reminiscing

[PGF]

Went to the storage garage today to drop off summer stuff and get winter stuff ( like snow blower and spearing/ ice fishing things. This lead to checking out all my decoys. I remember when I was 12 ( now 33) I talked my dad into letting me cut a big hole in the floor of his old portable 4x8 house that was pretty much falling apart. That Christmas they got me a spear and a red and white duey decoy. I remember the first time out, a little hammer handle came rushing in, and I was so excited I forgot to let go of the spear, so in went my whole arm...and I actually got the fish! I ran over to dad who was fishing for sunnies out deeper, I was so proud! I bought acouple more of those duey's decoys, then college came, and I drifted away from spearing. Finally picked it back up and decided to try making my own decoy. How hard could it be? This was before I knew about this forum, so had no one to learn from except my own mistakes. I spent so much time on the first one (a little northern) , got it out there, into the hole, and it was the best bobber ever! It wasn't funny for me at the time...fortunately I had brought my trusty dueys decoys along so the day was not lost. There were more trial and errors ( sorry mrclean!) Before I had three that swam great! Of those three, 2 have gotten PB's for myself and rengel (his was also his first speared ever and won the nord Lord at Winnie! I still bring both of those every time I go out, even though they are pretty crude compared to my latest creations. Thanks everyone for posting on here and reading everyone else's. The gtg's have helped me get a couple people into spearing who might not have otherwise, and I've personally learned a ton from all the input on here, so thanks again and can't wait for some ice!

[MJ1657]

Great post PGF! Its always fun to sit back and remember how you got started.

[mwal]

Nice post. Can't wait for hard water. Hope there is enough ice for 1st gtg as I want to attend this year. The guys on this board are always helpful and no question is a bad question.

Mwal