Anyone got the "itch" yet?

[frabillfisher]

Well I geuss i can't say i hate summer fishing,I like it just as much as ice fishing but last night when i woke up excited because i picked up a new auger and was headed out to the lake(on ice) and then got dissapointed because it was just a dream...I know were i wish i really was

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

I've had the itch since ice out...

[Matt Johnson]

The itch for ice fishing is always there for me, no matter the time of year So many different things to do in the off season... fix up the portable, look for clearance items, tinker with any else that has to do with ice fishing...

Until that fresh sheet of ice returns, I guess I'll have to settle with fishing opener water

Soon enough though...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Ryan_V]

I'd give up summer fishing any day for a day on the ice!!! I've also had the itch since ice off!!!

[The Grebe]

DITTO to all of the positive posts...Spring, Summer and Fall are all fine times, but I look forward to the ice and I don't even know why?

All I know is that I like ice fishing...maybe it is because business is'nt so hectic and I have more free time to fish without feeling guilty about not making hay?

[tomfromblaine]

Not only do I have the itch but the way things are goin' I'm afraid I may not get any more fishin' till the ice gets here, well that probly won't happen but I need more fishin for sure

[Mr.Perch]

Ice fishing is great because you can be closer to god. You get to walk on water. The trick is to do like Jesus stay on top of the water and not like Peter that would be breaking thought the ice. No bugs ice fishing, less crowds, Jumbo Perch esay to find, come on ICE!

[wallydiver]

I've got it big time. I'm currently snowmobile shopping so I can go all over the lake next year. Early ice walleyes... I can't wait.

[Moose-Hunter]

I'm BIG into ice fishing and all..... HOWEVER.. The only ice I want to see for a while is what's floating in my beverage.

That MAY be because I run a snow/ice removal business.

There's plenty of water to scratch my itch for a few months.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I've got the itch so bad my neighbor and I sat in my fish house yesterday evening and knocked back a couple of beverages. Of course we had the windows open and the heater wasn't on, but we were in the fish house none the less.

Come on winter.

[PikeTipper]

Mr Perch you forgot one big difference, my boat control is much better in the winter! The wind just drives me nuts in the summer.

[riverrat56]

I to got out the portable yesterday and sat in it dreaming of things i could do to improve it for its first season on the ice.

[The Grebe]

Mr. Perch...I just had to reply...we got into the Jumbos up on Mille Lacs at late ice and it was one of the most enjoyable fishing trips I have had in recent memory.

We were still able to drive out, we fished with just our shirts on it was so nice. No wind and cooperative fish.

We got a bunch and I had one at 13 1/2 inches and one at 13, the smallest I kept was 12 inches, it was great!

Not a bang, bang, bang bite, you had to work for them, but that is what I like, one here, two there, 3 over here, a lull and one more...that extends the fishing time in a positive way. I'll for sure be back after them next season!

[The Grebe]

Wallydiver...ditto that! I to am in the process of acquiring wheels to enhance my early and late ice fishing, it's gonna be great if everything works.

[metrojoe]

boilerguy, you crack me up. I could see myself doing the same thing.

I'm still excited about open water fishing, but in a couple months when it's to (Contact US Regarding This Word) hot to do anything but hide under the shade of a tree in the back yard and crack a cold one, I'll be dreaming of some hard water action.

[tashit]

I don't have the itch yet because I love open water just as much as hard water. That's what makes Minnesota so great to me. Come April I can't wait for it to warm up and the ice to melt and get out in the boat, but in October I'll be getting the fish house out, the auger tuned up, and praying for cold weather.

[Matt Johnson]

I think we all need to get together this summer, with our portables, and work on modifications. It can be kind of a "portable show and tell" or something like that

I have several new things I want to add to my portables and it's always nice to see what others have done to modify theirs. And plus, it's much nicer to work on the portable during the summer than it is during the winter (I don't have a heated garage )...

I say once the Muskie Opener count-down is up, we need to start an Ice Fishing count-down

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[hanson]

Quote:

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... we need to start an Ice Fishing count-down

---

You beat me to it Matt! That was my next suggestion for the little ticker at the top of the page. I say set the date for Thanksgiving weekend.

Hmmm... A portable modification party. I'll bring the plywood. We'll have to split up the duties and have somebody bring power tools, adhesives, carpet, hinges, handles, etc.

[Matt Johnson]

Now you're thinking hanson! If my modifications turn out half as good as yours then I'll be happy.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Paul Waldowski]

"Modification Party" Count me in! Just name the time and the place and I'll be there. I think I have a few ideas that I could contribute. Also looking to solicit a few more from you boys

[Mr.Perch]

PikeTipper

You are absolutely right

[Mr.Perch]

The Grebe

Its fun that late ice bite on Osakis this year while my neighbors were trying to understand why the crappies would not bite I had town bay all to myself not fast action but big ones and enough action to keep it intresting

[wallydiver]

I was sitting in my portable last night too!

Grebe,

Imagine the possibilities we have now, especially with a GPS. Oh, and not to mention the late ice pike. Man this is going to be a long summer. Oh well, only about 4 months until waterfowl season.

[riverrat56]

Its really sick how addicted we are to fishing isnt it?

I love it, its great going on here and reading that there are other people like me out there, makes me feel normal.

I mean you cant go up to the average person in the streets on a 95 degree day and say " Yep got out the portable last night and fished in a bucket of sunnies i caught in the morning, just to ease the wait for ice a bit " They'd call the cops and send you to the Looney Bin.

I'd be up for a ice fishing modification day, i can get 3/4 in plywood for free, its in pallets that need to be cut down but if someone has a portable table saw it works slick.

I've got a Frabill XLT Twin that hasnt seen ice yet so it could use a few mods maybe.

RR56

[Eric Wettschreck]

A portable party???? Count me in!!!! I'll bring beer.