Happy Halfway-Through-the-Heart-of-Winter Day!

[Swamp Girl]

I think of December, January, and February as the heart of winter, so January 15th is Happy Halfway-Through-the-Heart-of-Winter Day for icebound Yankees. Hooray for us. It's downhill from here. Be sure to wish someone you love, like, or barely tolerate up north a Happy Halfway-Through-the-Heart-of-Winter Day! 

[pdxfisher]

Days are getting longer!

 

I wish I could fish this weekend but we will have lows in the mid-20s and a strong East wind in the Gorge. Those are a big no-go for me.

[Swamp Girl]

6 minutes ago, pdxfisher said:

I wish I could fish this weekend but we will have lows in the mid-20s and a strong East wind in the Gorge. Those are a big no-go for me.

 

That wind and that temp are a big no-go for everyone other than @T-Billy and @Bluebasser86. 

[pdxfisher]

Those guys like fishing more than I do

 

I fished a few times out of my kayak when it was in the 20s. Rudder lines froze up and it was tough to make it back to shore. After a couple of those trips I gave up fishing when the air temp is well below freezing.

[Bass Rutten]

Ugh! Tell me about it, I'm dying over here, It's supposed be a brutal 62 degrees down here in Florida tomorrow 

[T-Billy]

 

3 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

That wind and that temp are a big no-go for everyone other than @T-Billy and @Bluebasser86. 

I don't chase bass when those winter winds blow, but these big girls are another story.

We're a couple weeks into the deep freeze here in OH. Saw lots of ice fisherman out yesterday. The extended forecast looks like this pattern is gonna hold for a while. We're getting a real winter here this year. I'm hoping to be on the water by mid March.🤞

[Susky River Rat]

I’ll be ice fishing this weekend. Man, I’m dying to be out on the boat with my doggie and dad though. 

[Pat Brown]

Little slivers of warmth moving things in the right direction this weekend- ice on the lakes and ponds should melt in rain Saturday - but night time lows still really low and then Mon-Wed next week, we have a high of 35 with lows in the teens and wind chills of 'the lakes are gonna freeze over again probably'

 

If I was a ground hog - I wouldn't even be looking for my shadow yet.

 

Since I'm a bass hog - I'll probably be trying to catch bass that aren't there until they are!

[GRiver]

9 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

Happy Halfway-Through-the-Heart-of-Winter Day! 

Here’s to you @Swamp Girl, you can’t see me but I’m tipping my coffee cup. 
You made half way through, and here I am grumpin’ because it was 48* this morning. Going to 37* tomorrow, I’m waiting for the “ state of emergency “ broadcast”, bet all the peanut butter and bread are already gone …. Dang it!

[Swamp Girl]

6 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

Ugh! Tell me about it, I'm dying over here, It's supposed be a brutal 62 degrees down here in Florida tomorrow 

 

Cold is relative. I lived in Wisconsin for 30 years and we could have a week of double digit below zero nighttime lows. Then one day it would reach 20 degrees and feel balmy. However, if it hit 20 degrees in early November, it felt frigid. Florida's so hot that 62 degrees could feel chilly. We've been chilly long enough in Maine that I've adapted. Whereas a month ago, I would don a coat to take the pup outside, now I no longer bother and come early March, it might still be cold, but I and many other Mainers will be coatless on our errands. You'll even see some shorts in Maine on 30 degree days.

 

Thanks, @GRiver!

 

@Pat Brown: I continue to be surprised by your ice and cold air.

 

@T-Billy: In your photo, you look like you're half man, half mountain.

 

9 hours ago, pdxfisher said:

Those guys like fishing more than I do

 

Nah, you got the fishin' fever just as bad as the rest of us. Here are the reasons that @Bluebasser86 and @T-Billy fish the winter:

 

BB86 wrasslers bad guys for a living. Father Winter is just another bad guy.

 

T-Billy had one of those genealogy tests done and discovered that his great-grandmother on his mother's side was a griz. He wears his hat to honor his griz blood. 

[TnRiver46]

This picture was taken at 5:59 pm on Monday 

 

and this was at 6:37 with a full moon rising, getting dark but still a sliver of daylight 

[T-Billy]

4 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

@T-Billy: In your photo, you look like you're half man, half mountain.

Nah. 6'/210#. Could stand to lose about 10#, but that takes hard work and discipline. This weight is easy to maintain and allows for moderate consumption of bacon and donuts.😂

[Lottabass]

@Swamp Girl  Happy HTTHOWD!  People say that the winter break is good because it gives you time to reflect, plan, read, organize tackle, watch football, etc. 

I don't buy it!  I'd rather be fishin'!!!  🥶

[Swamp Girl]

@T-Billy, gaze upon this image to help you with your ten-pound goal:

 

 

Thanks, @Lottabass! HHTTHOWD is a beautiful holiday!

[T-Billy]

That's what I'm talking about @Swamp Girl!!! 😂 I can get down to 200# easy enough, I'm just not willing to put in the effort to maintain it. Staying at 210# is a piece of cake 🎂 literally!!!

[little giant]

14 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

Ugh! Tell me about it, I'm dying over here, It's supposed be a brutal 62 degrees down here in Florida tomorrow 

And a 15- 20 mph north wind! Roland says Florida bass don't bite if water temps below 65°. I believe him, been skunked last 3 times. They're sittin deep in the weeds beside the fireplace!

[Swamp Girl]

1 hour ago, little giant said:

They're sittin deep in the weeds beside the fireplace!

 

Is a fireplace cover or structure? @Glenn, do you know?

 

[gim]

May 10 is the day I can legally bass fish again in 2025 (ice fishing doesn't count, sorry) so I'm not that close to halfway yet.

 

But, the boat show is coming up in a week and its something I look forward to in the middle of winter.

[Swamp Girl]

8 minutes ago, gim said:

May 10 is the day I can legally bass fish again in 2025 (ice fishing doesn't count, sorry) so I'm not that close to halfway yet.

 

But, the boat show is coming up in a week and its something I look forward to in the middle of winter.

 

I like boat shows too. Enjoy, my Gim friend!

[Bankbeater]

We've made it up the mountain, now we have to go down the other side.

[Swamp Girl]

45 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

We've made it up the mountain, now we have to go down the other side.

 

Yep. I suggest one of these, since gravity is on our side:

 

[padlin]

1 hour ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

Is a fireplace cover or structure? @Glenn, do you know?

 

What’s the bet he’ll have a video about fishing old firewood out by tomorrow?

[detroit1]

Happy half to all it concerns. I can't believe that after 50 or so years of going to the boat and fishing show, that this year i bought Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Always would spend near/over a hundy. Looking forward to Gim's photo of sitting in a $120,000 bass boat.

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

15 hours ago, gim said:

May 10 is the day I can legally bass fish again in 2025 (ice fishing doesn't count, sorry) so I'm not that close to halfway yet.

 

But, the boat show is coming up in a week and its something I look forward to in the middle of winter.

It’s gonna be a loooong 3 1/2 months.
I sure think it’s silly that we still have a closed season at all, just set a catch and release only period from ice out to June 1st if you want to protect spawning fish. 

[Swamp Girl]

13 hours ago, detroit1 said:

Looking forward to Gim's photo of sitting in a $120,000 bass boat.

 

I'm guessing this year it'll be a $130,000 bass boat.

 

5 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

It’s gonna be a loooong 3 1/2 months.

 

You guys have to wait tooooooo long, for sure. I like your idea of C&R instead of NO FISHING.