Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

>     Anyone out there know the dates of this winter's
>     Winni Derby?
    
	Feb 1+2.   Got my flyer in the mail yesterday.

	Ken

    
      YOO GAFF!!
    
            Have you done any trouting lately..? Went down to Waldon
       pond last weekend a we got a few rainbows (small) and one
       largemouth 10".  
     
            I didn't know this but Waldon has the highest urine
        content in the state!!!   hummm,,,, Glade I peed in the woods
        :^)
    
                                                 KIV

    
    
    
          Re: -.1 Walden has the highest urine content...
    
          This is incorrect.Lake Urine (Cochituate) has the highest content of
          this substance.Hence the name.
    
    
    
                                              The Keg
    
     

    Hopefully the next couple of weeks will be cold enough to get some ice
    on winni, last I heard it was still open.
    
    -donmac

    They are predicting a good cold spell through next week, hopefully
    that will help.  10-20 below tonight.

    George

 I think that the current cold snap (supposed to last at least until next 
monday) might be just the thing to cure the soft water problem found on
some of the state's larger lakes. I can hope, anyway. :-)

I DROVE out onto Bow Lake yesterday to ice-fish.  Ice was 11-12" thick in 
most places.  I suspect that at least the protected coves on Winnie will be 
safe enough to drive out on.  If this cold continues, then a good part of 
Winnie should be safe to drive on.

Who else is going to the ice derby?  I'll be fishing out of Wolfeboro.

-joe-

    I'll be in the Derby, fishing at Newfound.  I just honed up
    the auger, put on new leaders and sharpend/replaced some hooks
    this weekend.

    George

    
    
        How much is the entrance fee for the Derby??
    

 I think it's $15.

It is $15.  And if you register after 12:00 Sat the 1st your ticket
is only good for the drawings.

I can send out a photocopy of the entry form if you want one.

If you mail it in now you can pick up your ticket at the derby headquarters.
I'd only send it in now if you knew you couldn't get to meredith before 12:00
or if you wanted to be part of the 8:00 and on $50 drawings.  The later
you enter the less chance you have to win $50.  But then again, there is more
of a chance that your number will survive to the $5000 drawing on Sunday.

George

    
    
           
       Thanks George, what time does it officially start? I'm an early bird
    and have no problems getting up but on the other hand I'm sure there
    will be all sorts of people trying to register at the same time.. What
    would be a good time to register???? I have never fished the Derby and
    might be hooking up with one of my friends who has a camp up at Merry
    Meeting Lake. 
    
    Gus

    I always pre-register so I couldn't tell you what time is the
    best.  I just got off the phone with the derby.  You can start 
    buying tickets at 4:00 am on Sat.  I would think the line moves
    fast, and a lot of people pre-register.  If you register this
    year they send you form in the mail next year.

    The headquarters will be located in a trailer in Meredith, at the town
    docks, right at the junction of rtes 3 & 25.

    George

    Does anybody have any tips for a first time Derby participant???
    Certain questions I have are around the tagged fish. Where do they
    release these fish??? What are they tagging??? I heard both Lakers and
    Rainbows. What are some good spots to fish.....areas, depth, etc...
    
    Any help would be appreciated as I have never fished Winnipesaukee
    before and the guys I'm going with have never caught anything worth
    talking about.
    
    Thanks in advance
    Bob

    From the Brochure:

    Over 1,000 lake trout in Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam,
    Big Squam lake, Newfound Lake and the First Conneticut Lake
    have been tagged by the NH Fish and Game.

    Rotary has added a total of over 2,00 tagged rainbow trout to
    the following lakes this year: Bow Lake, Masacoma Lake, Moore Resevior,
    Opeechee Lake, Lake Waukewan, Highland Lake, Granite Lake and
    Lake Winnipesaukee.

    As for where to go, I've tried Alton Bay, also off of Rattlesnake
    Island and Meredith Bay.  I had my best luck along the north
    west side of Meredith Bay.

    But I'll be at Newfound this year, up past the Ledges.

    George

	One other thing about fishing the Winni Derby. Salmon CANNOT	
	be taken during ice fishing season. You may already know all
	about this but I just wanted to meantion it. Because if
	you do keep a Salmon by accident, there is a fine.



