquaculture than most people will ever learn. Keep up with your pond reports and new endeavors with your fish, I enjoy them as most others seem too. Hang in there with your parents, went through some with mine and my wife’s mom. We’re taking my wife’s 92 year old father to Oregon in April to stay with my daughter till we get there in May. He’s still in decent health but mobility in waning and is going to live with us until he gets too unable to get around at which time he’ll probably move to a home not far from our new house. I’ll try to stop by before we leave! Hex
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Hey Taxid, you’ve probably forgotten more about fishing and aquaculture than most people will ever learn. Keep up with your pond reports and new endeavors with your fish, I enjoy them as most others seem too. Hang in there with your parents, went through some with mine and my wife’s mom. We’re taking my wife’s 92 year old father to Oregon in April to stay with my daughter till we get there in May. He’s still in decent health but mobility in waning and is going to live with us until he gets too unable to get around at which time he’ll probably move to a home not far from our new house. I’ll try to stop by before we leave! Hex
Thanks for the kind words. I wish you the best out there. I've wanted to move north and east but am stuck here for now.