Ice fishing Flaming Gorge, Wyoming Feb. 13-24, 2019 PART ONE

[Mahigeer]

Ice fishing Flaming Gorge, Wyoming Feb. 13-24, 2019 PART ONE

I wanted to post both parts at the same time, but with Fred Hall Show coming and a trip to Catalina for a last lobster outing, it is going to take a while to finish the part two.

Therefore, here is the part one, and in a week or so I will post the second one.







This was my second trip this year for ice fishing.
If you have read my previous reports (if not, why??), you should be familiar with the name--Jim.
He and his friend live in Utah.

He has been telling me about the Flaming Gorge Reservoir which is in upper Utah and lower Wyoming.

Some videos by others about Flaming Gorge for your viewing pleasure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOMPNOYgq94
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ETEYO-VvM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KruN1SCj33U

So, I decided to make a dedicated trip to Flaming Gorge Reservoir only.
It was an adventure, and since it is reported chronologically, please wait till the end to read a mishap that……………. well you have to wait.

I hope you enjoy once more my travel log.



CURSE OF THE EAST BOUND INTERSTATE (80) FREEWAY:
My initial plan for this trip was to go to Fresno, California, to visit my friend Ken Jones. The original Pier Rat.
A day trip to a local National forest was planned too.


Then visit my College roommate, who got my phone number after many years of not contacting each other.
My past tries had failed, but somehow he had found me. He lives in Sacramento.

Thus, plan was to visit him after Fresno and then stay overnight in Reno, Nevada. Then continue to Salt Lake City, Utah and the final destination of Green River, Wyoming.

A couple of days before the trip, I get a call from Ken Jones. He tells me that due to expected big storm on Wednesday there is a good possibility of east bound Interstate (80) freeway getting closed!

Not wanting to take a risk of having to turn back or be delayed (to hotel reservation, snowmobile rental, meeting Jim), I decided to change routes and go on Interstate Highway (15) via Las Vegas, Nevada. Old hotel reservations were cancelled and new ones were made.

Well, more on that later.




1-First I built a sort of shelve system for the 4Runner to make it easier to remove an item without taking too many other stuff out to get to it.



1.1-The first layer of plywood.



1.2-Protective, double cover over the plywood and basic frame for second plywood.



1.3-Reinforced frame. There will be cross members next year to add more structure under plywood.



2-The sled fits on the bottom and the rest of the item around or on top of it.




The unit worked really well. There was careful consideration to protect the interior of the 4Runner.
After the trip, there will some modifications and of course improvements will be done to make it even better.
My rear sight was completely blocked by gear, but since I had side mirrors, I was legal.
For backup, I had factory installed rear view camera to assist me.


I loaded the 4Runner to the gill and next day I set out for the adventure.






Wednesday, February 13, 2019




3-Leaving Los Angeles in a rainy morning around noon; for a hotel called Casablanca in a town called Mesquite, Nevada.
It was on north bound Interstate (15) freeway via Las Vegas, Nevada.




4-A balmy (52) F degrees upon departure.




5-The first stop was at my newly favorite stop.






6-An interesting sign, I thought




7-Beef and lamb Gyros (pronounced you-ros in Greek), Donner in Turkish, or Shawarma in Hebrew.

Yogurt sauce (Tzatziki in Greek) and rice on the side.



8-I suspect this is the famous Venus.


My last name, Nahid is Persian for Venus…………Go figure!



9-Made a stop as required by all anglers for a short break from driving and to pick up a lantern for night fishing and other items.


I would be staying at the next door hotel on the way back from the trip.



10-Gas price in Nevada. At an Arco gas station never the less. I guess they figure, why casinos should get all your money! In Utah and Wyoming, it was about $2.38/gallon.




Arrived at Casablanca Hotel and Casino for the night after 5:00 PM due to many stops. The town of Mesquite, is at the border of Nevada and Arizona. Due to the shape of the state of Arizona, the Interstate (15) freeway goes from Nevada to a short distance in Arizona and then Utah.

Checked-in and after a change of clothing, headed to the casino for some Black Jack.
Lost some money, but had fun and then went to bed around 2:30 AM!

Did not see Rick!!!






Thursday, February 14, 2019




Left the hotel around 6:30 AM and after many stops I was at Hampton Inn in Green River, Wyoming. My last stop for the duration.




11-It started to rain, while waiting for a few minute in a parking lot for a Best Buy store to open up, in St. George, Utah.




12-Never missed a chance to stop at the Rest Stops along the way. This nice warm and clean one was in Utah.


