Delightfully Miserable

It's not that I prefer awful weather. I like 75 degrees and sunshine as much as the next guy. However, I cannot deny that I find a strange romance in enduring harsh conditions through a day of fishing.

I can't really explain what is fun about wading waist-deep in a cold river with 33-degree air and a soaking rain falling all day -- like I did last week on Michigan's Grand River -- or kneeling on the ice on a bitterly cold and windy day when I can barely stand to hold my rod and reel in gloved hands. That fun undeniably exists for me, though, and is part of the reason why I commonly go north during the cold months, when most folks I know are venturing south.

The fishing itself is the main appeal. I don't travel north just to get cold. I could do that without fishing. I suppose enduring the conditions (whether hot or cold) is simply part of the adventure.

Fleeing from Spring

Or first daffodil of 2015 opened yesterday, and several other will follow soon. Today brought beautiful weather for Little League tryouts, and I think the temp has probably found the 60s by now. The whole 10-day actually looked fairly nice, last I saw. So what am I don't? Heading north to go ice fishing again, of course!

Sensible friends in the industry travel south to fish for bass or various saltwater sport fish this time of year -- thus bringing on the enjoyment of spring even before it arrives wherever they call home. Being far too fond of ice-fishing, I instead travel north and extend winter.

Next week's travels will take me to Indiana to chase crappie (and assorted other species) through the ice. From there, I'm headed Traverse City, Michigan. Hard to say what we'll chase up there. Too many fine options to even guess. I've been assured, however, that I will see no daffodils.

14 Today

Nathaniel turned 14 today. For the past couple of years we've camped and fished on his birthday, and I suspect we'll still make that trip eventually. We're visiting family in Michigan this weekend, though, and Nathaniel volunteered to mow his great aunt's lawn this afternoon. This evening we might go explore Lake Michigan, but not with fishing poles. We didn't bring any.  Otherwise we might have to go explore a trout stream instead.

Michigan Landing

Today was a travel day for the Samsel family. We arrived in Michigan, where we'll spend the next few days, late this afternoon. Usually I fish while we're here, often spending a day in a trout street and another on Lake St Clair. No fishing on this trip though; just enjoying time visiting family.