02-14-2004, 03:43 AM
Went to the Berry early this morning. Got there at 7:00 a.m. and was welcomed with -18 degrees. Fortunately the wind wasn't blowing and I was dressed and prepared for the cold. Fished the area between East & West Chicken Creek accessable from the road that takes off south down the road to Chicken Creek West. I didn't know thay were plowing it. I was pretty much alone except for two other groups of two. I took everyone's advice and fished shallow to catch the big bows. Fishing was a little slower than usual but the fish were much bigger. Caught a number of large cutts, two of which were pushing 22" and were built like the big bows, wide & thick. Had lots of hits on chartruse foxyjigs with a meal worm fishing in 10'-14' of water. Tried it deeper with minimal success. Lost a lot of fish including a couple of bows right at the hole. Caught one nice 21" bow for dinner and he was not nearly as wide or deep as the other two cutts I released. Go figure. So far this year in four trips this is only the second keeper and the first rainbow. That's ok though, its a hoot to catch & release the slot cutts. Headed up on Monday with a bunch of friends to try it again. Oh, by the way, there is about 20" of good solid ice, no slush, at least were I was, and about 8" of hard crusty snow on top. With all the cold, the surface is firmed up really nice so ATV's might do ok for those of us going up Sunday or Monday, but don't hold me to that. Strawberry is a big place and conditions can vary a lot.
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