New Jersey has seen better ice fishing seasons than this years most recent encounter, so a few friends and I took it upon our selves to search for some thicker ice and bigger prizes for our efforts. Brant Lake, New York seemed the perfect destination since the season up North has shown some record crappies and a few notable 25+ inch trout. Gear loaded, extra wood piled high in the truck, a nice stash of our favorite beer and the only obstacle holding us back is the 4 hour drive to icy heaven. New York, here we come.

Arrive to the cabin around 7:30 am and we waste no time to set-up camp and head straight for the ice. Not a soul in sight as a light snow starts to trickle over the mountains heading our way. We promptly shovel out an area on the lake about 25 foot by 20 foot to help some light seep into the dark depths of the deep lake. Out comes my brand new auger and within 20 seconds we have our first hole. Everyone thought I was mad that I said the ice was about 14 inches thick but cut through it so fast, so like always, I attempted to prove them wrong!

5 holes dug out, Augers baited and set, fire pit ablaze with 4 chairs surrounding it, and the sound of the first beer is heard being cracked open in the background. Icy bliss has finally been obtained for 3 young fishermen.

Hours pass by and a buzz starts to set in and to our surprise we still haven’t had a bite. Not even a false alarm to get our hopes up and our blood pumping, but never the less our spirits stay high. Throw the burgers on the grill, grab the extra case and toss a few extra logs onto the pit. Fire pit cookin, bellies are filled with some good grub and a few old frosty friends and we are thinking about calling it a night just as a tip-up shoots into the air. Beers into the air as we take off towards the line as it’s tearing out at a hundred miles an hour. Hours of torment and nothing to show for it are finally over as we slowly fight this fish and let it play to us. Around the lip of the hole now and I am wondering whether or not the hole is big enough to fit this behemoth out! Luckily it fit just out perfectly as our jaws dropped. Out comes a 28 inch beauty of a trout!

Busted phone, broken laptop, but one hell of a fish caught = One perfect weekend for a lifelong angler!

The ice fishing season may be over for Ice Fishing, but the MKFF crew is concentrating on a few trips this season that you all can look forward to. From New Jersey to Utah, Colorado to the Bahamas, you can count on us sharing each story as they arive. Fish on folks, and always remember to start “Rippin’ lips from Stream to Stream!”