Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

[Bobby Bass]

Been working on the ice house today. A few snow flakes falling so what better time. I have it half in and half out of the garage. Since the grand kids use it as a playhouse during the summer the first thing to do was remove toys and drawings pinned to the walls. Except a few of them did remain, got to have some art in the house. A good cleaning and vacuuming and the house was as clean as it was going to be. This is my launch section of the house. It has been reinforced for the fling and has a roll cage hidden inside it's plywood walls. The main section of the ice house is on the trailer along side the garage. Hidden under the big blue tarp is my second home. Complete with kitchen and the beer train trolley that runs along inside of the outside walls. The bungee section has but one seat, that being the barbershop chair that I recovered from an old barber shop a few towns over. It has been rebolted to the floor and with the heating coils inside the leather seat I will be warm and cozy waiting for my turn to be flung. Last years solar version has been back in the workshop for most of the summer. Need to work on a few of the navigation bugs as well as the over heating. It will find its way back to the roof of the main section sometime this winter. The idea was good just went a little to far.

Between making runs into town for odds and ends that I needed for the house I saw that Max at the Lake Iwanttobethere ski hill was out making snow. Yes it is cold enough to make snow and although he missed the annual Thanksgivings Day opening he will be up and running here soon. The hill is not really very big and it only has two runs. One going up and one coming down. He was set up on the slope with his Hamms beer and he had the garden hose set on a fine mist blowing into the two matching 20" box fans. He does not make a lot of snow but it is nice. By afternoon there was enough on the ground to leave footprints. Hank was using the driver this morning checking ice on the lake. Lake is making ice and with Sunshine Ray calling for single figure temps this week I have a feeling we will be seeing some fishermen out on the ice.

Still have some slots open for the ice house fling and am looking for them to fill up here soon before we have to draft to get our final ten. The Sparrow Club has requested information on the fling as they are making noise about entering a house. We are always looking for new designs and of course I sent the packet out along with the waver. Sunshine Ray has updated his forecast and now is calling for snow! I have the local radio station on and he is calling for several inches. This might effect our slope at the launch. Shifted gears here and moved some snow shovels to the front of the garage. Splashed some gas in the snow thrower and turned it over and let it run for a few minutes. Had the muffler facing the wrong way and turned the inside of the garage a nice blue. Made a few extra trips to the wood pile and filled the wood box by the back door and the rack inside the cabin is full. Guess winter will be here this week. I see on the honey do list I kind of skipped over the Christmas lights. Might have missed my chance on hanging replacement strings when the weather would have been kind.

Did notice a kind of funny sight today as I was taking a break. I saw three pink flamingoes stuck in a large patch of floating skim ice heading out across the bay. The long skinny legs were frozen in and the wind was taking them out of sight. I suppose sometime this ice fishing season they will reappear. I wonder how they ended up out there, Will have to check where the flock is suppose to be wintering. Did a walk around the yard and picked up anything that I don't want the snow to hide till Spring. Flower beds produced hand tools and gloves and grand kids left some toys out by the dock. Guess I am as ready as I can be now. Well dark caught me still working on the shanty, will have to continue tomorrow. I think I'll spend some time in the den working on rods and tackle. That fire will feel mighty good with snow falling and the wind blowing across the lake. Hope you are on schedule with your shack and we will see you on the ice.. From Lake Iwanttobethere (20094)

[McGurk]

Well, as close as we are getting to the fling and as much talk as there is about it, I had better get my snuff together and get the paperwork filed. We all know that my Lodge application is still not turned in as of yet, and I have tried to respond to all of those questions orally. Makes it easier to have a group of guys all listen once than pass a piece of paper around and each have a turn reading it, in my eyes anyways. My speling is'nt the gratest, ether.

The fish house, the fish house... Looking at some old posts and the new posts leading up to this, I will say that I am starting to get pretty excited. The whole Vaseline idea really went to pot when I left an ice cream bucket of it in the ice chest to find out what its cold weather properties were. Of course, the neighborhood search-and-rescue dog got a hold of it, as she seems to have the lock mechanism figured out on the door of the chest. Needless to say, that warm spell we got in early fall makes a cold treat like that seem pretty tasty. Sorry, Dan. I don't envy the carpet cleaning costs, and am willing to help out on any other projects that you might need a hand on. Hank seems a little preoccupied anymore, and his 14 hr days have shrank to 11's now that the Mrs. is cooking for him. I can't say I blame him.

