Ice Fishing 2009

It is a Jensen family tradition to go ice fishing over President's Day weekend each year. Let's just say I am not a fan. I am not a big fan of fishing in general. Add in the fact that you have to sit out in the cold and very rarely do we ever even catch anything and it's just not for me. The first year we were married we went to Fish Lake. I was stuck inside building a scaled model for school the entire time but I didn't really mind. It got me out of sitting in the cold waiting for a stupid fish to take my bait. The next year we went to Flaming Gorge. The next year I humored Travis and bought a license and spent the day on the ice (I don't think I even put my line in the water once). Last year I got out of going entirely. So this year I made the trip up to the Gorge but decided I was just going to stay at the trailer the day they went fishing and watch the NASCAR race ( I know I'm a total hick but it was Daytona and I really like it). So you will not see me in any of the pics but it was a fun trip and Travis caught two Berbots. Trav's mom Paula was so excited. She had been talking all weekend about these fish that look like green eels but tasted just like lobster. She was determined to catch one. They waited until we got to Salt Lake to clean them though so they'd have running water. Because the fish were frozen, Trav had to soak them in water before they could be cleaned. When he took them out of the water there was a huge string of slime attached to fish that made Trav gag. The slim made it difficult to clean and Rick had a disgusted look on his face the entire time. After they got all the meat off my husband thought it would be cool to see what was in their stomachs. So he cuts it open and out comes an entire fish! Yuck!! Satisfied by his discover, Trav then stuffs the fish back in the stomach and then stuffs the entire thing back in the fish. Why? I have no idea. Needless to say none of us are too excited to taste the fish after the cleaning experience. So much for "the poor man's lobster." Here's Trav with is first catch of the day. (I think this is the first fish I've seen anyone catch at the Gorge. I was convinced they didn't exist there. Burbots aren't native there though so they don't count)

Paula and Katlin and Taz. Don't they look like they are having a blast. It was a warm day though so they didn't even put up the ice hut.

Trav's dad Rick.

Here's the view on the way out. Notice the "I Love You" heart the Kat, Lindsey, and Rick made in the snow since it was also Valentine's weekend. AAWWW!!