[ocuyler]

After a week of 70's and 80's in South Florida last week, I was unpreparred for the reality of several weeks of winter remaining in Western New York State.

Friends with island cottages are walking across the ice on the St. Lawrence River to hug their summer getaways and hard core fishing buddies are either in the Keys or ice fishing through 12" to 20" solid water on the bays ajacent to Lake Ontario. The record for Yellow Perch is what, 3 pounds and change?

I actually broke down and went snowboarding with the kids this week. Thank God for helmets. I'm afraid to even board any of the SeaCraft collection because at 15 degrees, I might crack the gel coat under the extra winter fat we all know and love.

March is definately a winter month for us. The ice will clear out of the launch ramps by April. The month of April brings the early brown trout into the shallows to feed on the early spawning baitfish, closely followed by Kings, Steelhead and Lakers. That pilothouse would be good as the water temperature struggles through the 40's.

So, I guess we're looking at 4 to 6 weeks. Better than 4 to 6 months, I suppose. Time to hammer down on finishing up the indoor projects, cause I'm ready to spend some quality time on a SeaCraft. Honey, home stretch on the honey-do list.