There were a lot of road signs against driving drowsy. Thus, the rest stops were very useful.



13-First sign of substantial snow in Utah.




14-It rained a lot while traveling from Mesquite, Nevada (about 6:30 AM), to Evanston, Wyoming (about 6:00 PM).


Some of the area that I drove through, did not have snow on the ground. Perhaps due to lower elevations.



15-Once more the snow was seen.




3-Arriving in Provo, Utah.




17-Still not too cold for Utah and Wyoming!




18-Snow pictures for your viewing pleasure.








19-Now that is hard core fishing trip.




20-This was changing of freeways at Park City, Utah to freeway toward Green River, Wyoming.




21-This artistic picture is not intentional. The white and red rectangular shapes are the reflectors on the side of a truck.
You will see a lot of lights further on the left of the picture.



CURSE OF THE EAST BOUND INTERSTATE (80) FREEWAY CONTINUES: Part one
As I drove through town of Evanston, Wyoming and continued on I (80), I noticed something odd.
There were trucks lined up on both side of the freeway for miles.

Then I saw a big lighted sign----“ROAD CLOSED. RETURN TO EVANSTON” and horizontal wood gates blocking the road!
Like the ones on the railroad crossings.
Ohh sh#$$%%%%it.

Apparently the freeway I (80) was closed (12) mile east of Rock Springs due to ……..wait for it.……..storm. Fortunately, Rock Spring is (3) miles east of Green River, Where I was heading to stay.


Then I was approached by two very friendly Highway patrol officers. First one asked me what my license plate; Mahiger (not enough space for 2nd E) meant?
When I told him angler in Farsi, he said his partner is fisherman too.

Well, I told them that I had reservations at Green River, and going ice fishing at Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
To my relief and great surprise, they told me to go ahead. Just zig-zag around the wooden gates.
Later according to the hotel staff, it was the good thing to tell the officers.

The trucks were prohibited to travel east, but cars and anybody going west of closure was allowed to continue.

The road was wide open since only a few passenger cars and only trucks not going past east of Rock Springs were on it. No more rain and clear dry payment.

I was soooooooo glad to finally arrive at the hotel in late hours and be greeted by a very friendly staff.




22-Finally my final destination for this trip in the distance. Pictures taken later in the trip.






23-Dining room and other facilities at the hotel.






Great staff at the hotel and not too bad of continental breakfast each day.



24-With not much difference in room rate, I was able to reserve a suite for four guests. In case Jim and his friends wanted to stay.
They chose to stay at their camper on the reservoir.








25-This nice kitchenette saved me money on meals, as well as provided the convenience of having hot food and beverage any time I wanted.







Friday, February 15, 2019




26-The guys were fishing while I drove (32) miles round trip to and from Rock Spring to pick up the snowmobile.




27-As soon as I got there around 1:00 PM, this first fish was caught by Mr. C. Then the action of catching started.




28-Smiling Jim with his first catch of the day not much later.




29-Two rods are allowed in Utah with no extra fees. Jim like to fish both handed.


In Wyoming six (6) rods are allowed for ice fishing only. No extra stamps needed.



30-The fish closest to the camera was mine. Rest were caught by Jim and Mr. C.




31-These are called “Lakers” or locally “pops”. Only one over 28” maybe kept. There is a limit of (12) for the pops to keep the population in check.




32-These tough guys rather walk and pull their sleds than get a ride on my snowmobile…….most of the time.




33-Mr. C. who caught a lot of fish showing.


Later in the evening he told us his secret. Then I started to catch some too.

As it got dark, we used my newly acquired propane lantern and setup for night fishing for Burbot.



34-After our move to a shallower area, I caught this one. My Elmer Fudd hat was very warm and protected my ears.




Unfortunately, when I reached for the fish gripper that was on a camping table in the tent, it fell right into a hole next to it. Then the forceps followed the fish gripper. In about few seconds, I lost two item from my fishing gear.
THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, ladies and gentlemen. THIS MEANS WAR!!
In the Rapala website, the item is called Floating Fish Gripper. Well, it does not float. Rapala is going to hear from me.

More on that later.



35-This fish is called Burbot (Lota lota). A combination of catfish and eel looking.


From Peterson Field Guide: Similar species, Atlantic Tomcod. Can grow up to 33” long. Lives mostly on upper USA, Canada, Alaska.

