Solo Report

[aaron otto]

Went back to my roots this weekend. Ottertail county and its many bodies of water is still home for the majority of my in-state family members.

Fishing solo is something I enjoy. Gives me time to work on things and in the ongoing effort of becoming a better angler. This trip's focus is all about shooting the water column and banging the bottom with tungsten flies (I had tied and shared in a previous post).

A quick stop at the forefathers and a quiet word shared in good faith hoping anglers blood of yester-year would pump today for me.

A few miles short of hard water my camera spontaneously turned on and started clicking away forcing me to pull over and shoot this early morning homestead just waking up. Maybe it's just me, but trips aren't just about the fish, as I get older, the experience and its accumulation of events leading to time spent in the woods or on the water becomes more and more fulfilling. There was a time I would rush as fast as possible to get onto and into the fins... not so much anymore. Old I guess?

About to get back into the jeep and I saw this;

Sometimes when by yourself you can carry a tripod and a remote for your camera. This trip I was traveling as light as possible. This means shots of fish are only feasible while you're not holding the fish, but the camera. Hence fish on ice shots. Here is the first fish of the morning fell to the Tungsten-H (What we're calling it per my son's request). To give you some perspective, that is a 28 inch Thorne Brothers Quiverstick rod with a Shimano Sedona reel. Thank you guys in the Thorne B- Rod building department! Sweet stick.

Here is a close up - Big Bull Gills do like the bottom bounce. Learning every day!

Today I was fishing for my 84 year old grandmother's dinner plate who loves fresh fish. We don't keep many, the fly-angler in me has left a pretty permanent catch-and-release footprint. However, at her age it doesn't take too many fish to fill her up and I can't deny someone so special to me a request of a couple fillets to fry up. The pictured fish above was a dandy, but we released bigger all day long. Like this lucky Waxy-Eating- Crappie posing below. Perspective on this one? Who went to the ice show- that is one of the free pucks giving away as you entered. Turns out sunfish aren't the only fish who enjoy a good bottom-bounced tungsten tied fly.

So here was the ticket; The location below, with Green-glowed Tungsten bead head flies, waxy worms, 2 pound test, Thorne Quiver Sticks, 16 feet of water, and a cozy little flip over to stay out of the wind.

Until next time if you see this rig on the road - wave, honk, toss me a cold one! Fishing for the next two weeks straight. Who knows where, when, just the how.

[Sota2Florida]

Nice post and even better fish. Good luck in the coming weeks!

[aaron otto]

Thanks Sota.

[Cyberfish]

Nice report and photos!

[aaron otto]

Thanks Cyberfish.

[Scott Seibert]

Aaron,

Looks like you had a great time and caught some good fish. I had a solo trip yesterday morning and it was a blast. Fished in the Hackensack area and had 6-9 inches of ice and caught some good Gills and Crappies.

[aaron otto]

Thanks Scot. Treating it like a job right now. Goal is to learn as much as possible these next few seasons. Right now working finding fish consistently. Sounds easy in theory, but so much to learn, especially when you start new water.

Fished eagle lake for two days only two fish to show for It. Humbling.

[Lunker Luke]

What lake is that?

[slicjigger]

A job like that! You would see me putting in alot of o.t!

[aaron otto]

Address above lord look at gps screen

[silverbulletguy]

Nice story and pics. I'm jealous. I would love to be able to take the time and do what you are doing. Enjoy and stay safe!!

[harvey lee]

great report, very fun to read.

[CANOPY SAM]

Now THAT'S what I call an ice-fishing rig!

Great report! Thanks for sharing. I envy your job.

[aaron otto]

Thanks guys- getting ready for a 9 day ice fishing odessy right now. Want to try and nail a few species. Anyone know a place close to the Twin Cities with Lake Trout? (With a five hour's drive).

thx, ao

[engfish]

Burntside Lake--Ely

[aaron otto]

Thx engfish

[Stick in Mud]

Great report, and great pics. Good to see Grandma got a meal.

[aaron otto]

Thx carmike

[leech~~]

Thanks guys- getting ready for a 9 day ice fishing odessy right now. Want to try and nail a few species. Anyone know a place close to the Twin Cities with Lake Trout? (With a five hour's drive).

thx, ao

Sounds like fun. When are you starting your 9 day trip? Lake Trout doesn't open for a few days yet.

01/12/13 - 03/31/13

Lake Trout - Winter (outside or partly outside the BWCA)-2013 season

[aaron otto]

Leech - Trip starts this Friday. Thanks for heads up!

[Jon Chapman]

Thanks guys- getting ready for a 9 day ice fishing odessy right now. Want to try and nail a few species. Anyone know a place close to the Twin Cities with Lake Trout? (With a five hour's drive).

thx, ao

Big trout lake near brainerd..

[aaron otto]

Thanks Jon. @ Mille Lacs right now. Not too far away from here.

[Scott M]

Grindstone Lake near Sandstone has lakers too aaron, worth a look after opener, probably the shortest drive from the cities but it can be spotty fishing.