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Pteronarcys californica

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Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Spring break-up on the Tanana River

By Troutnut on April 25th, 2014

My wife and I checked out the Tanana for burbot this weekend, just a day or two after the Nenana Ice Classic tripod fell, indicating that the ice went out about fifty miles downstream. We found no sign of fish at the first spot we tried, which had open water with ice chunks floating around. At the second spot, we caught the ice break-up in action--a spectacular show to watch.

Videos by Troutnut from the Tanana River in Alaska

Spring break-up on the Tanana River near Fairbanks

On April 26, 2014, we caught the last of the contiguous ice across the Tanana River near Fairbanks breaking up and washing away.

Shot on Apr 25, 2014 from Tanana River in Alaska

Added by Troutnut on May 3, 2014

Photos by Troutnut from the Tanana River in Alaska

Trying for burbot. I've taken a few small ones on setlines in this eddy in the past, but never tried on rod and reel. There were no takers.

From the Tanana River in Alaska

Break-up on the Tanana

From the Tanana River in Alaska

The last contiguous ice on the Tanana near town. On the right side of the photo, the river's original ice still extends all the way across. A rapid flow of water and ice is pushing in toward it from the left. Moments later, the original ice gave way and opened up a free-flowing channel packed with truck-sized icebergs.

From the Tanana River in Alaska

Ice piled up on the Tanana

From the Tanana River in Alaska

Comments / replies

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on May 4, 2014May 4th, 2014, 12:38 pm EDT

I added a short video of the ice crashing down the Tanana. It's an impressive sight.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

PaulRoberts

Colorado

Posts: 1776

PaulRoberts on May 4, 2014May 4th, 2014, 5:43 pm EDT

Very cool. Thanks for sharing that clip, Jason.

Lake Ontario's post-breakup could be exciting some years. Ah! And I remember the first time I heard big lakes "making ice". A long way from shore, sitting on a bucket, and BA-BOOM! Sounding like thunder. I'd stand up -fast!- and look all around with my heart pounding, half expecting a Kraken to take me to see Davy Jones. But after having drilled through over 2ft of ice, I knew that wasn't likely. But my adrenals weren't so sure!

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