The Alternative to Work: Lake Trout

My friend and I decided to skip a day of work for some ice fishing. We thought the weather warming up would help the lake trout bite, and we were right. I was sitting over 90 feet of water while jigging my tube at 70 feet. As I watched my fish finder, I noticed a mark come off the bottom, locking on my jig like a smart bomb, quickly rising towards my offering. I anticipated the strike perfectly as the fish slammed my tube like a freight train, I set the hook. Head shakes and a drag ripping battle ensued. With the swivel to my leader finally coming up to the surface I knew it was just under the 24 inches of ice I was standing on. I peered into the 10 inch hole to see nothing but the side of an enormous lake trout. No head... no tail...nothing but the side. I almost passed out with excitement. I carefully turned the fish and led the head into the hole, guiding to the surface. The fish nearly filled the entire diameter of my ice hole. I could barely contain myself, my buddy helped to get a estimated length measurement with an ice ladle, took some quick pictures, and I lowered the giant back to the hole. The fish was held, revived, and released with a strong kick. I love Alaska, especially when I am not at work.