Idaho: Day 10.

I read with amusement the post from Fred G about his last hunt. In said post he quotes "It's cold, the guy on the radio said it was 28 degrees. Cold." Well I'm here to tell you about cold. Cold is when the same spot you hunted 4 days ago is now complete ice. Cold is when the spot that never freezes over has frozen over. Cold is when the small hole you bashed into the ice in the morning has frozen over in 1 1/2 hours. Cold is when the thermometer in the truck says 6 degrees while you are putting on your waders. You get the idea.

So Dallas and I figured that it would still be okay to hunt the regular spot this morning. After all, it was only 4 days since I slayed there last. We headed out at 5am and when he first started the truck it said -2 but warmed up to the posted +6 by the time we arrived. Even on the walk out we could see how much the lake had frozen over but the spot we hunt is on the inlet from the Coeur d' Alene river and where that water runs in is supposed to be relatively impervious to freeze up. Not only was it frozen but we were able to walk across the inlet to the other side. About 20 yards out there was a patch of less frozen water and we cut a hole into the ice with a big log and threw in 2 blocks. (good job on the set eh? they look super realistic with the keel showing.)

We did a poor job of hiding in the short grass on the point but it didn't matter anyway, nothing flew near us. Must be that with all the lakes and waterways frozen solid the ducks have gone somewhere else. I kind of figured with the conditions it would either be epic or nothing, we got the nothing. So after an hour and a half we pulled it and headed home for the day. Lame!

Unfortunately I think that the season is done at this area of the state. It's not likely that that water will un-freeze anytime soon and without a Coast Guard Cutter we are shut out. Now we must start looking for open water hunting and try to find a spot that allows us get to it without a boat. Good times. So until next time.......

GBCH