Hard Water, Hard Luck

I was in the grocery store in Deer Lodge, Valley Foods. One of the owners, Gerald Bender, is an avid ice fisherman. I'd say a local legend as far as ice fishing goes. "Hey Ron, the fish have been biting a little. Ready to try it?" He's been inviting me to go with him for weeks. My schedule was clear, so I said yes.



Gerald said he'd pick me up at my house at 6:00am, and we'd head to Canyon Ferry Lake, south and east of Helena, MT. Gerald has all of the gear required, all I needed to bring was a lunch.


The appointed day rolled around, I was up early packing my lunch and pouring coffee in the Thermos. Just stepping out of the shower at 5:30 when the dog started barking. Somebody was knocking at the door. It was Gerald. First lesson of the day, when he says 6, he means 5:30. Threw on some clothes and grabbed my pack, away we went.

During the drive, about an hour and a half, we talked of everything from the grocery business to fishing and hunting and golf at Rock Creek. That golf discussion didn't take very long, as I'm no good at it and Gerald hasn't played out there, yet. Anyway... we get to the lake, find the spot and start drilling holes. with the ice auger/drill.



The short story is, the fish didn't cooperate very much. We had three bites all day. Gerald hauled one fish out of the lake. It was one of those "Shoulda been here yesterday" type days. It happens, especially when you are talking about fishing.

I learned some good tips and techniques, had a good time, and got a couple of nice sunrise photos. Better luck next time, as I'm about ready to go again.

Even on the ice, with the wind blowing and the fish not biting, it was way better spending the day out there, than it would have been spending it in the office or inside the house.


The sunrise alone was worth the trip.

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron