It's a man's time out fishing. Two can's of Faygo Citrus pop, a pail full of minnows, and a cheap cigar. The only thing missing were the fish.

December 20, 2012 – Thursday

25 degrees

Pentoga Road

There’s a Weather Advisory for six inches of snow to fall in the next 24 hours. Does this mean summer is over?

It’s not long until 12/21/12, the Mayan Calendar’s predicted day of doom. The least they could have done was waited until after Christmas. Those Mayans were real Scrooges.

Bobcat tracks along the shore

Wednesday was a beautiful day. Soon after writing, I packed the Clam and ice fishing equipment and took off for one of our local lakes in search of bluegill. Though I only found a couple of small ones, it was great simply being out on the ice.

Ready to go. The Blazer is packed. Everything fits inside the Clam's sled making it very easy to pull.

I think I was the first this season to step foot on the ice of the small lake. With a heavy chisel in hand, I took the first tentative step, then thunked the sharpened iron bar into the ice ahead, then took another step. Once I reached water that I knew was over my head, I stopped and chopped a hole. There was a solid four to five inches, more than enough for safe walking.

The Clam worked better than I anticipated. It takes less than thirty seconds to set up and when I wanted to move to another location, I simply went ahead, drilled the holes, positioned the shelter and opened it. I moved six or eight times looking for fish with little bother.

Luke’s fish finder/sonar worked well, although honestly, I discovered I couldn’t see the marks very well, nor could I see my line if I got a strike. In the end, I used the device as a depth finder and to gather underwater information then fished the old fashioned way, using a bobber. Between less than perfect eyesight and being an old dog learning a new trick, I was much more comfortable fishing in the same manner as Dad taught me almost sixty years ago. Still, I love the idea of the sonar, what it tells me about what’s happening under the ice, and no doubt will get more comfortable using it as the season goes along.

I was just thinking. I devised a magnifying glass that fit over the sonar on my boat in Alaska. It worked well and I was able to use it without too much effort. Hmm. Hmm. Stay tuned. I feel a project coming on.

The first fish of the season. He went back into the hole to have his diapers changed and be burped.

I only got about a third of the lake covered and never did get into the depth of water I felt was needed to find the bluegills. No matter where I drilled, there seemed to be between ten and fifteen feet of water. According the surface maps, the deepest part of the lake is around 28 feet in the middle. I wasn’t keen on venturing out that far walking on new ice. The bluegills will still be there next after another week or two of cold weather.

I stopped at our local lake and discovered fishing was just as bad or worse there. The local boys are wondering what’s happening. Early fishing is usually the best and generally slows down as the winter progresses. If this is as good as it gets, we’re in for a long and slow winter of angling.

This size would have made a meal... had I caught twenty more. I threw this one back to take care of the baby returned earlier.

I still managed to get in my walk last night and the sun had long set before arriving home. It was relaxing walking by lamplight accompanied by the yelps of coyotes and an occasional hoot of an owl. Beautiful.

Sargie’s packing an emergency kit this morning should the weatherman’s forecast come true. I’ve talked her into staying at one of her sister’s tonight should the roads become hazardous and slick. Not only are several inches of snow supposed to fall, but stiff winds are to accompany it. It sounds as if the Blazer and it’s four-wheel-drive will be put to good use. I have the Man Truck and it’s wall-climbing four-wheel-drive should I need to go anywhere locally. There’s also the four wheeler and snowmobile. I’m all set for a big ol’ snowstorm.

Josh and Megan sent a beautiful Grandpa calendar with pictures of last summer’s Mt. Washington summit, of the grandbabies, and various family pictures. Thanks, Kids. Andy also gave me a great gift certificate for Cabelas. That will be well spent. Thanks, Buddy!

With grades in and the season upon us, I’m not sure what today has in store. I may go fishing or possibly work on perpetual motion; perhaps fission or fusion. Failing all the above, I might take nap. A man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…