The fish house, the fish house... Got some new ideas, and have found a place to let me get a little wind tunnel time in. My house has taken a turn to looking a little more scud than box. The smoke trails that float over it in the wind tunnel sure skimmed right across it, though. The problem is that the house is 6' wide and 6' tall at the center, but I'm sure you've all ridden in a plane before and see where I'm going with this. The floor and ceiling tend to get pretty narrow, and the walls have a concave look to them. I have it arranged that there are 1 person seats on both walls, alternating in direction, each with a hole at their feet. It may look to a fish like an aisle of bait at a grocery store, though, as there will be 8 lines all dropped in one straight line. As for the fisherman, it may look like people in the house are lined up for a jump out the door at 30,000 ft with parachutes on their backs. Actually I might have a few left over from last years fling. Have to do a little more rummaging.

The fish house, the fish house... The weight should be around 1500 lbs and I have tried to cut weight to a point. But I'm sure you all realize that if you push an empty can with the same force as a full can, the full can will go further. So, no empty can for me. There are windows and a captains seat for me. For some reason no one wanted to ride along last year, so I am going to make this a solo flight. There are some rudimentary steering controls and a way to slow down (wife made me put that on). I have NO intention of slowing down, though.

Should be a good time, but I was wondering; are we allowed practice flings leading up to this? I think I want a 3/4 pull, as my tests have pointed to anything more than that shooting up the other shore. By the way, anyone interested in bringing in a 1/40th scale model of their fling house to the lodge is welcome to it, as I do have a model of the fling area made to scale on a sheet of plywood that could be brought in for a night of experimentation. That makes a 16' house just a touch under 5" long. Get out your whittling knives!

[Bobby Bass]

Here are your rules and guidelines for the 2007 Lake Iwanttobethere Ice House Fling.

1) Houses may be any size and shape up to a 12' by 16' there is no mim size for launching.

2) You may dial in the length of pull from the bungee cord. You will be asked to fill out a "launch sheet" a guess at your weight and the pull of the bungee, ¼, half, ¾ or a full pull!

3) You must sign the release form and have a next to kin present, this makes things easier for the launch committee.

4) You must have a way to launch flares. A white flare for all ok and a red flare for if you need assistance at the end of your run.

5) All houses must have at least two runners at launch.

6) You may have passengers but must have a fishing hole in the house for each passenger and you can not charge a fee to your passengers.

7) Drinking is not allowed, however once you have entered your house and are in the launch area what you do is up to you.

8) Your house must be painted, white is not a color, we need to be able to follow the flight of your house from the launch area.

9) Once your house has been launched and it comes to a complete stop you will not be allowed to relocate your house for 30 days. You may rotate it up to 360 degrees. You will be a marker for the rest of the town to follow.

10) The house tossed the farthest from the launch site will be declared the winner and will be awarded all prizes from the merchants award list. The merchants do require that the house be intact and they will be allowed to place logos on up to two of the intact walls.

11) The farest tossed house will also be awarded a plowed road directly to the said house, this will be at no charge to the winner.

12) All houses must be at Dug's garage the morning of the launch. They will be fitted with a sling connector, we strongly encourage that a wall be reinforced for this. Also the house owner must provide a tarp or covering for there house. House will not be revealed to the general public ( tourists) till one hour before schedule launch.

13) This years launch date is Dec. 9th same as last year at noon. Good Luck

If you need help you can contact the committee at [email protected]

The launch committee met last night outside of the Dew Drop Inn and do to the blowing winds and falling temps the meeting was short. Duckslayer, unless you can provide JATO bottles for everyone we can not allow them. We did have one house in the past launched with them but after the ensuing brush fire and the melted ice we have thought better of it. Test flings are not allowed. Mostly because it is a matter of retrieving the test house. McGurk if you are looking to check out the glide path we are still looking for an ice tester to ride in the log. Both Hank and Skinny will assist you. Seems that a interest in the area behind Root Beer island is growing. Committee has voted to angle the launch in that area. Unless steering is involved the flings will take some curling experience to reach that area.

The basket has been added to the prize package and we will be posting a sign next to the sign-up sheet in the Lodge stating the prizes. We have six with four spots left open. McGurk already has the #1 spot or the option to go last. Benefits at both positions. This morning we will be doing a test fling of the empty log at ¼ pull just to make sure the bungee made it through summer storage and the chipmunks did not chew to much out of it. Will be at noon if you would like to watch and place bets. The three floating flamingoes have been spotted frozen solid out front of the Lodge bout 300 yards away. They will be our target. From the Lake... (20127)

[Dan Thiem]

I'm ready, same fish house as last year, and have a saftey seat for the resident search and rescue dog to buckle up and ride with me.

I'm going to have a sweeping crew ahead of my fling? (1/4-1/2 pull) Like the curlers do. That way it'll slide just right into the inside edge of that weed line where Mr Big's Mom lives.

[Bobby Bass]

Hello from the lake. Let's see here if I can answer Dan's question first. I was at a launch meeting this afternoon and brought up your question. It is not covered by the rules and we see no reason why you can't have a sweeper. We do see a few problems as far as who you will get to do it. When Hank and Skinny were asked about it over lunch they wanted more details. I passed on what I thought you would say. You would be launching your shanty at a reduce pull, and needed someone down the hill. I would imagine on the ice to stay ahead of the oncoming shanty and sweeping like we do at curling to "curl" the house into position off the weed line. Hank's impression is that there would be a lot of running involved. Skinny said he has not been in shape to stay ahead of a shanty for several years. They might be able to hook up with Dug and do something on the back of a sled? So I guess you will have to hook up with them and see if you can come up with a plan.

Had to send a few packages off at UPS today and while I was in the big city I did some shopping. I was at that place with the big target that sells like nothing hunting related. Outside there was a young fellow pushing thirty carts or so. As he went by I pointed out that maybe he should share as others might want to use a cart also... Later I was downtown and had to park at a meter. When I came out this young gal all bundled up was writing a ticket. I mentioned that I did not think that was all that fair as it being the holidays. She continued to keep writing. I mentioned her parka looked a little tight on her and she started another ticket. If I didn't know better having seen that look on my wife a few times I think she was getting upset. I moved along, wasn't my truck anyway.

Returned to the Lake in time to check on my order from the General Store. I had ordered a new GUT coat from Earl. He has them made special from his aunt who has a small tailor shop. A GUT coat is made for us full figure guys with short legs. You would think a big time coat maker would grab the idea and run. By the time you buy a coat big enough and long enough to cover your gut your hands are covered by the cuffs. Who cares if it is not level when you hang it on a hanger. When you put it on you have that extra material in the front that covers your gut and the overhang. Don't even want to talk about trying to buy winter bibs, if you find a pair big enough you have to walk on stilts because the legs are for somebody seven foot tall. Anyway it was not in yet but I did some shopping for other needed things. I did see some boxes marked for Nytelyter but Earl would not tell me what was in them. I think there ice house related.

Well Sunshine Ray was off on his forecast, a dusting of snow is all we got and it got as warm as thirty. Good for the ice making as it is clear and safe enough to start walking out as long as you are careful. I think we will have good ice for launch day, if the snow stays away we will have good distance on the flings. Busy working on the shanty, gets dark quick so I am back at it. From the lake.. (20168)

[Bobby Bass]

Sunny day here at Lake Iwanttobethere temps are in the mid teens and the wind is calm. Plenty of sunshine and just a few puffs of clouds floating on by. Vicki and her husband have returned from their vacation to Alaska and the Masterbaiters Bait shop is now open for winter business. New hours have been posted on the door and with six inches of ice out here on the bay a few fellows have already been in buying minnows. They then make the short walk out pass the landing to try there luck. A few fish have been caught and the word of the catches spreads quickly. One of my favorite things to do is stand outside the bait shop with others and when a car or truck drives by we hold our hands apart like fishermen tend to do in describing a fish and then point out towards the lake. Of course the conversation has nothing to do with fishing, today we were talking about the blackout of the football game. Well not really a blackout just we can't get it here. The Sparrow club has it on there satellite TV and some of us were thinking of going over and watching the game. Of course we would say that we were from the icehouse fling committee and needed to follow up on there entry. We will have to see what happens. I know we can't get Elmer in there unless he wears some sort of disguise.

Yesterday afternoon Hank and Skinny fired off the test log with half pulls and had no problems. With very little snow on the ice they managed to pull it back in and fired a second and third time. After that they just took a walk and found pretty good ice. They added the ice depths to the map just inside the Lodge entrance door and a copy was nailed to the tree by the access and at the bait shop. Not to long after that there was a couple of guys on there five gallon pails fishing. Outside of the General Store on the cart Big Earl now has augers, minnow pails and rope. Ice still thin outside of the mouth of Mystery Creek but some kids were skating on Been There Pond. The owners of The Inn were adding more lights to there decorations and as sunset approached you could see the lights from across the lake. Guess that is all it took and soon other lights around town started to come on. Mike down at the junk yard has a new display as he drilled holes into hubcaps and inserted lights in the center. He has then nailed them to the fence along the frontage road side of the junkyard. Well then the Do Drop Inn turn on there lights and the Sundown Cafe answered with theirs. By dark the town was all a glow with lights. Coming back from the big city as I came over the hill I thought there was a fire or something with all the light. Made me pull off to the side of the road and admire it all. Looked so much better then the big city with all the dirty streets and people walking with there heads down not looking anywhere but where they were going.

Sitting here in the den I am surrounded by Bud and Barney and of course the cats. They lay on the sun covered floor and snore. As the sun moves across the room they one at a time get up and follow the sun to the living room. As I write now all I have is Pepper at my feet and everyone else has left. If I tilt my chair back I to can get back into the sun and have to close my eyes. Feels good. I came in here to check on my plans for the remodel of the shanty and was interrupted by Buff the cat who sprawled across the drawing refusing to move until he received attention. Now that I think of it the drawling were in the sunshine and he was probably there for the heat and not me. Typical cat. Elmer was over and snooping around the shanty, I see his is under his canvas and he is not saying to much about it. The UPS truck was at his cabin twice this week so I think he too has been making some additions.

Funny thing about ice fishing, I don't know if it is just me or not but even though there is not an ice fishing opener, there sure is a lot attention to it. I don't remember people talking so much about fishing opener but ice fishing... Guess that could be a whole story right there to write about. Well I can get back to looking at the drawing and see where I have to make my.. I almost told you what I was going to do to the house! I better get back to work here. Enjoy your day, we have a spot for you here on the lake.. (20206)

[Bobby Bass]

Some more news in regards to the ice house fling. The ten entries spots have been filled and we are waiting on the paper work for the final spot. There was a question in regards to the shack but that should be taken care of before launch date. In the past we have awarded the prize for longest distance but this year we may have an accuracy award. A number of flingers have spoken about fishing off Root Beer island. With all the water we received in late fall it looks like the reef out that ways may hold fish this winter. As noted the angle on the sling will be adjusted in that direction. We will have a meeting to see if we will change to accuracy. There is some talk off the frozen flamingoes as a possible target as they are in that general direction. Here is the current list of "Lake Iwanttobethere Ice House Flingers"

(1) McGurk

(2) Nytelyter

(3) Dan and Grace

(4) Duckslayer

(5) Sparrow Club*

(6) Dug

(7) Skinny

(8) Elmer

(9) The Johnson Brothers

(10) ? Waiting on paper work

Bobby Bass will be on stand by in Alert One

Single numbers on the thermometer here at mid day. We are making ice. Dogs didn't want to go off the deck this morning so it is getting cold for them. Did see Dan and Grace taking there walk. Grace acts like it is the middle of summer. We did go watch the football game at the Sparrows Club last night and it was a good thing we did as there were several things wrong with there entry. They did not even have the wine rack secured to the wall and extra wallpaper on the sling wall is not what we consider "reinforcement" they have nine days to bring it up to launch standards. Sunshine Ray once again is saying we are in for some snow. Looks like this weekend will bring snow to the lake. We will keep you advised, enjoy the sun and the cold. From Lake Iwanttobethere. (20251)

[McGurk]

I can't say I'm looking forward to riding in Nytelyter's exhaust trail. Is that offer still open for being the first flung?

