Thursday's near-epic adventure, and Ice Conditions Report

passthepitonspete · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2002 1:05 pm

OK boys, I'm back.

And it is too soon to quit!

Last year, we fished til December 22nd. You can click here to see that the forecast for Thursday and Friday looks mild.

Someone pul-LEE-yuz tell me if there is some way we can launch!

Options include McFarland's Conservation Area, which is about three miles east of Picton on the south side of the bay, or else taking the Glenora Ferry across to the east side [near Adolphustown] and launching at the boat ramp there.

Has anybody personally seen the bay recently? You would be surprised how long you can fish open water after Picton Harbour freezes shut.

I am the die hard of die hards, and I sure as hell have the will.

But can anyone please suggest a way?

Cheers,

'Pass the Pitons' Pete

haybay larry · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2002 5:19 pm

Pete the i am sure with the weather wed-4 degrees,thursday 5 degrees that you will be able to launch from the east ferry ramp. By friday any ice that had previously formed should be gone. I also hope to make it out later this week. Good luck!...Larry

steve dover · **Joined:** Mon May 13, 2002 5:18 am **Posts:** 65

there is no chance of fishing further this year no matter how much you want to! but since you asked if you are at conservation ramp before daylight on sat you may be able to get out with some help etc.

passthepitonspete · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2002 9:36 pm

Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!! [Diabolical Dr. Evil laughter]

Talk about two opposite opinions, eh?

OK boys, let's duke it out here......am I gonna make it, or not?

Does anybody have any recent first-hand ice observations?

This is certainly the topic of Greatest Interest.

Note: It is possible to fish the Bay LONG after most people tell you you can't. If anyone knows, it's me - a guy who has made a career out of doing things people tell me I can't do!

One time a few years ago I drove three hours to Quinte in a blinding snowstorm, drove down to McFarland's which was a quarter-mile on the good side of the ice line, took the 135-pound car topper off the van, launched it myself, and fished for hours in a blizzard. I think I caught five that night.

I finally bailed when the snow was a foot deep, and even then I wasn't sure I could lift the boat back on the van myself, though somehow I managed.

Like I usually do.

So do tell, eh?

steve dover · **Joined:** Mon May 13, 2002 5:18 am **Posts:** 65

just between you and me, the strong winds blew out the ice to the edge of the harbour, and the ramp at conservation area and road to it is in decent shape so if you venture down you shouldn 't be disappointed but the key is to trust your graph because they weren't easy to catch last weekend...

targa2 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2002 9:45 pm

The true diehards are the ones who drive 1.5 hours to Picton just to see if the water is open without taking a boat with them. All this in hopes that we may go out on Sunday.For gods sake you can't even get reliable info from guys who are obviously locals. Makes me sick.Anyway we were rewarded for the extra effort no thanks to anyone on this board so if you want to get in some action boys take a drive and take your chances.

PS. I was out on Dec 26th last year. The water was freezing before our eyes. You could see your planers cutting through a thin skim of ice every now and then.You may be diehards but I am King Diehard.

PS 2. We went down the weekend after Dec 26th last year to try again only to get cut off from open water by 15 inches of snow.

Superdad · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2002 9:54 pm

The 'Locals' like Hay Bay Larry live a 35 minutes drive to the Ferry dock, so I don't think it's fair to knock the 'Locals' for not advising the situation.

I don't believe there are many who read the board who reside in Picton and who could advise the exact nature of teh Conservation Launch site.

People are trying their best to advise from they see in front of them, sorry if it happens to be 15 miles away.

Just a comment on the "locals"

passthepitonspete · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:01 pm

Unfortunately, I live three hours' drive from the Bay, and I value very much the information we share. I find the more I give, the more I get. Besides, none of us is dumb enough to keep those big fish we catch this time of year, anyway.

I've spoken to the guy at Glenora Marine in the past, and he was helpful in terms of telling me what the ice conditions were like this time of year. He did a good job of fixing my outboard a couple years ago, too.

Anyone know the phone number to the Glenora Ferry? Maybe those guys can see the boat ramp on the east side?

If you want to know from die hards, you can click here to read about my sixteen day solo ascent of a three-thousand-foot high granite big wall.

I don't know if this makes me a Real Die Hard, or if it makes me just plain stupid.

Perhaps some of each.

steve dover · **Joined:** Mon May 13, 2002 5:18 am **Posts:** 65

much appreciated, but its like weather reports it is great if the reality is more favourable then the report, noone is killing the messanger in this case, we all appreciate your posts, it is just in fun....

Pugsli · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2002 5:19 am

For what it is worth I was passing by Quinte on business early Monday (Dec. 9th) morning and detoured off to Shermans Point boat launch, it was frozen over right across to Thompsons point. I do not think it was too thick(wishful thinking) but you could certainly not launch a boat, pretty neat hearing the ice forming, the constant moaning and creaking was really impressive. I have to go to Picton tonight so I will check out the launch at Glenora and report.

kking · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2002 9:19 am

We went out from Glenora ferry. I would think the conservation area is closed. It was cold. We had one at 8lbs and missed three. ( I don't know how they get off 3 x treble hooks)

We fished in front of the cement factory.

There was 4 other boats out there...Mostly fishing the Q4 marker.

You will more than likely need 4 x 4 to get in and out.

Call Kevin at Merlands if you want to know whats what...He was the only operator that I called that could get us on the water.

613-476-6894

Thanks Kevin...See you this winter.

Regards...Marty the Kawartha King...LOL

passthepitonspete · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2002 10:38 am

Thanks guys.

Please keep those cards and letters coming!

The current plan is for me and my dad to go fishing this Thursday December 12. It's a long drive for us, so any info y'all can send in the meantime is much appreciated.

[Did I really write "y'all"?? Sheesh. Too much caving in Kentucky, huh?]

Anyway, you can click here to see that milder weather is being forecast.

Keep us posted, eh?

Cheers,

Pete

P.S. Did I really write "huh"??

Sheesh.

Dan · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:55 am

I was just talking to a guy who works right at Glenora ferry. From his window everything is open with some ice along the shoreline . The launch at Glenora Ferry on North side is good. I will be giving it a whirl on sunday morning. Who's bringing the coffee???

harrison · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2002 12:03 pm

Pete, wasn't it you and the old boy out a couple of years ago around this time of year with a stringer of 10+ pound eye's and a pike to match. If I recall they were laying on the grass. at the picton launch for all to see. But no one would keep fish at this time of year.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2002 12:58 pm

......looks like it's time to take of the gloves

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Thursday's near-epic adventure, and Ice Conditions Report

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