			Good luck and great fishing
				Jim

 Yes, it cannot be stressed enough that salmon are not to even be taken from the
hole! You are supposed to cut your line if you hook a salmon without bringing
the salmon onto the ice. Last year, my cousin caught a "funny looking rainbow
trout." He put it in a bucket of water, and took it to the bait shop. "Is this
a sammin?" he asked. "Yup," said a guy who then left the area. My cousin took
the fish back and released it, and it swam away with vigor. Had he been caught
with the fish in his possession, he would have gotten a huge fine and possibly
gotten his equipment taken away and his right to fish in NH taken away. The
conservation officers are VERY serious about salmon.

 I'm going to fish Newfound on Saturday. If I don't catch anything saturday 
and the weather is decent, I may fish Winnisquam on sunday. I know a spot
that should be really good.

    Well, I made it through another Winni Derby.
    The weather was perfect, 35 degrees, no wind, flags all day
    
    
    YA, RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Actually it was close to torture, at best   :*)
    Bitchin cold, high winds, and no flags
    
    On the bright side though, we ate well and the trucks didn't
    go through the ice  :*)
    Already looking forward to next years's derby.
    
    Gone fishin
    Gaff

    4 of us spent the weekend on the outside edge of winter harbor. 
    
    Same sentiments as .14, no fish, we ate well and the truck didn't go
    swimming...
    
    Talking about building a 6 man 8'x12' shack for next year...
    
    -donmac 

    Thanks for the information guys.......
    
    I fished my butt off up there and got lucky!!! Seeing as I had no clue
    as to where to go and more areas to try I figured it was a hit or miss
    situation. Arrived at Meredith at 8:00 a.m. Friday and went out to 
    Meredith Bay. Two hours no flags to be seen anywhere. Picked up and
    went Nortwest to Beaver Island off of Leavitt Park. Two hours no flags
    again. Picked up again and went to Long Island. First half hour flag up
    and a smokin' reel. Hooked what I thought was the giant Rainbow I was 
    looking for. When I finally got the fish to the hole I looked down to
    see the nicest landlocked salmon that I have ever seen (best guess
    would be 4 lbs.) Ugh!!!!!! Let it go while the tears ran down my face.
    20 minutes later my buddy gets a flag. Once again the reel was smokin'
    The hook was set and the line snapped about 10 seconds after. 
    
    Derby Day and were at the same spot. First half hour and the flags
    start popping. All salmon!!!! Picked up and moved to Squam only to have
    nothing happen except for Perch 40 ft. down. I have never caught a
    perch that deep before. First day and nothing to show for it. Sunday we
    head for Paugus Bay on a tip. Looking for the 70ft hole we end up in 
    about 15ft of water. Decide to leave them where they were. 10:00 a.m. 
    first flag. Run over to the hole to see the reel smokin' again. All
    I could think of was another salmon. After about 5 minutes and pulling
    in about 70 ft of line I see a huge Pickerel. Landed him and took him
    right to the Derby Headquarters. 4.25 lbs. biggest Pickerel I ever
    caught. Also the biggest Pickerel of the day. $100.00 for first place
    in the Pickerel division. Didn't catch one trout all weekend but ended
    up catching a winning Pickerel.
    
    Next year the boat!!!
    Thanks again for the tips.
    
    BOB

    congrats!

    
    There was four of us fishing out about a mile from moose island in
    Winni. and one guy caught a 13 inch laker on saturday and the same guy
    caught a 17 inch laker sunday. First time for me fishing the derby
    and the first time I ever took my truck out on the ice.. Oh well
    anybody know what size fish won??? Last I heard there had been a 10lb
    laker caught on saturday!
    
    Gus

               I heard that somebody caught a 5lb. laker and
    that is what won the boat.  Don't know for sure if that is
    correct or not............
    
                Bob

    At 3:00 on Sunday the largest tagged trout was a 5.18 lb laker, there
    were a bunch of small tagged rainbows too.

    The largest lake trout at that time was the 10lber from Sat.

    Anyone know where the 10lber was caught?

    George

    	What kind of boat was the prize?
    
    	Rod

    Saturday our group caught a 5.45 pound pickerel to win Saturday.  We
    also had a rainbow on the board Sunday and a 4.??? Laker.
    
    The pick was the only winner..
    