[Bobby Bass]

Quote:

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I can't say I'm looking forward to riding in Nytelyter's exhaust trail. Is that offer still open for being the first flung?

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You make a good point, it was also noted that you took your turn last year as our Alert One Shack and therfore you should be on top of the list this year. We have made the change.. Looks like I will be trading places with Dug and will be in the Alert One shack this year. Good luck!

[nytelyter]

Quote:

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I can't say I'm looking forward to riding in Nytelyter's exhaust trail

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now thats just wrong. ive been workin on a new design but will have the chili beans as a back plan of course. i will be shootin for the sw side of the reef on the steep drop-off. ... paul

[The_Duckslayer]

Wind tunnel testing is complete racer is good for speeds of up to ### MPH. (Security note: Actual specs can not be transmitted over unsecured lines) I firmly believe that the air foil on the house will now withstand a full pull on the bungee. Got the ski's so slick that if it is breezy I will need an anchor to stay in the starting gate.

The thing that I found the hardest to do is find good anchor points for the 6 point harness in an all plastic vehicle. I guess that I will just hope that all goes well and I do not need to rely on it to save my skin! I am so ready! Unlike some though I will leave the extra bean chili and dark beers for after the fling. Partly because I do not want to pollute the air and partly because that sudden take off inertia could wreck havoc on the digestive system and I will not have a change of clothes in the racer. Looking forward to seeing you all at the race. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[McGurk]

Thanks for the switcheroo, Bobby. I had a full breathing aparatus lined up, but didn't want to have the added weight of a compressed air tank. I hate to see that you aren't a full participant this year, especially with all of the work you've put in and all of the newcomer's lined up. On the upside, maybe this way you can jot a few notes down for everyone else to read about. Looks like the Duckslayer has done his homework too. He's pretty tightlipped about it, no matter how much prodding I give him over a cribbage board. That, and he seems to handle his liquor much better than me. Although, he's the one mixing the drinks most times; Virgins, maybe? All I can say is that I'm pretty sure he knows all about my entrant.

Speakin of, has there been a date set? This is more exciting that spring opener!

[Bobby Bass]

Nothing like winter arriving in one night, 12 inches of snow here at the lake. Furnace problems and thought I still had time to put the dozer blade on the tractor. Ice is still good in the bay out front of the Lodge so that is a good thing. Wind kept the ice pretty clear and made some nice drifts across the lake. Going to get cold tonight so we will be making more ice.

Still a go for the Ice fling on December 9th next weekend. Less then a week to make your last modifications. Remember you have to have your shanties at Dugs for inspection. Duckslayer, all I can say is Duct Tape. Remember you have to have a reinforced wall for the sling. So better put something behind that plastic. McGurk there is usually a pretty good cross wind at the top of the hill by the Pines, keeps the fumes moving so to speak.

Almost caught up here cleaning snow from around the cabin and will be going down to the Lodge to help out down there. Frank the plow driver has been busy working on the county roads so we might not have our access cleared out in time for the launch. Hoping no more snow comes before the weekend. Lots to do so I'll be away from the desk for awhile. Keep the chatter yup, I like hearing how the shacks are coming ! From Lake Iwanttobethere (20372)

[The_Duckslayer]

Don't let McGurk find out but the reason that I drink the Morgan cokes is cuz I can’t keep up with the big boys that drink the Jack and such. Jack and I have never been very good friends but me and the Capn’ can sail a long way and not get into trouble. Jack is not as bad as Jose though, he and I spent an entire weekend sick after a hootin and hollerin Friday night over in Italy. I am here to tell ya the one place you do not want to be ever is in a furniture store with a bad Tequila hangover, you tell the Lil Mrs whatever she wants to hear in order to get out of that stench, er I mean new furniture smell!

