More Ice Fishing Adventures in in Sweden
Since Andre took his beautiful pike in February we have been visiting the lake again almost every weekend. The results have only been smaller pike though. That is
until two weeks ago when I caught a brace that I will remember for a very long time.
The weather has been just wonderful as of late with warm days and temperatures that break monthly records 100 years old. Afternooon temperatures are 10 to 15 degrees Celsius but drop to -10 during the nights, thus the ice-layer on the lakes are still a comfortable 20 centimeters but with water on top because of melting snow.
This particular weekend we had been fishing all Saturday with nothing special happening. Before we called it a day I minced some roach with a knife and baited up some of the holes as we knew we would return the next day.
As we all had a few pints on Saturday evening we where unusually late on the lake on Sunday, arriving at 9. The walk from the car to the lake with all the gear can make you work up a sweat so I usually walk in my fleece underwear.
As we approached the lake we could hear the swans calling. I have never seen swans this early, normally they return from their winter quarters at the end of april!
They had one problem though, the only open water were small areas at the inlet and outlet of the lake where a small stream keeps the water open.
With the temperature at +5 and me still in my underwear I put out my four rods. Of course I used the holes that I had pre-baited the day before. With the last rod out I folded out my bedchair for some basking in the sun sun, but before I even had the time to sit down the bell from one of my indicators sounded and I was in action!
My winter shoes are not made for 15 centimeters of water on the ice so cold water started to pour in as I battled the pike. It was a pike in prime condition and I did not mind the water when I saw it. At only 104 centimeter it weighed 10,2 kgs (22 lbs 8 oz).
Showing off my 10.2 kg pike after weighing.
This pike could have been the only bite of the day and I would have been totally satisfied but after photographing the pike, rebaiting the hooks and changing socks at the base camp the same rod was off again!
This time it was a cracking pike that weighed in at exactly the same weight as Andres pike in February, 13.4 kgs or 29 lbs 9 oz. The length of this one was 3 centimeters shorter than Andres and measured 116 centimeters. A brace of pike at a total weight of over 50 lbs! Both were fought with me still in my underwear.
As you will understand the rest of the day was just about enjoying nature for me. I did not catch anything more that day. One of my friends managed to trick an 8 kgs pike in the afternoon but that was all.
We went out this very last weekend as well. The weather was even better with the sun blazing from a blue sky. With no wind we can enjoy ice fishing in T-shirts! No mega pike were caught but I managed to get one at 18 lbs anyway.
We have at least 3 weekends more of ice-fishing before the open water season begins. I know where I will be making base camp in the near future anyway!
To see the full gallery of photos CLICK HERE
All photos by Christer Sjaunja
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Steaker de Lurker
