Ventured to Amber with all my gear, not even knowing if it was free of ice. Was pleasantly surprised to find it mostly clear with only a thin sheet remaining on the far bank. Headed to the shallows to fish chironimid patterns. Fish finder showed the water at 37 degrees. Had a few takes on small black patterns, with one fish landed. Some other folks were getting fish by dragging leech patterns with sink tips. A gentleman near me got several fish on a bloodworm so I decided to take the hint!! The fishing really picked up then, with several fishing taking a size 8 bloodworm, but also with several "hitting and running" before I could set the hook. Switched to a smaller pattern, a size 14 wine chironimid, and the hit and run tactics ceased!! Nothing but solid takes for the next 2 hours. I managed 24 fish total caught and released with another dozen lost in the weeds or missed. Largest was 21 inches. A half dozen were 18-20 inches, with remainder 12-17 inch range. All were decent fighters despite the cold temperatures. Don't ask me why, but for some reason the 16-17 inch fish were by far the best fighters. Remember, folks, Amber is a special regs lake. Read your pamphlet and let's all protect this wonderful body of water.

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