Frostbite season safety and communication

[Reelax]

It’s always great to see how many folks keep their boats ready all winter and still troll when the conditions are right. Safety when the waters temps are down is critical, as it is easy to forget how dangerous being in a boat 5 miles from land in 36 deg water really is…

Safety in numbers always feels
Good in winter!

I’ll be posting before I launch this winter with location and dates to try to have other people feel confident that there will be support boat on the lake if they venture out.

Anyone who wants to chime in here to let the fleet know they are still fishing is welcome.
I know of 4-5 boats still fishing right now but would like to ensure there is atleast one other boat out every time I launch. (Never possible all winter)

VHF CH 68 is also a great thing to have on all day. If a boat has an issue the quickest way to let the fleet know your in distress is a clic of the mic. And I am sure the Coastguard in Burlington is always monitoring the lake’s radio signals, so we have a backup if god forbid we ever need them….

(Be great to hear them chime I here)

So… I am fishing on the 27th. Looks like we have a window of beautiful days coming right after Christmas and the 27th is sunny and calm. location TBD, but I will be chasing salmon on the 27th… somewhere… most likely far south

Who else is in??

It’s on! The best salmon fishing of the year is here… Hope everyone is safe and healthy right thru till spring!!!!

Here is a video of what it can be like!!

https://youtu.be/6rgAlZRDNaE?si=IoHTg3yCU1IC1aRr

Fish on!!!

[Mistress]

I plan on fishing that Friday as well and made some guards out of SCH 40 PVC pipe to protect my trailer lights from ice damage while launching, we'll see how well they work. I also reached out to Lucas from Green Mtn Marine to see if he was going to be working out of the Sandbar (Guilmette) launch and he will be back but not until later and his work boats will certainly keep the ice busted up for us! Hopefully it doesn't lock up too hard in the interim, time will tell!

[raz]

Such a mass of fish in that video...What a riot!

[Gecha (Gerry)]

YES, it really happened.
I remember that video very well. It was such a memorable day in Fishville with 2 great friends.
Thanks for sharing.

[striper192001]

Good luck Matt........I am away until Dec 29

Merry Christmas everyone !!

[digitroll (ron)]

Great Idea! I will post before going out if a window is seen! I missed 2 months but we had a great February and March of 2024!

[digitroll (ron)]

Very favorable winds and window end of the month:

[dry net]

Can't wait till I can fish on weekdays.

[Reelax]

Can't wait till I can fish on weekdays.

How soon? Always good to have weekday fisherman contact info…

[dry net]

Can't wait till I can fish on weekdays.

How soon? Always good to have weekday fisherman contact info…

About 10 years, you guys make me wicked jealous!!!

[Reelax]

Just to keep everyone updated. It is Looking so cold on the Friday the 27th I am now currently planning to swap date to 28th when it will start 10 deg warmer.

The boat woulda froze to the trailer tomorrow morning and taking launch time waiting for the trailer to drop off the boat under water is boring. (Haven’t treated the bunks yet this year)

South wind Saturday should make for a great salmon chop. Just need to decide location.

Anyone else fishing?

Fish on!

[nhjim]

fished today out of converse ramp in good shape. broke some ice right on the ramp that had built up a burm for little smoother access. bay was free of ice. lakers and a few salmon mixed in.

[Mistress]

I plan on launching from Converse this Sat morning around daybreak (7:00 ish). Will have radio on ch 68 if anybody else is out and will be more than happy to share any silver hot spots if we find ‘em.
Pat

[digitroll (ron)]

Good luck Pat and others! I plan on Tuesday to launch out of Converse 7 am. New Year's Eve. Weather looks crappy Monday/Wednesday with lots of rain and then cold again for a stretch Thursday - next weekend. My criteria..... Lows upper 20's and temps above 32F... Clear roads / parking lot / ramp. / no precipitation / wind. No more than 1/2" of ice to break if the bay freezes overnight. Not a lot of days that fit this criteria but a few years ago we fished most of January and 6-7 times in February.

[Reelax]

Change of plan… after looking at the weather we are now going to launch from the Champlain bridge on the VT side. It will be a south blow all day and fishville and beyond will be best accessed from that spot. Long drive, but an investment in cold weather safety.

Sounds like both Mistress and Reelax will be out from the bridge Saturday looking for silver, chrome, and golden browns:)

Who else is gonna come out and play? Chessieman? Country angler? The Master? Surprise? Instagator? Fathead? Homewrecker? Digitroll?

Road will be dry for the tow…

Fish on!