31 degrees at 7:00am. The temperature is going up about one degree every 15 minutes while I get ready and drive. I hope the WaWa I pass will be open. And it is. One more new years wish speant well.
Now if only this haze could burn off in the next hour, I'd be all set. The weather does call for partly sunny with the high in the low 40's.
Kirby's is only a bit frozen. I figure I can skid the boat across this small bit of ice. Then, worse case scenerio, call someone to pull me back across it later. It should be worth it. Right?
Right. Bad idea. The water in this side of the mill is very low. Below the ice is mud. I don't feel like getting stuck in that.
I'm going to the other side. I've never fished there before and don't have the highest of hopes. But I can get to the water easily.
Ok. Screw that. Less than an hour there was enough. The creek was blocked by fallen limbs around the first bend. I couldn't get far enough away from the dam to start fishing and stop white-water kayaking.
Back in the car my coffee is still warm. I'm going to head back to Barton Run and see if there is any chance of getting in there.
I get back to Barton Run and take a few shots at shore fishing from the dam and down by the non-frozen side of the bridge. I didn't catch anything but convinced myself I got a bite or two.
I decide to go home.
After some chores and some family time, it's suggested that I go back out. I decide to attempt getting the kayak into Barton Run near the bridge. There were a few spots that I saw as possible portage earlier. They just include a certain amount of risk that is worth weighing.
I get into the water and fish wherever there isn't ice for an hour or two. As per usual, it's my last effort that gets the only fish of the day. A nice sized pickerel. There wasn't a lot of fight because he hit close to the boat. But he was a big boy.
He's longer than my forarm and just as thick. Luckily for me my arm is not as cold and slimey. I decided to take a picture of his awefull mouth. I don't have many pictures that actual depict the reason for using the lippers.
It's tough to see, but there are quite a few little sharp teeth in there.
He goes home and so do I. With any luck my new fishing gloves will show up soon and the water will be less frozen next weekend.
-- :el
Location:Kirby's Mill
