Does anyone else feel my pain?

yes, except I'm monitoring the river in Michigan

Yes. Totally.

Heading to TN on Monday and was hoping to fish the Clinch for trout. The big snows and rains have screwed that up. Going to be cold down there too but the trout would still be catchable if the water levels were ok. Bummed.

Good.....glad we have a support group going

I've talked twice a week for the last month to my guy in Michigan trying to get on the water. Early this week he said there was maybe a 4 foot wide opening down the middle of the river and that was it. Last year on one trip he and I anchored the boat for the wife to sit while he and I broke probably 25 years of ice in a small cove where the boat ramp was. It was the same day that we slid the drift boat down a pretty steep winding road that was covered with ice to get the boat in the river. Probably slid it 75 yards. Crazy, but we boated 3 steelhead that day. My point, those saugers and walleyes are in the river now just waiting for someone crazy enough.

^^^^^good point dave^^^^^

I'm heading south to TN the first time the water temps get to 50, and the flow is right. However, i hope the winter eases up on the folks down there. ALL the marinas are taking it on the chin due to the wet heavy snow. The ones that are not collapsing, are being sunk, taking boats down with it!!!! This is Spring Dock on Norris. Hickory Star, where I stay in still in one piece, but sinking……Makes my stomach turn!!!

ouch - hate that for them.

brutal

River is ready!

Gotta love rivers:)

Man I gotta tell ya,
All the issues around hunting in this state are making me appreciate how much I've missed fishing. I was a fisherman first and took up hunting as a teenager in early 80's. I love to hunt deer and especially birds, but it's really becoming difficult.
I've got a v-bottom out back I bought several years ago to use with my son. Didn't get around to it much. That's about to change.

^^^^Well said^^^^now go get your line wet this year.....alot:)

Wish l lived closer to Turtle Creek. May not be the fishery it once was, but has open water in the winter

HS, Get that boat back on the water!!! You won't regret it! It'll make you wonder why you quit!!!

Take it your headed North Dave??

Not this weekend, but next most likely. Don't want it to warm up too much because the melt might get the river raging and then the dang ice flows get crazy. They just need to maintain about 25 degrees as the high every day to get a consistent water temp and keep the ice where is it now.

Last time I was there it was frozen 8" thick at the ramp all the way out 100 yards!

Hs, that's why I enjoy ice fishing so much and bought a boat. Deer and ducks are getting harder and harder. Quality state fisheries are well worth using in the summer and winter! Hope your boat sees a lake this year!

Yeah, I'm gonna do a little work to my fishin boat. Been too busy the last few years but things are changing. Kids are almost raised. Fewer ball games to attend/coach.
I can't wait. Was looking at fly-in trips at the boat show. That's a "Bucket list" dream that will be checked off in 2016. Joined a conservation club to do some fishing...things are looking up! I'm grinnin from ear to ear just typing this

I hear ya!!! This is the first time in 11 years we don't have a kid in softball or baseball. Luke decided not to play so it looks like more fishin time. Free Spring?? Yeah man!!! Walleye at Summit is in danger. Whitebass run in Liberty a few times a week.

Gonna be fun!!!

As long as Luke is busy doing something...Good for him! Appears he's quite an outdoorsman. My son loves the outdoors as well. I believe one of the best things a parent can do, is introduce them to hunting and fishing.

I have Zero regrets about the time and money I spent on my children. So many people have them and drop them off at daycare when they are 6 weeks and one day old. My wife quit a great job to stay home and raise our two kids. I've coached them and been there for almost everything...just like the wife and I said we would when we decided to get married.
No bombs being built in my garage while we were at work.
My son is a freshman in college out of state on a baseball scholorship. Miss him dearly! But he came home to go hunting with me and tells me he loves me all the time. Daughter is a good little athlete herself, but really excels academically. Life is Good!

Can't wait till it warms up a little. Those "Eyes" are gonna be running before long