Lake Riding??
 

Anyone been riding on the lake recently?? Just wondering how bad it is as I have not been out for almost two weeks now.

Plan on fishing this weekend and want to take out sleds and tracked Ranger. My home overlooks the Ellacoya side of the lake and I have not seen anyone out there riding whatsoever!! Just want to know what I am in for before venturing out...

Thanks!!

Dan

Lake riding
 

My wife and I went out on the lake between Melvin Village and 19 mile bay this afternoon. There were many drifts. With the new snow it actually was fun. Like floating in a cloud. We didn't see any snowmobile tracks. Talked to snowmobilers at Pine Cone last night before the snow we got and they said riding wasn't good too many drifts. They additional snow must have helped. Have fun!

Dan:

If you get out there this weekend please post some photos. I always enjoy your fishing pictures. have fun!!

Will do!

Thanks!!

How is it out tbere Dan?

We did about 110 miles today....19 mile bay to North Conway and back. The worst part was the ride across the ice to Melvin Village! Trails were in great condition........lake, not so much!

Not Bad
 

Not as bad as I thought it would be. You can actually walk across the top of the snow, at least you could yesterday. It's a bumpy ride because of the many drifts but no problems getting around with sleds whatsoever. The tracked ranger hit a couple good slush spots between islands and slowed it down considerably but never got close to getting stuck.

Fishing was a little slow yesterday but we managed to catch 6 lakers.

I'll post some pics a little later on this afternoon.

Dan

Is this one of you posing for the WeirsCAM this morning?

Here you go secondcurve!

Sorry for the blurred background but just trying to keep a very quiet fishing spot quiet...

Dan

Here's Hailey the guard dog!

Ranger ice fishing machine...

21" lake trout... Please note what's called the "the fishermans stretch" making the fish appear 3 feet long!! It takes a lot of practice to perfect this move!:):)

Sure were lucky...
 

Those low clouds could have moved in and you would never find your back. :laugh:

Don't blame you for trying to keep a secret place secret.:)

A typical Winni 19" cookie cutter laker...

We do eat good at the bob house. On the menu this day was marinated bison tips!! They were awesome. That's my friend who does most of the cooking. He does a great job!

Just a shot showing that you can walk on the snow, or at least you could yesterday....

Thanks Dan. Awesome photos as usual. You have all the toys to maximize the experience!

nice dan! i haven't been out since the derby because of all the snow. hoping for a warm stretch and maybe a little rain to compress the snow down some.

love that ranger.. always wanted one of those. what do you have for sleds? i'm toying with the idea of getting a 2nd one, a rev chassis skidoo, but i've never ridden one. some people say they take time to get used to.

Some slush
 

On Sunday, the warm day last weekend, my sled started bogging down pretty good in slush, near Smith Cove (in M'boro bay). I gunned it and didn't get stuck, but there were a few interesting moments. Other places that I've been on the lake have been fine.

There was a lot of slush around last weekend. We were in and out of it everywhere we went Melvin thru Wolfeboro.

Hey DT!

I have a Ski Doo Renegade Adrenaline 600 HO Etec, which is on a REV XP platform. It is the best sled I have ever owned! It's a great trail sled, lightweight and nimble and gives a great ride with tons of power to spare. Starts right up without hesitation even after sitting all summer and fall. When and if it ever dies, I would get another in a heartbeat!

My backup or loaner sled is a Ski Doo MXZ 550 Fan. Good, simple dependable sled but simply doesn't compare to the Etec.

Most Ski Doo sleds put the rider in a more forward and upright position and yes it does take a little getting used to but not that long! I always thought the lounge chair approach I had with my previous Arctic Cats was best until I bought a Ski Doo. I can ride a lot longer on the trails with the Ski Doo than I could on any of my Cats. For me anyway, the Ski Doo is a way more comfortable ride. To each his own I guess.

Dan

that's exactly one of the machines i had in mind, minus the etec, i think those newer etec ones are out of my price range. i was thinking 04-06/07, either the 600ho or the 500ss (same 600 motor). what year is yours? do you know if the renegade has a longer track vs. the other models (gsx,x, etc)? a longer track machine might be useful on the lakes with all the deep powder. definitely want electric start and reverse too, i know some models don't come with that.

right now i have an 01 ac panther 440 2-up. nice machine, great fishing rig and fun on the trails too. i'll bring my 7 yr old daughter out with me sometimes, she loves it. solo riding, it's not bad. it does a decent job, but i find myself often wishing i had a little more power and better handling. it does ride nice though, and it stays on top of the deep, virgin stuff pretty well. but those revs seem to have quite a following.

oh, btw.. i found a couple jig boxes. should arrive today or tomorrow.

I think my Etec is a 2009 and my 550 a 2008 or 2009...can't remember.

I believe Renegades can come with a longer track. Mine is not a long track. While a longer track will certainly give you a smoother ride, don't get hung up on it and refuse a good short track sled. My sleds go just fine in the deep fluffy snow that is on the lake. If you can find a good used, low hour, 600 Etec, I would jump on it. I would stay away from a used 800 Etec however.

Dan

yeah i don't want an 800.. that motor seems to be hit or miss reliability wise. plus, the trails that i ride are pretty tight in spots. you can't really go over 40 or 50 mph tops so i don't need that much power anyway. a 136" track would be nice, but i wouldn't not buy a machine if it had a shorter track. i don't know if i'll do anything this year.. there's still plenty of riding left but prices seem to still be a their peak right now. lots of people looking to get $4500 for a $3000 sled. tough to find a lower mileage one too, say under 3k miles, or one that hasn't been modified or molested by previous owners. i would want a basically stock sled, not something that's been hot rodded etc.

i know where you are nice place for big fish all year round