Took the liberty of dropping the shack by Dugs today. It is inside the big locked trailer, Dug has the key for inspection and is sworn to secrecy as to whatever he may see in there.

Lookin forward to Sunday! Is it a high noon start this year? You all take care… Keep working on those shanties! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Bobby Bass]

The end to a long day coming up here. Our two to four inches of snow became 20 inches of powder. Since I have several cabins around the lake to baby sit over the winter the day was spent moving snow. After moving almost 14 inches of snow on Sunday I have had enough of the white stuff for awhile. Still time for flingers to change over from runners to ski's as there is now snow on the lake in front of the Lodge. Granted it is nice fluffy stuff and it is going to be cold for the next few days so it may stay that way. Hoping we get some wind to move it off the lake. Hammering Hank and Skinny have been launching an old pontoon boat off the fling making a track down the slope. This is compressing the snow and we will have a good base for launching.

Yawn, need to hit the rack before I fall asleep here at the keyboard. More snow coming tomorrow night. Lots of plowing to do before launch day.. (20446)

[Bobby Bass]

Winter is here at the lake. Does not matter what the calendar says winter comes when it comes. Sometimes it might never really come. No snow and everything stays brown and dirty. Not to worry about that this year. Sunday night Sunshine Ray was right on and we received 12-14 inches of snow depending on where you live on the lake. Today Sunshine Ray is no where to be seen, he was calling for 2-4 and we received 20 inches of white fluffy powder. Are we complaining? Of course not. When Ray thinks it is safe he will come out from where ever he is hiding. I have several cabins to check on during the winter and helping Hank out with his as he works on the slope for the ice house fling. I spent most of the afternoon driving around the lake and got to watch as things started to disappear under the snow. Driving down Main Street I caught Big Earl outside of his store thumbs in his bib straps as two customers hagger over what appears to be the last snow thrower. He waves with a big smile on his face as business is good, I wave back knowing he has more throwers in the back garage, He did the same thing to me last year.

The town is white and clean. Frank the plow driver is a little over worked but he enjoys his work. Like a little kid he grins holding on to his wheel weaving in and out around the town that he knows like the back of his hand. His blade rolling fresh clean snow into long ribbons behind him. Now the window art on the shop windows do not look out of place. Christmas lights twinkling are reflected off the snow and the town gives off a nice glow. Icicles hang from roofs and pa is outside of his shop swinging at them with his broom handle. At the Dew Drop Inn the coffee pot is on. The bell on the door jingle's with the coming and going of customers. The rug soaked in melting snow. At the Take Your Time the pace has quicken as trucks with plows and snow throwers in the beds come in to get coffee and gas. Laughing men with beef jerky and hard candy head out to their trucks. Liquid money, there is plowing to be done and some extra cash for Christmas and the boat payment. Maybe that flasher for the ice house.

More snow this afternoon, again 2-4 inches and I am hoping that it is just that. Ice house fling in just a few days and it's going to be tuff to get everything in shape and ready in time. Winter is here, and it is about time.. From Lake Iwanttobethere (20467)

[Dan Thiem]

Had a talk with St. Grace about the ice harvest this year. Told how she has to really buck up like a good working group breed that she is. Here's her response.

[Bobby Bass]

A taste of the ice house fling, read it all on Sunday afternoon..You can see how excited Grace is!

Welcome to the Lake Iwanttobethere Ice House Fling, this story is a little long so you might want to pour your favorite beverage and sit back for awhile. Lake Iwanttobethere is known for it's ice town. Every year about this time when the ice is thick and the days are cool the town of Lake Iwanttobethere heads out onto the ice. A huge bungee cord was recovered from a company that had some problems and brought to the lake by the Lodge. In the beginning it was thought that if it was secured to the two big pines that shanties could be flung out on the ice with it. This saves a lot of work dragging shacks out on the ice and with the help of a few bottles of Wild Turkey and some Lodge fledglings, a few minor accidents and the rescue squad the first fling took place and is now history. We like to think we have gotten better at it and it has now become a place to be the second weekend of December. If you could not make it this year here is a somewhat accurate account of the event........