    Nick

>    	What kind of boat was the prize?

    An 18' Four Winns 187 Quest.  With a 120 hp Evinrude and a
    Sure Load trailer. $18,995 value.

    George

 The 10 lb laker came from Sunapee. Second year in a row the largest fish came
from Sunapee.

 Sunapee has an additional set of rules regarding bait for ice fishing. You 
can't use live bait or whole bait (as I understand it.) Somebody said you
could use smelt as long as you cut the headds off of them. Does anybody fish
Sunapee and know how they really work things over there?

 The Doctah

    	I heard there was some controversy over the winning fish. The
    controversy was that it was caught on a cusk rig. When cusk fishing,
    from what I understand, you're allowed 6 rigs vs. 2. Also, the rigs can
    be left out overnight whereas regular rigs must basically be attended.
    
    	Not sure if this can be considered an "unfair" advantage over fishing
    specifically with non-cusk rigs, but I guess it's being looked into.
    Sounds like there may be a new rule added to next years rules if it's
    determined to be an unfair advantage.
    
    
    	RAYJ 

 It is against the law to keep anything but cusk caught on a cusk rig!

 "Any fish, other than a cusk, caught on a cusk fishing device must be
immediately released by cutting the line without removing the fish from the
water." from the freshwater fishing guide

 If the fish was truly caught in such a manner, than it should be 
disqualified as not having been caught using "legal methods."

    
    
       Anything is possible but I would venture to guess that the derby
    officials would have a compiled list of state angling laws and if the
    law is on the books then the fish would of been disqualified. maybe the
    story of the fish being caught on a cusk rig is somebody's way of
    causing problems fro the winner.
    
                                                              Lee
    

       
          A good friend of mine (that has a home on Alton Bay) was counting
       the days till the Derby, he and two other friend's head up to Winni
       on thursday night. They got everything ready that night and all got
       to bed early so they could get an early start. He's been fishing
       Winni for years and THINKS he know's where they're hiding, early the
       next morning (before light) he and his friends start out across the
       ice heading for his BOB-HOUSE, they arrived only to find that
       someone TORCHED it, it was burnt right to the ice. 
          Needless to say he went crazy. 
    
    
           Sad story, but he thinks he know's the person that did it.
    
              Frank

         .6, Did you catch those fish in the same area??? Pickerel, Rainbow
    and a laker.... As I said earlier we couldn't land a trout to save our
    lives.
    
         .7, That's a bummer. There seem to be a few vindictive people up
    there. I don't know the whole story surrounding the Derby winner but
    he was disqualified for a while because somebody told the Derby
    Officials that he caught that fish on Wednesday with a cusk rig.
    Biologist then did a test on the fish and determined that it had in
    fact been caught on Saturday...
    
    I thought fishing was supposed to be fun!!!
    
    Bob �

 My cousin's bobhouse on Newfound had the lock cut off when he went up on 
saturday. Of course he didn't have anything of value in it, but it was still
annoying to drive out there and see the door flapping in the breeze...

    Re:  2 back
    
    Ya, I saw the remains of the torched bob house.  It was right next to
    the wild bunch that was flying the pirate flag.  Does your buddy think
    it was one of them?  Whats the big deal about burning them down
    anyways?  I noticed in the abstract, they have a law that acrtually
    prohibits burning a bob house.  Do so many of them get torched that
    they actually need a law prohibiting that?  Sad deal, to say the least!
    
    Gone fishin
    Gaff

 Apparently, people too lazy to haul the sucker off the ice wouldn't mind
just torching the thing where it stood. Lead to an awful lot of debris before
it was outlawed (or so I've been told.)

    In the area we were fishing we caught bass, trout, cusk, carp,
    pickerel, and salmon.  No perch of any kind.  Our group also won the
    biggest pickerel for the weekend and ended up with an extract $500.00
    
    
    Nick

    
    
       And where might that be??? :')
    
    Gus

    Yah!!!! I was wondering myself............
    
    Where do you find such a vast array of our scaly friends� ? �
    
    Bob ;')

    				WINN-I-PE-SAUK-EE

    Well that narrows it down to 44,000 square acres.....
    
    Bob :'(

    Read last night in this month's Hawkeye that the fisherman who weighed 
    in the winning fish turned himself in to the Meredith police and that 
    he and his two partners have been arrested and are out on $19,000 bail.
    
