I have come to the conclusion that I don’t really enjoy ice-fishing. On the day it hit 71, I noticed a spillway had opened some water below the dam. There was a pile of rocks under water about 2’ from the edge of the ice. I could see some bluegills swimming outside that rock pile, so I was casting onto the ice with a small jig and wax worm. I’d slowly pull the jig to the ice edge, and let it drop into the water. Sure enough, I hooked up. The fish would swim back under the ice away from me, and eventually the bottom of the ice or the rocks would break me off. This happened six times before I finally gave up, but it was a blast!

I was quite excited about the possibilities of fishing in Louisiana last week. I just needed to find a place to fish at night, or a guide, as we had business meetings all day. Long story short, it didn’t work out – big time bummer!

So today, instead of fishing in 20 sq. ft. of open water, or ice-fishing, I decided to find something else fishing related to do. I sharpened filet knives, loaded up two new reels with braid, practiced a new line-to-leader knot, and organized some gear.

I’m guessing that I am like most kayak anglers in the north – really looking forward to some open water!