No not Phil Collins and his friend...my friend and long time foe...ice fishing.
After a disappointing year last year I am feeling the urge for that first time out.
Here is how it typically plays out:
Nov: It's fricken cold..lets check the lake temperature at Indian...
Dec: Dude I slipped on ice on my way to the car. Let's check to see how thick the ice is as Indian
Friday night before first outing: get my new line, blades, and equipment all together, Tie my big jigs on for first of the year agressors who I can pick out of the pack. Pack my car and put my ice suit hat gloves, safety gear boots out to easily slip into in the morning
Saturday of first ice: wake up after barely sleeping around 4am (usually the time has been moved back 3 times since I we made our plan to go..meet you at 6..5:30...be at your house at 4:30!
Arrive at Tylers house with Techno blaring, car packed with gear goodies, and an eager and very awake fishing partner with coffee and mcmuffin in hand
Drive well above the speed limit and avoid near death as we race against the sun's arrival time to Indian Lake
Arrive at the McDonald's in Russell's Point to releive ourselves before traveling north to Long Island
Arrive at Long island surprised that although we beat the sun, we didn't beat the first ice fisherman. Good news we can follow their tracks!
Then it happens, the sound, feel, sensation we've waited for. The crisp feel of crackling top ice under my boot, the smell of fresh ice and clean crisp morning air, the sound of new ice cracking and popping and shanties being dragged out on it. The light rumble of where do you want to set up. Over here looks good.
We spare no time in getting setup. We execute the plan we have worked on since it first started making plans. By now Tyler and I have a fairly regular routine. I set up our living space for the day as he gets the holes popped and cleaned out.
In minutes our bright red eskimo is full of heat, laughter, worship, music, food, and when God is on our side...fish.
All are welcome inside and we encourage net new ice fishers to join us to get a feel for a day or half day on the ice.
About noon we make the executive decision to pack it up and hit up the Tilton Hilton or stay on the fish for a while longer. By the time we have 5-6 hours of fishing/slamming double cheese burgers from the tilton the ride back is half story telling/half dancing to techno to stay awake/ and half planning for our next trip on the ice.
Last year took that last piece out of the equation, but I pray that Tyler and I will continue to have time like we have had in the past..we have always had fun..fish or no fish.
Here's to a great year!
Banker - Team Fisher's of Men