    The charge is something like "conspiracy to commit theft through deception"
    the max penalty is 15 years in prison.
    
    The story didn't go into too much detail.  It just said the fish was
    not caught where and how they had originally said.
    
    -donmac

 Apparently, they caught the fish in the 2nd Connecticut Lake (ice fishing 
is not allowed except for cusk) and caught it on a cusk rig. Since they
knew where the fish was from due to the number on the tag, it was easy to catch
them in their lie.

    Whats a cusk Rig??  How is it different than a standard tip up???

re:      <<< Note 96.27 by SUBPAC::SUBPAC::BACZKO "Now, for some fishin'" >>>

>    Whats a cusk Rig??  How is it different than a standard tip up???


	There's no spool.   It's basically a piece of wood about a foot
	long with line wrapped around it end to end. I think you have
	to have a 2-4 oz sinker within 6'' of the hook as well.  The 
	stick lies across the hole with the hook/bait placed on the bottom.

	Ken

 "A cusk fishing device (a device for storing line) must be plainly marked with
the name and address of the owner. The use of free running line, spools, etc
is prohibited. Line must be securely attached to the device, and a sdinker 
weighing at least 1 oz must be securely attached to the bait end of the line.
This sinker must be independent of a single attached hook and no more than
6" above the hook. In addition, the sinker must be on the bottom while the
cusk fishing device is in use. Bobbing, jigging or any activity so as to attract
fish by the movement of the bait is prohibited. Any fish, other than a cusk, 
caught on a cusk fishing device must be immediately released by cutting the
line without removing the fish from the water."

 From the 1990 NH F&G freshwater guide

    Then I ask??  How can that be an advantage to fishing over the methods
    of a standard tip up or jigging pole,(besides leaving it out all
    night)?
    
    Me again

    re:-1
    
    	For one, it can be fished 24 hours a day, unattended, and must only
    be checked once within that time period.
    
    	Also, I believe you can have up to 6 cusk rigs IN ADDITION TO your
    regular tipups/jig sticks.
    
    	RAYJ

    pretty sure it's may 14/15/16
    
    -donmac

    
    
                      It's true...14, 15, 16 in May
    
    Cabins are going fast. I made reservations at the Naswa last week!
    
    They still have a few left. It's in a nice "calm" area right at 
    
    the beginning of Paugus Bay. It's also a NO WAKE zone and has 
    
    many docks. $70 a night for 4 people.
    
                                      Jeff (Captain)
                                      Team Starcraft

    Seeing no one had any scouting reports in the other note I was
    wondering if anyone would like to give their results of the Salomon 
    Derby at Winni last weekend?
    
    Our boat showed a 100% improvement over the previous year in both
    Salmon and Lakers. It's easy to do when we had gotten skunked. Thurs-
    day night we were at our place in Weirs and in bed by midnight. Un-
    fortunately the anticpation was running wild and by 3:00 a.m. we were
    up. By 4:00 a.m. we were on the water and enroute to Rattlesnake
    Island. By 5:00 a.m. 5 lines were in the water and we were trolling.
    At 5:15 a.m. my trolling motor ate my 30' leader on the leadcore set
    up. I move the other rod behind me to retie (an 11.5' noodle rod with a
    grey ghost). Well while in the process of reting a fish decided he
    liked that grey ghost and BOOM. I get whacked on the head as my pole is
    about to go in. Grab the pole just in time for the fish to spit the
    hook. One on one gone.
    
    Moving into Alton Bay we see a salmon clear the water. Wow!!! Make a
    marking and head for him. No sooner did I say that fish was right
    around here when my buddy yells out Fish On. Not much of a fight for a
    Salmon but a nice fish. 21 3/4" male with a big hook schnoz. It later
    weighed in at 3.4 lbs. Not big enough!
    
    2 minutes after taking that fish off we see another one clear the
    water. Let's go for two I said as the battery died on the trolling
    motor. It seems as though my buddy didn't charge it up like he was
    supposed to. No problem I said kick on the gas motor. It seems like he
    didn't check the gas either. The most important morning of the Derby is
    ruined. To make matters worse the Floatilla saw us land the fish and we
    were surrounded in 5 minutes. Scaring those salmon right on out :^(
    
    After exchanging many comments and getting the gas and other battery we
    needed we headed for less pressured water. Five minutes into it I land
    a nice 4 lb laker. This fish was filled with eggs or smelt. I couldn't
    tell and I already new the largest laker so far was over 7 lbs. So back
    into the lake with her. Many more comments were then exchanged as we 
    headed for home.
    
