Some places fill a space larger than their actual geography. In front of us laid what seemed like an eternal winter of frozen water. Pressure cracks formed by expanding ice razored the surface with the hard crust attached firmly to shore. Sometimes a brilliant detail emerged like crystal clear water pulsating in a fresh cut hole or a multi-colored bluegill being pulled from icy depths. Yes, the ice is in and the anglers are out, for the time being anyway. For many, it has been a full year since they’ve heard the unmistakable sound of razor sharp augers gnawing through a lake’s frozen surface. Yes, ice fishing can be a “hole” lot of fun. “I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have any ice fishing opportunities,” said my friend Jeff Newsome as we met in a local bait shop. Until the turn of the New Year, winter appeared to be nothing more than an extension of fall. Newsome, like many hardwater anglers, was preparing to spend time on the ice with family and friends while conditions allowed. Rick Coffman, Russiaville, looks at home sitting on a pond's frozen surface.
Ice Can Be Nice
Ice Can Be Nice
Ice Can Be Nice
Some places fill a space larger than their actual geography. In front of us laid what seemed like an eternal winter of frozen water. Pressure cracks formed by expanding ice razored the surface with the hard crust attached firmly to shore. Sometimes a brilliant detail emerged like crystal clear water pulsating in a fresh cut hole or a multi-colored bluegill being pulled from icy depths. Yes, the ice is in and the anglers are out, for the time being anyway. For many, it has been a full year since they’ve heard the unmistakable sound of razor sharp augers gnawing through a lake’s frozen surface. Yes, ice fishing can be a “hole” lot of fun. “I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have any ice fishing opportunities,” said my friend Jeff Newsome as we met in a local bait shop. Until the turn of the New Year, winter appeared to be nothing more than an extension of fall. Newsome, like many hardwater anglers, was preparing to spend time on the ice with family and friends while conditions allowed. Rick Coffman, Russiaville, looks at home sitting on a pond's frozen surface.