3 guys on PLX/OSP Friday evening. I'm gonna poke around to see if there are decent spots for a Sunday morning trek & drill adventure somewhere within the PLX Chain.

Yeah Rick, I think most of us outdoor guys have a Coleman Lantern buried somewhere in the garage or basement. Heck I have 2 older, green double-mantle styles & 2 of the newer smaller gray models. (I'm not a fan of the newer style... less light & less heat).

I wouldn't throw them away. Good emergency heat & light.

I'll be surprised if the ice is good for this Saturday.  Reports indicate yesterday's afternoon warm front tore up what lil ice we had. Noticed alot more open water on Ladue & Rockwell. Figured similar conditions all over the area. The wind really ruined the thin ice areas.

I'll  check the PLX ice Saturday afternoon in the hopes of getting on Sunday.

You're screwed. Forget the ice fishing. Wife comes first. Fishing is second.

Extremely odd year for inland lake ice formation. Can't get a finger on it. Mogadore at Congress Lake Rd is an example. It's usually one of the first places to drlll holes . Old State Park OSP is another example.

As I lifelong Hardwater guy, I've got to come clean & confess. Yesterday (Thursday 1/23), me & Evinrude58 Carl hit Nimmy at C-1. It's the very first time I was with anyone who had a rope tied around his waist with a 50ft tail just in case he went in. Smart move by Carl. Wish I had thought of it.

Though I've learned to read ice just as good as most experienced hardwater guys, yesterday's ice was the worst I've ever been on... 2.5-3" at best... And it wasn't good, hard, solid, clear ice. The ice didn't look good or feel strong... or ver safe.

I confess: It was treacherous. As I gingerly walked out to meet Carl, I could sense the ice wasn't good at all. Certain types of "cracks" one hears while stepping forward really perk your ears & tighten your nerves. Even though we fished less than 100yds from the boat dock, we were still in 9-11ft of water. We didn't move much.

Water started accumulating around my holes and soon I was in 1/2"-3/4" of water around me.. The ice was starting to sag. NOT A GOOD FEELING. Cautiously I moved to a another spot and within 5 minutes, the water on the ice was surrounding me again. Our skeptical ice was turning to dangerous, deteriorating, soft ice..

I had originally planned to fish after sunset, but my conscience was telling me it was time to go. We only fished a couple of hours.. 1pm-3pm.

IN REALITY, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON IT., but the urge to be on the hardwater is difficult to ignore.
Yesterday's hardwater experience was thoroughly enjoyable, but dangerous as well. I said a prayer as we loaded our vehicles and spent another hour at the parking lot jawing & telling stories. I even had a nice, fat stogie.

Truth be told: I didn't want to go swimming again. Besides, I didn't wear my Speedos.
 

I built a 12 volt battery power box using a Vex Battery as shown on You Tube by JDS Outdoors It has 2 USB Ports, Digital Volt Meter,, LED Light & Cigarette Lighter Port & Bananna Jacks for attaching other 12 volt lights, systems, etc.