Last month Ashton mentioned ice fishing as a possible birthday adventure. Sounds fun, right?
Quick google search, followed by a phone call to Big Ed’s & our reservation on Dillon Reservoir was set.
Woke crazy early on Saturday – sure it’s snowing, but we’re scheduled to be on a frozen lake by 9am.
Unfortunately, our state’s only east-west through-way, I-70, was operating at a standstill – multiple accidents. 3 hours later, highway closed just past Georgetown. ARGH! Plan B? Enjoyed breakfast at the Happy Cooker & rescheduled for ice fishing Sunday.
Day 2, another early start. Arrived in plenty of time to help our guide set-up & drill holes with an electric ice auger. 4 feet of solid ice, fluffy snow & sunshine. Beautiful lake, beautiful day.
Fishing Guide Randy started us out with jigs, then bait. Salmon eggs. Two nibbles but never a real bite. Ash, our experienced fisherwoman, dropped line & soon after snagged a small rainbow trout.
An hour later, a 2nd trout (which she threw back). And a third which jumped line after cresting the surface.
Ashton 3, everyone else ZERO. Runner-up honors to Tom who reeled in at least 4 yard-long sticks. AND special thanks to Matt who chauffeured us cross state – not once, but twice.
Ended the day with Randy talking up Ashton – and only Ashton – on fly fishing this summer, while the rest of us stood around hoping to be included. LOL>
Sunshine, snow & 3 fish — what’s not to love? Ice fishing in the Rockies, highly recommended 🙂
UPDATE:
Later I prepared Ash’s catch while everyone was showering. HUGE FAN of rainbow trout! Tay-stee 🙂
CLICK to WATCH ‘Ice Fishing (Dillon Reservoir, CO)’
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- I-70 closed: no Saturday ice fishing
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- downtown Georgetown
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- Plan B — breakfast & hot drinks at the Happy Cooker
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- BUFFALO!
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- Day 2 – Dillon Reservoir
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- electric ice augers ROCK!
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- laddling ice & snow from our fishin’ hole
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- drop the line ’til it hits lake bottom
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- switched from jig to bait
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- in a pinch, use salmon eggs
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- first strike?
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- fisherwoman & her catch
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- err…catches
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- Ash 3, everyone else — ZERO
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- tasty rainbow trout – thanks Ash!
Happy 24th Ash!
Enjoyed getting to share your big day in Colorado 🙂
UPDATE (Mar 10th): Happy 29th Tommy W!
Shamrock Shake tradition
8 days after Austin – my first run.
Knees felt a little stiff – but motivated & ready to turn around my marathon results. I came back from Austin feeling a bit defeated. My worst marathon time since last June in Alaska. I inwardly & outwardly wore the Texas humidity.
Additionally my weight is up 7 lbs. Not horrible – I’ve been enjoying Ashton’s home cooking – but starting to feel sluggish.
So…for 30 days – before my Atlanta marathon – going to improve my nutrition plan & renew focus on Ironman training.
6 days a week minimum, I will swim, bike or run.
Sunday (after church) was cycling practice — Day 1. Indoor on a stationary bike, completed 20 miles. Can’t imagine biking 112 miles (that’s another 92 miles) in only 6 months time. Jeez, seems overwhelming.
Nutrition plan – gonna add more spinach & kale to my daily meal plan, drink no less than 8 bottles of water & sleep no less than 6 hours daily. Failed Thursday, Friday & Sunday. Putting it down in print – gonna stick to the plan.
Training Progress:
Tuesday – swim (45 laps – half my Ironman distance)
Wednesday – spin class at lunch (bike)
Thurs – swim/bike (45 laps & another spin class)
Friday – swim (55 laps)
Saturday – swim/bike (45 laps & another spin class)
Sunday – bike 20 miles indoor (first time hitting 20 miles)
Monday – treadmill run, 6 miles at lunch
Go big or go home. I’m committed, I can do this.
