sign of things to come

[CrappieJohn]

Ma and I did some travelling over the weekend and noticed ice on many small bodies of water. At Silver lake yesterday the shale that formed overnight Saturday did not all melt off and some sheets were still on the water at 4 in the afternoon. This is one of the harbingers of things that come with the season.

Last Thursday the water temps on the Miss were at 45 degrees where we fished. Maybe a little less. But we were doing main channel current and where the current doesn't get , I'm fairly sure that the ice will be forming pretty much everyday unless we fall under some major heat.

Every year I go thru this slump.....putting away the crappie rods and tackle is a solemn affair for me. Ice fishing has become a chore for me, but I still sneak out and drop a line....and will do this until we get thick ice. By then the river has settled and my walleye fishing kicks in big time.

Something else that signals this change in fishing seasons is the new tackle. Like I need to acquire some more tackle though, huh? lol Every year we see the "new and improved" versions of this and that. I enjoy looking at the stuff and might actually buy some...my big thing in the last couple years has been the flash type baits all the way from smaller sunfish sized baits to those which can be used in the boat for walleyes. New houses, new augers, new rods/reels.....it's a rush. But still there is that sense of loss when I have to store things that have been in my hands all summer more than not.

The beauty of this change-over is that I get to read. I get to try something new perhaps that can tried again when the ice is gone. I get to see the world from another perspective and will freely admit that I do not think there is much on earth more beautiful than a Minnesota winter day, especially when veiwed while fishing. And there are no bugs....

Yes, there is a bit of melencholy to the season's changing. But it is short lived and I know that when they change in the spring, I won't be going through what I am now. So with my whing done, I'd like to offer everyone hopes for a great winter season. Just be careful on any early ice....we don't need anyone as a statisic. Have at it guys!!!! ( do I hear a drum roll?).

[Eric_Sieve]

yea, I hope global warming doesn't stop the times from changing

[Jiganda Minnow]

Winter is great for me because I get a chance to tie some flies and now hair jigs, since I've had such good luck with them. I sharpen my knives and hooks, poke out the paint in the jig eyes, buy new gear, reorganize my tackle box. Christmas comes and I might get some new fishing gear.

But of course I also do a bit of ice fishing, though not as much as some. The meat on crappies and sunnies seem to get a bit firmer in the winter, and I like to fry em up & lick the plate clean on a Lenten Friday. One of the other great things about winter is that it's the /only/ time you will ever hear 'Tip-Up!'

Winter's not so bad :]

[jiggin pig]

JigAnda Minnow, Could you help me give me a couple of hints on how to tie a good maribu jig. any ideas i would greatly appreciate it.

[delmuts]

aaaah ! i feel your pain tom ! i'm still shore fishing so it hasn't hit me yet, but my winter shut down is close. i haven't iced fished for years. may get back into it this year! i too spend the winter cleaning reels, sorting lures and sharpening hooks.just trying to get through til spring. went to alabama last feb. with some guys on a golf outing. man it about killed me seeing those wonderfull lakes , and i didn't have a fish pole!! del