From Alaska Department of Fish and Game…… “Many Alaskans consider Burbot to be one of the best tasting fish, rivaling salmon or halibut. The white meat is flaky and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Beer-battered, deep-fried Burbot is a particular favorite among anglers. Download Burbot Recipes (PDF 723 kB), a free ADF&G publication that provides a number of tasty ways to prepare your catch.”

The Burbot is also called Lawyer, lingcod, and lush, for some reason!!



36-A bigger size Burbot. All Burbot must be killed. No C&R for Burbot, perch or Northern pike in Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

To catch Burbot, glow-in-dark lures tipped with sucker fish meat is the best rig. Black light flash lights are best to make the lures glow in dark.

The two “locals” kept catching more Lakers and even I was lucky.

By 9:00 PM, we decided to start packing, when suddenly a serious gust of wind blow one side of the shelter in. We had to grab to the frame of the shelter to keep it from flying away. The three anchors in the ice were definitely not enough to keep it down. We had to quickly remove our gear from inside of the tent to outside in order to collapse it.

Once out of the tent, the wind was manageable and we each packed and went home. They; to the camper and I to my hotel. I was able to leave my sled with them. Thus, no loading and unloading the 4Runner that night and next morning.

One of the hard chores of ice fishing trips for me. Each year I have been figuring how to make it more efficient for the next trip.


The warm room and comfortable bed at the hotel felt great after a bowl of hot soup.






Saturday, February 3, 2019




Next morning, I met the guys who were already catching fish.


37-One of the roads to the reservoir was rough due to snow melting and turning to mud. This was the road to camper, by the reservoir and not the marina.




38-Another bent rod occurrence for Jim.




39-The fish is landed. A new friend of Jim joined us today.






40-Let’s see what is the temperature.



Jim and Mr. C. left in the early afternoon after a fair day of fishing. About three to four hr. drive home.
We said farewell and hope to see each other in Catalina or for ice fishing somewhere.


I stayed with a second friend of Jim who joined us for today. He enjoyed a ride to his car with the snowmobile around 5:00 PM.






Sunday, February 17, 2019




From today, until next Saturday I would be by myself. I would be getting up each day before 6:00 AM to have the complimentary breakfast which was served from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Once more I drove to the Marina, where I would unload the snowmobile and my sled.

The road to the marina passed over a bridge over the Green River.



41-This river is called Green River. The small town that I stayed was named after this river.


After a dam was built, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir was formed.



42-I am not the only crazy guy out there.




43-The ice around the dock in the marina looked dicey!!




44-The minimum required for ice fishing in somewhat comfortable manner is a power auger, shelter, and of course a motorized transportation unit.




45-I drove to the far side of the reservoir, but there was no action.



After no fish on the camera, I decided to find the spot that I lost my fish gripper and forceps and see if I can get them back.
By sheer luck I found the exact spot and setup camp. I setup the jigging Jawjacker and an old fashioned tip–up, so I would have lines in the water.



Saw both items on the underwater camera. The first hole provided access to the bottom and I saw both items.
The black and white fish gripper was easy to spot on the camera, and the forceps was not too far from it.

I got to work and kept drilling holes until I got to straight line above the items. Then I used a heavy lure with treble hook to snag the fish gripper.



46-One in a million shot to recover my fish gripper.


I had a video recording of the snagging, but along with videos of school of fish passing are not in the camera! The files are gone.
Don’t know what happened. May have to do with disc formatting.
I am awaiting a call from the technician at Aqua-Vu.




47-These are remains of two Burbot that we left on ice. Possible last night’s dinners for crows.



I used them to mark the holes for next day, but did not help. Each day I would find the general area, but could not see the forceps. I kept forgetting to take my Garmin GPS unit to mark the coordinates.

I will be back next year. I had already bought another forceps and gripper, but the challenge remains.



48-Not cold enough?







Monday, February 18, 2019




Once more I went to the same spot after seeing on the camera a large school of fish.
I setup the jigging Jawjacker and the tip-up. They always ignored my offerings.



49-Wind that makes the wind chill factor is really brutal.




50-Good thing I had my heater with me. I had stepped in a hole, and my foot was wet up to my right knee.

I even took off my booth so I can dry my feet and sock.



51-This is how I end up protecting my face from the wind while riding the snowmobile. Without it would have felt like a long term ice cream headache.




52-A new toy added this year to my arsenals. One more underwater camera. This one specifically was designed for ice fishing.
It even records. However, some great footage is not accessible as of now. I am trying to get help from the manufacturer.




53-The remotely controlled rotating tripod makes it possible to follow any fish and stop to watch any action.






To be continued, hopefully soon .………..