Well we made it through one of the coldest January's we have experienced in a long time. Ice fishing has been very good this season. My son Jamie and his friend Eric moved our big house on Friday. We had some reservations on leaving the house on the ice due to the deep snow. If you have a house on the water make sure you are blocked up high enough. My neighbor had a tidal wave flood when he drilled a hole. They moved the house a hundred yards away and did some fishing before leaving the ice. They slammed the walleyes, a lot of small fish, but 2 limits for the frying pan. Spoons and minnow heads are still the best presentation. If you are not catching fish experiment with colors and different jigs. On some occasions rattles are the best bait, and the next time on the water plain spoons rattle free are the only thing they will eat.

It may be a little early but if you are like me you are thinking ahead to the 09 season. Now is the time to check your equipment. Clean and lube your reels and check rods for broken line guides. Your time on the water should be relaxing and having equipment problems can be stressful. It is also a good time to spool your reels with fresh line. Check your lures and make sure you haven't damaged any of your hooks, replace if needed. Maybe purchase a few new cranks in the colors you must have.