Hardcore At 4

After some persuasive discussions, Bita said I could take William to Henry's while she did a bit of black friday shopping.  So, after going to bed far too late, or should I say early, I got up to my 4:45am alarm and pulled myself together.  I had gone upstairs to make sure our food was good to go and then came back downstairs to see Will standing right outside his door.  He said, "Dad, I'm not sleepy anymore."  Think he was excited to go?  Jared came by and we were on the road by 5:30.

Will was a trooper the whole day, even when he was clearly cold or tired.  He was on the verge of devastation when we moved from our first location on the lake to find one with a bit more solitude.  Fortunately he was comforted when we assured him it was not time to head home yet.  I was so glad to get Will out and after some big fish.  It definitely wasn't a numbers day, but I was trying to catch something so much better, my sons happiness. 

Will was practicing his catch and release skills.

Jared with one of the pretty cuts he nabbed.

I could not ask for a better fishing buddy.  He is a hardcore fisherman in the making.  I look forward to many fishing trips with him in the future.  Some of the happiest memories I have from my childhood were fishing trips with my father. 

And a special thanks to Jared for his patience and company.  We were lucky to have him along, especially since he is normally in California.  We'll get that huge brookie that got away another day.  No, really, I fought him up to the hole and then he managed to spit the hook.  True story. (As if we ice fishermen never say that.) 

A New Season Begins

It's here, early ice on Henry's Lake.  Fishing is always stellar just after the lake first caps, but it can be a bit sketchy with newly formed ice.  Today we trekked a fair distance to a secluded section of the lake, using a pick axe along the way to check the thickness.  The area we traversed and fished, as far as we could tell, was a uniform 3 to 4 inches thick.  However, there was an annoying 2 inches of slush/water on the ice where the fishing was good.  We ended the day with plenty fish brought to hand, and our boots full of water.  Didn't see that coming, fortunately it was a remarkably warm day.  We didn't even set up the Quickfish 6 until the afternoon, which we only did for a place to bask in extra comfort. 

All in all it was an awesome kick off to the ice fishing season.  The only bad part is that I have so little time to get away to fish it when it's hot.  I have a 7:45am chemistry class to thank for that. 

Cutties, hybrids, and brookies... oh my!

There is something about watching the fish and seeing the take that gets your adrenaline going.  I wish I had gotten it on video but I was a bit preoccupied.  We are pretty spoiled to have ice fishing shelters that are so easy to set up and portable.

 Nothing beats the pattern of a brookies back.  It's almost primal.

The sun setting to an excellent day.  I can't wait to get my 4yr old on the ice and hooked into some Henry's goodness.  It will be soon, I will MAKE time for it to happen, even if chemistry has to take the backseat for the day.