Going quick

[Frank Walsh]

Going pretty quick. Almost no way back to the mainland.


26451

[Frank Walsh]

View between Flag and Passage Islands, as well a view towards the houseboat on Cyclone.






2645426455

[dpear]

Is that your white Ranger on the current break?
Biting?

[Frank Walsh]

If the current break is in Jordan's shed, it is. Put sleds away yesterday before I do something stupid.

[Frank Walsh]

View from the camera on Flag to Porno Point on Oak.





26457

[Frank Walsh]

Progress as of yesterday. A bit cloudy.............






26458

[Frank Walsh]

Although some people don't think it's ending. On Flag Island:




26459

[Frank Walsh]

Big difference today, as well as a cloudless day.







26460

[Tim Kelly]

Looks like it's going to be a fairly normal ice out this year doesn't it Frank? Should be gone by the first week or two of April I'd guess which is about typical? Has the winter been average or mild like it has been elsewhere?

[Frank Walsh]

My guess right now is an early ice out. My guess is April 15-20. Normal is about May 1. Definitely a warmer winter. Looked like it was going to be a late freeze, but was saved by a 9th inning cold snap. Definitely a shortened season with premature warming. Certainly looks to be a trend the last few years.

[Tim Kelly]

Ah, OK. I thought you were normally ice free in mid April. How was the ice season? It's been a really poor winter fishing here, despite been very mild, or maybe because of it?

[Frank Walsh]

Fishing was very good this winter. May have even the best since I moved here. Half the houses never moved from their first location, and were consistently good. Total opposite from last year.

[Frank Walsh]

Nice sunny day, so had to update....



26461

[Tim Kelly]

Excellent news. Glad you had a good season. I went to Holland last weekend after giant perch and zander, but it was dreadful, due to 40mph winds all weekend. The Dutch guys were complaining about having a lousy winter too.

[Frank Walsh]

Good time for an update. Open water finally broke through the ice road at the bend to the north. As well you can see not much left between Passage and Flag where it was first to go. What's left is pretty rotted and we really need some wind to tear it up. Has been dead calm for a while, so not much help. Suppose to have a fairly good south wind tomorrow, so hope to see some damage. Harbor still frozen at Young's Bay.






2646226463

[Frank Walsh]

Wow!!!!!!



26468

[Frank Walsh]

Ice road pretty well gone from Mergen's Point to the bend. Most of the ice to the right of the road is an extremely large iceberg that blew in yesterday, and should be gone shortly. Looks pretty well opening from Centre Island east to Blaze. The Modis satellite image should be interesting today. Stay tuned!





26472

[Frank Walsh]

WOW!!!! Huge difference............



26473

[Frank Walsh]

Interesting view:

This is taken looking south towards Baudette, MN from a westbound jet: the North West Angle is under the wing, close to the plane. Those three islands close to the bottom of the window are Brush, Flag and Oak. The skinny one further away is Garden Island, and Big Island is in the distance at the left edge. Looks like the ice is rotting and the first patches of water are breaking open.

Thanks, Marcus!











26489

[Frank Walsh]

Almost open to Centre Island, and as far west as I can see from Oak by eye. Had to move the airboat to shore, as I don't think I could walk to it this afternoon. Couple of cold nights may retard us a bit, but on he way!!!!




26490

[Frank Walsh]

Not much left of Sturgeon Channel today.





26491

[Frank Walsh]

Berry, berry close......



26492

[Frank Walsh]

What more can I say???? Down to a day or two.



26499

[Muskie Junkie]

What more can I say???? Down to a day or two.



26499

Sweet..... what a beautiful sight.

[Tim Kelly]

Excellent. Even the rock lower left looks happy!

Have a great summer Frank.

[Frank Walsh]

All done. Got the Zag out of Young's Bay today. Some ice around the dock, but......