January 31st, 2024
Ok, we’ve monitored this sketchy ice the entire hard water season. Drilling more holes to check ice this past week than in a typical season. Every day plus or minus in thickness. Ice firms up, then gets spongy, then firm up again. But not for long. Today I took a group off the ice after a couple nights in one of our ASST Drop Down Wagons out on Center Reef. I’m glad their stay concluded today. After today’s brilliant sunshine and the temperature attaining 40° plus, the ice is kaput for machine travel. There are just too many soft spots. I came upon a small spot with 3 1/2” of ice under slush out in the middle of the Bay. It was surrounded by 6-8” of ice. The forecasted overnight lows should freeze up decent over the weekend. We’ll see if it’s enough. Lotta ice out there though, just might be a bit before we’re running machines again.
Tonight’s picture of my daughter Brooke fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. At least we’re colder than that day. Happy Birthday Trout!
Increasing your odds,
-Blade
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