    Only one more hook up was had on Saturday. The same guy who was
    responsible for the batteries and gas is also not very good at physics.
    It appears he doesn't believe that a boat going 4 mph one way and a 
    salmon or laker,4 colors out on lead core, stationary or moving in the
    opposite direction needs another 20 to 30 lbs. of pull to set the hook.
    
                                "SNAPPPPP"
    
    More comments exchanged!!!! All and all we had a really good time and I 
    wouldn't trade those guys in for anything. Like I said 100% improvement
    over the previous year. I figure next year will be in the money.....
    
    How did everybody else do???
    
    Bob� 

    Well, it is January 17th and whatever ice there was is now gone. At
    least the kind you can stand on!!! Does anyone know if they are
    considering cancelling the ice fishing derby at Winni? I may be a bit
    premature but the weather forecast does not sound too conducive to
    hard water fishing.
    
    Moosehead Lake had two inches as of yesterday and that was spotty. I'm
    assuming Winni must be wide open.... Any reports?????/
    
    Thanks,
    Bob M�

    I moved my comment on whether any legal rainbow water was open  to
    topic 161 along with subseqent replies...
    
    My relevent comment to this topic was they'd probably post pont the
    winni derby
    
    -donmac/mod

    I called Derby headquarters this morning, 603-279-7600.  The derby is
    still on for Feb. 4th and 5th.  He said that all the coves and bays
    are ice covered.  The Broads are wide open.  I can't imagine the
    parking hassles if we can't drive on the ice!
    
    Gone fishin
    Gaff

    The Winni Derby has been postponed 1 week.  It will take place on Feb.
    11th and 12th.  This information is from Derby Headquarters.
    
    Hope mother nature complies.
    
    Regards,
    Garry
    

    Definitely is postponed, I called to verify.

    Just had to be sure.  Feb 11th,12th.

    George

    Well,  the weather cooperated, who would have thought a week and a half
    ago winni would be covered with ice.
    Who's going?  We'll be there, about a mile out of Merideth bay, right
    by a boat launch off of I think is snake hill road?  
    
    Garry
    
    

    We had to back out this year. First year in many that we will miss the 
    Derby. You should have some good fishing this year not too many people
    have had a chance to pester the fish this winter.
    
    Good Luck and let us know how you do.
    Bob M�

    Does anyone have any experience on where to catch rainbows
    (the derby species targeted for the grand prize) through the
    ice? I've never caught any (through the ice) and am curious about
    techniques that work during the winter. If on a large lake like
    Winni do they tend to school in the shallows or do they suspend
    over deep water.If so, how deep? What kinds of bait work well?
    I've heard people say line diameter is critical. A friend suggested
    you need to drop down to 2lb test, #16 hooks and pin smelt to
    pick up the large fish. Otherwise you just don't get the hookups
    because of the water clarity...Must have to play them real easy!
    Do they hang over rocky or sandy bottoms? What about power bait,
    salmon eggs or worms? Small sinkers? No sinkers at all? Thanks for
    any info.
    
    Marty

    I wish I knew�?� I've yet to catch a Rainbow through the ice at Winni.
    They catch them but never where I am! I have had luck in smaller bodies
    of water fishing anywhere from three to 15 feet below the ice. On
    both smelt and mealy (sp) worms. Everytime at the Winni Derby I end
    up with huge salmon which I would love to have at the Spring Salmon
    Derby. 
    
    I do have one suggestion regarding 2lb leader material on Rainbows
    through the ice. Bring a file and the patience of a Saint because
    once the Rainbows see the light there going to run that leader material
    in a circle around the hole and the first nick in the ice you can say
    by by :^(. I've had them do it to 8lb test low temp line. Your friends
    are right when they say these fish are line shy. Winni is still a very
    clear lake. We've had good luck with a flat green colored line. Which
    is not as noticeable (at least to me) under snow covered ice.
    
