I trust everyone had a joyous and safe holiday season. We’re a month into the new year and it’s time to start thinking about spring. Up here in Hayward, that’s all we can do – is just think about it. I can report there is about 40 inches of snow on the ground (forget about some of the heights of the plow piles) and it’s supposedly going down to 25 below actual tonight. The silver lining you ask? The frigid temperatures we’ve had this past week will help firm up all the slush and snow on our ice. Ice anglers have had a very trying time in regards to accessing our lakes. I’ve heard many refer to it as nightmarish – nothing but stuck sleds, ATVs and trucks. That’s the good news very cold weather brings. The exponentially rising number of ice fishing enthusiasts, our ice fishing industry and local economies are helped enormously. I might have to get out on the ice myself now.

Speaking of getting out, I was in Fort Meyers Beach, Florida earlier last month and managed to get a little inshore fishing in. Pictured is hall member Adam Campbell (aka Corporal Agarn) and myself with a couple of very respectable redfish and snook. We were fishing the Captiva Island area with Captain Ozzie Lessinger. Ozzie is a full time guide who has an endless amount of energy. I highly recommend him. Look him up at www.fishsanibelcaptiva.com.

Now, speaking of Fort Meyer’s Beach, yes Hurricane Ian did its best to destroy this beautiful beach community, but it is coming back strong. FMB STRONG! as the numerous banners exclaim all over town. Every day multiple businesses, watering holes, restaurants and services are re-opening. The scars of Ian my remain for awhile, but the spirit of the area remains as vital as ever. I plan to be down there again next January!

Our staff has about 2 months to complete our “winter activities” and then it’s museum and grounds opening day on April 15th. Do you hear me Mother Nature? You have an awful lot of snow to dispatch in about 10 weeks.