Because of the expected storm, I was able to get all my work done Thursday so I could have Friday off. This enabled us to leave earlier than if I had gone to work and get ahead of some of the storm. We left at 11am and after the worst driving we have encountered, arrived in Belleville around 1:30. The first 45min was a slow go doing only 50 km and the fastest we ever got to was 80 km on the 401. Luckily there wasn't tons of traffic. We just kept a steady pace and prayed the off-ramp in Belleville had been cleared as we saw several which had people stuck in plow drifts.
Cheif1011 was going to take us out fishing Friday when we got there but with the crazy drive and high winds and snow, we decided to pass. He and his wife were happy that we did. I love to fish but that was just crazy. We found the closest restaurant to grab lunch and when we finished, had to be pushed out the parking lot as it had not been cleared yet. Thanks to the people that helped us and sorry we didn't get back to buy you a beer. Pizza delivery was in order for dinner as it had been snowing and blowing steadily since we got there.
Met cheif1011 at 6am at Timmy's close by and headed off the the access. No cars there yet, hmmm... One car did arrive while we were getting ready. We both headed off in different directions but were having the same problem. Lots of snow and drifts while pulling a 50lb sled. Some drifts were over 2ft. Cheif1011 said he has never seen this much snow on the bay!! Slow and steady with a few breaks in between we managed to get to a pressure crack, but the spot we wanted was on the other side. We were all exhausted and agreed to stop there. Cheif1011 had the first fish on, a perch and then another. He was marking fish including pike and walleye but they didn't want to bite. He decided to traverse the pressure crack and go find their secret hotspot for our afternoon shift while we kept fishing. I managed to bring in 8 perch with 1 keeper and hubby caught 2 perch with 2 keepers.
If we had know the walk was going to be that bad we would have prepared to be out for the whole day but were not so headed back in for a little rest and some lunch. On our walk back in, it seemed even worse and Cheif1011 decided to head to shore to see if we could cut across someones yard to get to the road which would be much easier walking. Thankfully one of the residents agreed to let us pass and also agreed to let us use his yard for the afternoon trip. It was about 1.5 km out to the spot so any easier walking was welcomed.
We meet up again around 2pm and waited at the access point for a friend of Cheif1011. We had to go even further out this time so was thankful for the shortcut thru the yard. Cheif1011 got a soaker crossing the pressure crack but didn't seem to bother him so we pressed on the the "spot". They used our power auger to make sure we were right on it and then got set up. Cheif1011 got the first fish within 10 minutes which was a nice 5 lbr. Not sure if he can post the picture I took with his camera but it was a nice fish and a good sign. We didn't have any electronics and the other two did. They said as soon as you stop moving the lure, the fish seemed uninterested. We had no nibbles or anything and they kept bringing in the fish. I tried Cheif1011's hole outside but it seemed they disappeared?? Had a couple interested but no bites. It was getting cold once the sun started disappearing so I headed back into the tent and started the heater.
I think about 10 minutes later, FINALLY, a big weight on my line, FISH ON!! Not a big fight since we were only in 14 fow but sure did feel good. Didn't weigh it but guessed about 6lbs. Not bad for my first Quinte gold. It was a little too big to keep so I put it back down the hole.
Maybe another 15-20 minutes later it was starting to get too dark in the hut so I decided to set up a light so we could see our lines. After I finished getting it set up, pulled up on my rod and there it was again... felt like I was snagged on bottom, FISH ON!! This one was definitely bigger. Got it to the hole and hubby had the flashlight on it and Cheif1011 had run to the hut. Got it 1/2 way out the hole and pop, out goes the lure I think I was half stunned at the size of the fish but didn't get down quick enough to grab it and with a couple of tail flaps, back down the hole it goes. We all saw it and Cheif1011 figured it was in the 9 lb range. He tried to dive in to grab it as well but got caught on the door but the heater was right there as well and might not have ended well. Hubby was unable to hook into some gold but was glad that I did.
They stopped marking fish around 6:30 so we headed back in. To our surprise, Cheif1011 and his friend gave us all their fish to limit us out at 6 fish (hubby only has conservation license). We had a great time with him and are grateful what he did for us.
The drive back today was much better and clear sailing but getting home to shovel wasn't very fun. It would have been nice to fish again today but with what we went thru yesterday, we figured we didn't want to do it again. Now I have the ice fishing walleye itch and want to get back up there soon. We'll have to see where we can fit it in but hopefully it won't be too long.
Sunset on Quinte
Bay of Quinte - Feb 9, We had to work for the gold!
