1st (Annual?) REFUGE ICE FISHING GATHERING!!

[Fishingnerd33]

It is officially set!! Talked with Andy from the Fish Camp at Big Alkali and it's a done deal!

I have reserved the whole fish camp at Big Alkali for the weekend of January 22nd-24th. The cabins are reserved for the night of the 22nd and 23rd.

As of today, I have 3 one-bed cabins available. Please call me [308-430-2466] or PM me if you need a cabin for the weekend. If you need a cabin, please don't call him directly as he'll tell you it's already reserved for the weekend. If you contact me I will contact him and you'll be set for the weekend.

Each cabin is equiped with a stove, sink, refrigerator, dishes and cooking utensils, beds and linens!
1 Double Bed - $35 per night

If the cabins fill up there are several other options for lodging.

Looking forward to meeting a bunch of you & catching some quality Sandhills fish!!!!

[Harold]

Last time I ice-fished Big Alkali (Jan 2001?) the Camp was closed for the "winter". Of course, access was open to the lake.

Do you know if the "new" operators are open during the winter?

Harold F.

[Fishingnerd33]

Originally Posted by Harold

Last time I ice-fished Big Alkali (Jan 2001?) the Camp was closed for the "winter". Of course, access was open to the lake.

Do you know if the "new" operators are open during the winter?

Harold F.

That I don't know...on their website they said, "Come Stay all year round in one of our rustic cabins!"

I would assume that means they're open during ice fishing...I'll have to call and see sometime today.

[Big Johnson]

I would be interested...
I am new to ice fishing but had such a blast doing it last winter that I can't hardly wait for the ice to set on... I might have a friend or 2 to bring with me if something was put together...

[Fishingnerd33]

Originally Posted by Big Johnson

I would be interested...
I am new to ice fishing but had such a blast doing it last winter that I can't hardly wait for the ice to set on... I might have a friend or 2 to bring with me if something was put together...

Awesome! I'm new to hard water as well, I thought this would be a great way to give us newbies some more experience with the veterans.

Does anyone have any dates that will NOT work? I'd really like to get this on a weekend that the most people can attend.

I'm guessing Dec 25-27 won't be open, I know I'm going to be with family that weekend, but other than that I really don't have anything that is a must.

[Fishingnerd33]

Originally Posted by Harold

Last time I ice-fished Big Alkali (Jan 2001?) the Camp was closed for the "winter". Of course, access was open to the lake.

Do you know if the "new" operators are open during the winter?

Harold F.

From the Big Alkali Fish Camp Website:

The Cabins
"Cabins are by reservation only during the winter season and a 2 night minimum or 2 cabin minimum is required. "

[Harold]

I'm in, Ryan!

You might PM Sandbilly (Your area Ice-fishing EXPERT!) for suggested dates and other EXPERT advice!

Maybe a co-ordinated NEFGA.ORG "annual" Ice-Fishing gathering? Hmmmmm?

Harold F.

[Chen rossii]

Alot will depend on the weather, but a safe bet would be to plan around the middle to end of January. Even up to the 1st week of February would be a safe bet.

[Big Johnson]

FN, you

I'm pretty sure I could fill all for seats in my 4 door Chevy Duramax Diesel... How much would it cost for rooms, and what kind of food preparations would we need?

[Slimdog]

Sounds good to me. I'm in.

Slim

P.S. I would be willing to test the ice, but it will cost you!

[Fishingnerd33]

Originally Posted by Big Johnson

FN, you

I'm pretty sure I could fill all for seats in my 4 door Chevy Duramax Diesel... How much would it cost for rooms, and what kind of food preparations would we need?

Here's some info from the fish camp's website:

Each cabin is equiped with a stove, sink, refrigerator, dishes and cooking utensils, beds and linens!
1 Double Bed - $35 per night
2 Double Beds - $50 per night
4 Double Beds - $85 per night
(tax not included)

RV site - $18 per night
(tax not included)

I stayed in the 1 bed cabin this spring and they're small, but adequate. We just packed food ourselves and did some cooking for breakfast and then ate lunch on the lake and supper back at the cabins again.

I'd say probably everybody would be on their own for the food, no real organization there. Like the info from the website said, everything is included, even a small frying pan.

If we wanted to, we could all head to Valentine for a big meal there one night. Jordan's is great food!!

I'm kinda planning on taking Friday off of work and getting out there to fish Friday afternoon/evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning, then head back to Chadron whenever we do it.

[Evenflow]

Sounds like fun, I might be interested. I'll bet we could fill all of those cabins if something gets put together.

[BowFisher]

I'd be up to it. I have more equipment than one person can use. If someone would like to attend that doesn't have tip ups or jigging poles but would like to experience ice fishing let me know. You're always welcome around my holes.

Jerry

[Big Johnson]

Sounds great; just need a date...

[Chuck_Tritz]

let me know a date for sure, i think i could fill 2 double bed cabin for a weekend...

[Fishingnerd33]

We'll keep talking it out for a while and then maybe set a date by Wednesday or Thursday of this week if possible.

Once the date is set, we can start reserving the cabins, hopefully they'll have enough for all of us going. From the sounds of it, we'll be filling it up quick!!

So far these are the members who have expressed interest.

Big Johnson - 4 double bed cabin (4 people)
Harold
Slimdog
Evenflow
BowFisher - no cabin
Chuck_Tritz - 2 double bed cabin (4 people)
missbossy
wneb.fisher \ 1 double bed cabin (1 person)
Fishingnerd33 / (2 people)
August - 4 double bed cabin (1st preference on 4 bed cabin)
BPBowhunter – no cabin
rippin_lips – no cabin
Outdoor_Joe_26 – (1 person)
MA Machine – no cabin
luvistall – no cabin
live2fish
camps764
DonW – 2 double bed cabin (2 people)
24 HUNTER
hankthecrank
firewxman
1tohuntandfish - no cabin
Huskeron - no cabin

QUESTION:

To those who are interested and are looking for a date for the trip. Are you available all of the weekends, or do you have specific weekends that won't work?

I'm waiting to hear back from a couple members who have more insight to that than I do, but right now I'm thinking about one of the following weekends:


January 8-10
January 15-17
January 22-24
January 29-31

[wneb.fisher]

You know I'm in, considering I am storing most of your stuff now. I think the best would be mid to late January. Definately a weekend.

Great idea Ryan. Now I really can't wait for hard water!

[Fishingnerd33]

Originally Posted by wneb.fisher

You know I'm in, considering I am storing most of your stuff now. I think the best would be mid to late January. Definately a weekend.

Great idea Ryan. Now I really can't wait for hard water!

I figured you'd be up for it. I'm so ready to get out and freeze my butt off!!

[Big Johnson]

FN,

Put me in for a 4 man cabin...
I talked to Rangerman, Papaw t, and my neighbor Mike... Three of us for sure are in and the 4th will no more later this week... I will check with the guys on what dates would best suite them. I am more inclined to say the 3 to the 4 weekends for myself but will work with what ever...

[Chuck_Tritz]

I'm good for any weekend, Im pretty sure I'll have no problem getting a 4 man cabin full, If we don't have enough room for everyone I know forum members that would sleep on floors...but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it...