A clear, crisp and cool day for the launching of the Lake Iwanttobethere ice town. The talk of the town the past few weeks has been the fling and that a few of the ice houses to be launched are going to try and slip in behind Root Beer Island. In the past it was a great accomplishment just to survive the launch. Took a few years to get the kinks out of the launching. Some of the first houses had the sling go right through them. A few others went airborne and shattered after hitting the ice. Since then we have made great strides. We are down to having just the one fire truck and Doc Burriem on hand.. It used to be that staying upright and intact would bring a huge sigh and a polite round of applause from the crowd on shore. Lets face it in the beginning people came for the same reason that they go to auto racing, the crashes. Frank the county plow driver with the help of Hammering Hank and Skinny have done a fine job moving snow from our recent storms. They have moved the snow in to high banks and some people have already carved out advantage points to watch the fling. With sheets of plywood down for floors and their bbq's set up they have their own viewing boxes so to speak. The orange barrels have been taken from storage and placed along the shoreline and areas roped off for safe viewing the Fling. Old McDonnell has been running a shuttle service from the town to the Lodge using his sleigh. Filled with straw people are riding both ways and the kids are busy tossing each other off. His mules that he uses for logging in the winter huff and puff and clouds of steam rise from them. They love the attention and want to stay on the move. Besides a sleigh of kids is light compared to pulling a stump......... (20512)

[The_Duckslayer]

I am SO PUMPED! Like a kid waiting for Santa Claus! I just hope that my little contraption will hold together and that the wing will actually keep it from going airborne! Wind tunnel tests show that it should stay on the ice! For those of you that are coming I will have a 5 gallon thermos of hot chocolate and you can have as much as you like, well until it runs out! It is the good Land-O-Lakes stuff too! And if you look old enough and know the secret password (the word is goober) I will have a case of Baileys under the counter to assist in making that hot chocolate even better! No shenanigans either, I am a trained bartender and I will check your ID if ya look close! (Trained = I have done it a time or two before) I will have a heated viewing stand there for the LIL MRS so if ya get real cold you can try to schmooze her for a place to stand in there. Come on Sunday! Can’t wait to see ya all there! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[nytelyter]

I to am PRIMED for the event. hehe so to speak. i know that i will again be the talk of the town. when they see what i have instore for them again this year. with my connection with the girls from root beer island. and the scouting i have done in advance. it will truely be A DAY TO REMEMBER. now i am not into talking smack. well yes i guess i am into it hehehehe. you all better bring on your A game. good luck to all the flingers this year and remember its not all about the game. its how you play it. ... paul

[Dan Thiem]

Sounds like we all have some tricks up our sleeves for the event. This years fling is going to be great!

[Bobby Bass]

As I write this Hank and Skinny have been back for awhile. They have a new friend from the railroad named Freddie. Freddie is from North of here but has heard of the lake and always wondered what the big doings were when he would run the freight around the far side of the lake. He could make out the lights of the Lodge and in the winter he said he always wanted to visit the ice town. When he heard of our snow problem he called his dispatcher and told them he was shutting down for his 12 hour night and was turning the radio off. With help from Dug the snow thrower was taken off the front of the train and hooked up to the towns dozer. With a promise to return it in the morning Freddie was introduce to the Jones Twins and I can hear the roar of the thrower down at the access. I can't see anything as the snow is being tossed hundreds of feet into the air. Dug just appeared walking out of the falling snow like one of them snow creatures you hear about. He made it into the Lodge and was helped out of his coveralls. Shaking away he said that Skinny and Hank are at the controls and they will have the job done by morning. But they need more Turkey!

