twfitw
Well-known member
OK, so the anticipation is driving me crazy... and for now it is not actually the impending open water season here in Saskatchewan, I received a notification from my father-in-law that really got me excited, then nervous, then curious... let me explain...
Just short of a year ago I posted my first report here on NAFFF http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/coldwater-fly-fishing/13771-one-small-fish.html#post91758 . This was a big day for me me as I caught my first fish on fly in Canada in my own pond... Now through the course of 2011 things didn't go according to plan and I was unable to get my pond aerated and it is HIGH on my priority list for this year. So the water is now frozen and the question that is sitting on my mind is, will the fish survive the winter... So I bring this poll to help me pass the days until I can see...
Here are the facts:
The dugout was originally stocked with 100 fingerlings, it can support +-250 fish
I harvested some fish in the fall so I estimate a winter population of +-65 fish
The fish at freeze-up ranged from 12"-16"
The dugout it 12-14ft deep
Last year it froze at capacity and therefore hit it's max depth
The dugout is fed by an underground spring
And that really is what gives me the most hope... I found out yesterday that there is some open water on this pond while ever other body of water still has 2ft of ice on it, it appears as though the spring is forcing the ice off in a hurry... with the forecast this week bring some above freezing temperatures I am really hoping to be able to cast a line and attempt to discover if my fish have survived. Oh man, the questions I have, will I be flogging dead water, or will I have the opportunity to fish for some beasts pushing 20" this year? So please, as much as it won't help my anxiety I would appreciate it if you could join me on this journey...
Are they still there?
Just short of a year ago I posted my first report here on NAFFF http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/coldwater-fly-fishing/13771-one-small-fish.html#post91758 . This was a big day for me me as I caught my first fish on fly in Canada in my own pond... Now through the course of 2011 things didn't go according to plan and I was unable to get my pond aerated and it is HIGH on my priority list for this year. So the water is now frozen and the question that is sitting on my mind is, will the fish survive the winter... So I bring this poll to help me pass the days until I can see...
Here are the facts:
The dugout was originally stocked with 100 fingerlings, it can support +-250 fish
I harvested some fish in the fall so I estimate a winter population of +-65 fish
The fish at freeze-up ranged from 12"-16"
The dugout it 12-14ft deep
Last year it froze at capacity and therefore hit it's max depth
The dugout is fed by an underground spring
And that really is what gives me the most hope... I found out yesterday that there is some open water on this pond while ever other body of water still has 2ft of ice on it, it appears as though the spring is forcing the ice off in a hurry... with the forecast this week bring some above freezing temperatures I am really hoping to be able to cast a line and attempt to discover if my fish have survived. Oh man, the questions I have, will I be flogging dead water, or will I have the opportunity to fish for some beasts pushing 20" this year? So please, as much as it won't help my anxiety I would appreciate it if you could join me on this journey...
Are they still there?