Ice Fishing The Winnipesaukee Derby, Placed In 2 Categories (Pics&Video)

[The Hairy Beast]

Every year a bunch of the Beast’s old High School buddies gather to fish the Winni Ice Derby out of Meredith New Hampshire. Top prize for a tagged Rainbow Trout is a boat, but there are categories for Laker, Cusk and such too. There are daily prizes for tagged and untagged fish as well. This year we managed to place in two: 2nd for Lakers and 10th for untagged rainbow. A taste:



This was our home base – our host’s summer lakefront home. We basically fished in his front yard:


Saturday morning was brutally cold and overcast, we were up at first light setting up traps and tip-ups:


Got the heat going in the shanty:


Craig started setting up for breakfast:




The Beast’s son was not impressed with the ambient temps out there, note the reproachful teenager glare:


While the hardier souls set out the traps:




Breakfast was fried sausage, bacon, eggs, potatoes and english muffins. By the time we got back we were ready for something hot in our stomachs. Coffee with Baileys hit the spot too.




Sunup took a bit of the edge off.



The girlfriends showed up after a bit. Women are not allowed to stay over, but they can visit during the day. Strict rule: NO WIVES!


We had a bonfire the night before and there were a few who opted to stay in the bunkhouse a bit longer than others.


Then we waited, eagle-eyed for the first flag (we got a bit pie-eyed after we broke into the Captain Morgans).



We even had a horseshoe pit on the ice, as well as a hockey rink.


And other distractions for the kids, including this novel idea: a shopping cart on skis.


There were Perch aplenty.


And early Cusk


Late morning, our wait was rewarded! The next generation tied into a fine 3.4 pound untagged Rainbow! Here’s the video – warning, f-bomb alert!



This fish did get us on the boards, but only 10th place. But we were happy.


Lunch was handmade venison sausage and pepper subs.



Later afternoon we played liar’s poker and waited. Only perch from then on.


But we had fun anyway



Then it was back to our humble base-camp for a dinner of pasta with red sauce made from venison sausage and ground beef and black bear meat.


Sunday morning some people had to leave early. Those who stayed were rewarded, though. Craig set up a jigging spot and nailed a beautiful Laker.

Before…


After:



That fish got him second place. We took off around three and the Beast had his first shower in two days. Thanks to our host and everybody who worked so hard to make this weekend so memorable! Tight lines, all!