[McGurk]

Sooooo, I suppose I should get the roof rake out of the shed. With snow being moved like that, I hope the roof hold until I can get to it! I saw the "Passed" sign hanging on my shack, so it looks like I'll be in. I did have one other slight modification that I can't beleive I forgot to install: a cupholder that rotates all the way around and swivels almost as much. Maybe have to sneak in for a bit with a cordless scrw gun. Now looking at my overall picture, I might not have wanted to go with this design. I guess that is what we call field testing. Should be a good day for it if it arrives like this morning is shaping up! Bright and crisp are just the way I like it. I wear glasses, but I swear on mornings like these, I shouldn't need to.

I'll be walking the wife around town today and making a point to start as many conversations as I can, and get her more involved in the area. She's been a bit skittish being a born and bred city girl her whole life, and hasn't fully grasped that a person can survive without a hot shower every morning. The best part is the irony of the fact that her parents both grew up in the sticks, one of them not having running water at when they were young. Heck, my parents didn't have it for the first few months aftr moving up to northern MN, my Mom from Nebraska and My Dad from Iowa. How quickly we forget. Now, I do know that most all of the town has had this luxury for most of the last century, but it still makes you think; It sure is easy now. We do have the freezing pipes and the frozen septic tanks to worry about (hopefully not like last winter!). but imagine if making sure you had a winter's worth of firewood and a stocked fruit cellar were the things top on the list to do in the fall. I have to say; I think I would have liked the challenge.

On the the fling tomorrow! We'll be partaking in the eve's festivities, and hope all have a safe (yet eventful) fling! And Good Luck to Bobby, especially! Thanks again!

[Bobby Bass]

I hope this gets out to everyone I nearly forgot to tell all of our new flingers that there is a gathering at the Lodge tonight. With so many new flingers this year we forgot about the annual before flinger party. You and your better half's are invited to the Lodge for chili and Wild Turkey. Talk with past flingers about the do and don't of ice house flinging. There will be a short movie of past flings and some of the accidents are highlighted. If your spouse still lets you stay entered you will be given your 2007 arm patch and first aid kit. Hank and Skinny returned the snow thrower to the train this morning and the Jones Twins dropped Freddie off shortly there after. He looked somewhat tired. With a blast of the whistle the train was back on it's way. With the morning light the launch area looks like an arena. Snow is banked up around the launch site and the parking lot and launch glide area is clear. With the high banks and the sun shinning it is actually kind of cozy. Vendors are moving in setting up there tents and already shanties are being placed on the shoreline. After the fling those who dare will be tossed at a ¼ pull out on to the ice and when dark arrives others may be hauled out using four wheelers. Several of the houses have parties going on already and they will be spending the night.

Hank and Skinny have headed home for some well deserved rest. Hank wanted to stay but I told him that I will be around the Lodge today and will call him if anything comes up. Just past noon here and the Lodge is busy with members and visitors. All the shanties were at Dug's and all but one has passed inspection at this time. Tess was just here looking for Skinny, I thought that was kind of curious. Another cold one tonight but looks like it will be a sunny day tomorrow for the launch. Hope to see you here at the Lodge or maybe run into you in town. Lots of sales going on and lots of traffic. Christmas lights are on and lots of parking for tomorrow. From Lake Iwanttobethere (20588)

[Dan Thiem]

Definatley a crisp Fling Eve. The cold air robbed me of by breath as I step out of the lodge for a quick glimpse of the launch area. Peaceful looking for now but tomorrow will be more like a state fair. The spectators will be in full force making it more exciting for the contestants.

Just as I was about to go back into the lodge and make my toast to the event I noticed some movement near Nytelyers shack. Is was very quick and then it just disappeard. Wierd. As soon as I was ready to just write it off as a snow illusion it appeard again near my shack. Only this time it stayed still long enough for me to see it was my partner from last year The Great Gazoo. Area 51 loaned him and his technolgy to me last year so I could get the distant prize and receive the free road plowing service. But this year he didn't want to fling with me because of Grace. Seems little green men don't get along with dogs for some reason.

I hollared at Gazoo to get away from my shack and with a big evil grin he waved a #1 finger wave and shot off into the darkness. Hmmmm....

Well back into the warm fire and friends in the lodge. Raise your glass of Turkey and toast to this years fling. Here's to a safe and sucessfull launch to all!