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Date: February 12, 2023 Body of Water: Worthley Pond - Peru, Maine Boat: None, Ice-fishing With: Alone Target: Trout Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Conditions: Clear and generally calm with just a little bit of WSW breeze at times; 19 - 42 degrees. Over a foot of solid ice. My traps were set by 9 AM. It had been a bit of a drive, and I'd gone past many trout opportunities on my way there, but I was set up in a spot for which I had high hopes. This part of Worthley Pond (Peru) offered an inlet stream, a small point, a delta, and a sharp break into the lake's basin. Plus, I'd caught a few trout here on the troll in my late Fall efforts of 2022. Some frozen holes indicated others had thought the same, but I was alone for the day. Other groups were scattered around the lake, but especially clustered around obvious points. My first three holes were concentrated on the most obvious features, and my smelt swam about half-way to bottom in 9, 16, and 25 feet of water. I placed my last two traps to the south and west, with one in just 5 feet and the last in 42 feet. Once again, I was surprised by the lack of action by the time all traps were set. I drilled a few more holes and used the sonar to look for fish. The only sign of life was right along bottom in about 32 feet. I pulled a nearby trap, but these fish did not respond positively to my lure. My next move was to place a smelt in their face, but that never resulted in any action, either. I continued to poke around, adjust and move my traps. From 2 to 40 feet down, I had it covered. I had just moved one trap from the top of the delta to the northern edge when the flag sprang to life. Once again, an active approach on the ice paid off. I was pleased to see line steadily spooling off the trap as I approached. I knelt, grabbed the line and immediately came tight. It wasn't heavy, but I was still happy with landing my targeted quarry, even if it was only 14 inches long. I continued my adjustments and re-located a couple of traps to this area. There was a promising and steep drop-off into 30 feet of water very nearby, and I really believed a smelt hanging there would be very visible. I was visited around 1 PM by a local who was fishing across the lake and to the south. He reported that the lake was typically slow in February, and any action was good action. He'd taken a brookie in shallow water at a stream outlet in the early morning, but had otherwise skunked. He said I was in a good spot, though, as the largest brown he'd ever seen from the lake (13.5 pounds!) was caught where I was set up. (Who knows how long ago?) I wanted more action, but I was more than okay with waiting a big fish out. I made sure my smelt were large and active and let them do their work. Unfortunately, the rest of the day proved to be slow, and I didn't get another flag by the time I left. What do I have to say about this? Yes, it was slow, but that single flag from a small fish made all the difference! I finally caught a Maine trout through the ice. I hope there are many more! Plus, it was a wonderfully comfortable day to simply be outdoors. My local friend also revealed that this is a productive perch lake; that may have been the activity I saw on the sonar. He said they get to a good size, and maybe I'll add some bottom bouncers and Gulp! to the tackle bag when next I visit during the soft water season. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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