It is early March ,well after midnite it will be.   I went out to check on some of the local lakes in my area and I was really pleased to see the ice on it's way out.  Of course I took a rod along with me and a snack bag of a few lures that I could slip into my pocket.  Did I catch any fish ?  I am sorry to say no, but it was worth the trip.  I got some well needed exercise walking around the lakes where the water was open and got a few cast in.  I visited six lakes and they all had some open water reaching the bank so I took my time walking along making cast and counting down to search the different levels.  I used a ultra light rod with a open face reel and took along a snack bag of lures...these were 2 inch grubs of different colors and a gold and silver spinners that I could switch off.  I took a couple of different size jig heads one to sink alittle deeper quietly and the other to sink slower.   OK, one was a 1/16 oz. and the other was a 1/8 oz.  Actually it is a good time to go out especially if you could find a area that has some current running into the lake such as a run off from drianage or a creek running into the lake.   This stirs up food and also seems to make the water somewhat warmer.  Another thing which will  be ideal for bank fisherman and women is to use a slip bobber with your favorite wax worm , bee moth or mousey even crappie minnows would be a good choice.   All you need is a 5 gal. bucket to sit on and later carry your fish out and your rod and reel .   I don't mind walking the banks and fish during this time of the year because the weeds are down and it is easier to get to the water and make your cast.  I have caught some really nice fish doing this, but when the ice is finally gone I head to my boat and get out on the lakes.     Personally I rather fish from a boat but not everyone has a boat and so why should you stay home during this time you too can get out and fish.  Make sure you have your insulated cover alls on and a hat and some thin gloves and if you are really adventurous then put your coffee jug in your bucket along with a sandwich or snack and stay out for the day.  I can't say what is happening up in the North but I believe the ice is still on most places maybe not on some of the larger larger lakes that are creek or river fed.   You northern guys and gals will have to report on that.     But as for the southern lakes the ice is on it's way out and it won't be long if we can get some sun and at least 40 degree weather and warmer nights.  Don't just sit there and wish you could go fishing , get out there and explore your favorite secret fishing holes and see if the ice is on it's way out and be sure you take along a rod and a snack bag of lures....the exercise is good for you after being shut up for the long winter days and the fresh air will do you good and it sure helps the Ole' Cabin Fever Blues.....see ya out on the lake, good fishin'

The ice in Sullivan and Greene Counties are rotten and should not be fished on.  I am sorry to report that we have had some fisherman accidents.  One didn't make it and the other was ok.  One fell thru the ice and the other tip over in a boat... It isn't safe to try to put a boat on the ice it can still turn over and fisherman can be trapped under the ice.   We have had some warm weather with some rain at least he weather temperature was above freezing and there was thawing taking place.  If you must try your luck let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be home.  Better yet take someone with you.   It wouldn't hurt to take a rope along with you and tie yourself off to your truck or a tree.  But remember it doesn't take long for hypothermia to take place and this will take your life.  Spring is not far off now and it would be advised to wait until ice out to enjoy a day on the lake instead of being in the lake.   If you really can't wait to go fishing then go to a power plant with its warm water and fish there at least it will be safer then testing your luck with the ice.  I hope all will be safe and make sure you use caution if you are going to go to the ice..."BE SAFE"  See ya on the lake and I hope not in it.

Here it is toward the end of February and the snow is still here and all the lakes are covered with ice.  You can't go fishin' cause the ice is to thin and it is right down freezin' out there.  No amount of coffee would keep you warm. I just got the "Winter Time Blues".   They call it the Cabin Fever and I really got a big case of fever.  I sit in my man cave and look out the window and wish I could be fishin' and can just feel that big ole' Bass chompin on my offerings.  And then I come back to reality and see snow, cold and the wind just laffin' at me knowing that I have the FEVER BAD.  So...I get on the computer and look up stuff about fishin' and find those video programs and U tube and what happens, I begin to have flash backs of last years fishin' trips and all the good times.  Again I find myself back into  reality with the FEVER.  I went to Bass Pro Shop down in Clarksville,Indiana and it really didn't help things.   I think I walked around in some kind of Zombie trance with blood shot eyes and all.  Again the attack of the FEVER prevailed.   So , I went up to Indy to the Boat and Sport show ...I found myself browsing thru the fishin' trip section , I think I went blank or blacked out or somethin' cause when I came to I found myself starin' at the picture on the back of the booth of Kentucky Lake and all the fish people were showin'.  Then reality struck again and yes I had "The Fever."   I found my way back home somehow with visions of fishin' in my head and I lost a vast amount of time somewhere on I -70 because I wasn't driving I was on the casting deck of my Dyna-Trak  .   I will tell you folks I don't know how I got home.  But , let me tell ya there is a cure well maybe not a complete cure but a way to ease the "FEVER"...I started to clean up my rods and reels in my man-cave making sure all my reels were clean and lubed and new fishin' line on all of them and then I began to go through all my tackle boxes cleaning them and cutting off all the old line I left tied to the lures...I was to busy catchin'  fish to take the time then to cut it off.  I then began sharping hooks and reorganizing all my fishin' boxes and fishin' bags of worms  and replacing the ones I was low on.    I got my boat serviced and detailed ...you know you got to look good when you are out there fishin'.   I then began to make sure my rain gear was clean and in service condition letting it air out on a hanger.   The next thing I did was put together a first aide kit so I will know that I will have plenty of band-aides for my fingers after I get a few jabs from the fish fins when they  get even with me for puttin' the steel to their faces.  I make sure I have fresh batteries in a flash light and extra batteries to put in the boat.    I  also check  to see if I have a throw cushion in case somebody  gets so excited in catchin' a bigin' and falls in the lake.   While that is on my mind I check and make sure that my floatation jacket in in good shape and that some mouse didn't try to ruin my day by chewin' holes in it.   I am sure some CO guy would love that .   I even go as far as to make sure I have extra pins for my props just in case I am chasin' a big ole gal in the shallows and break the pin.   It is a good time to make sure you have all your permits and fishin' papers in order so you won't forget when the ice is out and you are racin' to your favorite secret fishin' hole and find out the embarrassin' way that you don't have them.    Well I feel somewhat better and the FEVER isn't so bad now but I still can't wait to hear the sound of my Yamaha and Dyna-Trak runnin' down that lake lookin' for the big ole' gal to pull on my string and make my day....Hope you can find some comfort in dealin' with the Cabin Fever Blues and a Good Fishin' season to you....See Ya on the lake