    Good Luck and watch your step out there. Remeber, snow insulates and the
    ice accumaltion slows down due to this insulating factor. It only got
    really cold after we got all the snow......
    
    FWIW
    Bob M�

    I wish I knew too!!  We have only caught lakers through the ice at
    winni.
    
    I believe last year, the winning tagged rainbow was caught right out
    in front of Derby Headquarters. 
    
    Hopefully this year will be different.  Gonna try some different spots.
    
    Garry
      

 
Yes, This weekend theres a Salmon Derby on Winni. I just
found out about it ! Hope to see you there.


Its the First Annual Salmon Unlimited Fishing Derby

I have nothing to do with the derby. Expect that I'll be
fishing and trying to win :)


	The fishing Derby Headquarters will be at the
	Silver Sands Motel located on Winni in Gilford NH

	$25 entrance fee includes one year membership to
	SALMON UNLIMITED!

	Price for Largest Salmon,  Largest Lake trout and
	Largest Rainbow.

	Thousand of dollars in prizes. 

	Largest Salmon first price is a 14' alum. boat, motor
	and trailer. 2nd $500 and 3rd $250

	Largest Lake trout first price is a 2 person boat 
	(I think its a crad dad like boat). 
	2nd $350 and 3rd $175

	Largest Rainbow first price is $ 100.
	2nd $75 and 3rd $50.

	There are also other prices for Saturdays biggest
	fishs and door prices, ect.

	Also a portion of the proceeds will be used in the
	stocking of Winni in the spring of 1996.
	
	You can register from now until Friday morning at 
	these location below. 

		Wildlife Taxi Derby in Manchester
		Jims discount bait in Merredith
		PK Zilas in Laconia
		Alton bay bait and tackle in Alton 
		

	Friday until 10 PM you can ONLY register at Silver Sands.

	There is NO Saturday morning registeration.

	Please call 603-669-8732 for more information.
	


         

    Does anyone have any ice reports from Winni. Things are pretty slushy
    down here and I was thinking about doing a little scouting before the
    Big Derby.
    
    Thanks,
    Bob M�

    We were close to Wolfboro on Sunday. The ice was 8-12 with slush/water
    between the ice and the snow. It was fine for people and snowmobiles.
    I didn't see any cars out though. Where we were a car probably would
    have been ok. I would think Alton would have a lot more ice then
    Wolfboro. Someone stoped by and said they saw tracks across the broads.
    No one in our group was brave enough to head out there and drill a test
    hole as it hasn't been frozen over that long....Fishing was slow. One
    flag all day...a "chew and screw" as we call them....
    Good luck during Derby,
    Marty

    Well this years Winni derby is around the corner and the weather ain't
    cooperating. Does anyone know how thick the ice is in Alton bay? I
    heard that there are ice houses out on sections of the lake. Does
    anyone know what the ice conditions are on some of the other listed
    lakes on the derby flyer? 

    Thanks, 
           Gus

    Last nights paper had a picture of some ice fisherman on Winni. They
    were saying there is 16 inches on parts of the lake. I would assume
    Alton Bay being a little sheltered would freeze pretty well.
    
     Regards
    
     DonB,
    

    Any trip reports?  Catch the big one?  Is the whole lake iced over?
    Any pressure cracks (with vehicles sticking out of, that were previously
    driven by people feeling no pain  :*)   I still remember the year
    I saw at least 7 or 8 vehicles that had dropped into the cracks!
    
    Gaff

    
      Well, I went up and fished with Spinnerbait Dilsworth and managed 
    just one fish......a 17 inch Laker I couldn't even enjoy eating. 18"
    to keep, 24" to board.....didn't make either.....back in the water.
    When I saw the Winnebago turn into the parking lot, I wondered. When
    it proceeded onto the ice, I winced. When it parked right next to a
    bunch of other cars, I just shook my head. It never went in, though.
    Neither did the snomobiles skimming open water in front of Trexler's
    Marina.....about 100-120 feet-worth. There was one guy with an entire 
    coyote pelt fashioned into a nifty hat. Guys playing nerf football out 
    there....people grilling and chilling.....heated ice shanties. Quite
    the event.....my first derby.....next year I think I'll prepare and do
    it up in style. No water skimming though, thanks.  <8-)
    
                                                  >>>---Eric--->