Let's have a general winter thread.

[northernalpine]

Currently splitting time between three critical efforts:

1. Chase birds. January is as good as it gets in my area.
2. Get the kids outside for no other purpose than to just be kids, outside.
3. Invest time knocking out projects for the wife to rebuild the necessary relationship currency for next season

 

[northernalpine]

Funny side story on that bathroom remodel:

My neighbor’s son was looking for some side work and asked if I needed any labor. He’s a good kid without much by way of hand skills and this seemed like a good opportunity to teach him a couple things. I had him help me tape and paint, wire the lights, get that big ass vanity up a flight of stairs and get the sinks hooked up, hang the mirrors, set the toilet and had him cutting tile. He learned fast, saved me a pile of time, and cost me a few extra bucks and a couple cheeseburgers. Awesome.

On the last day I asked him to put in the towel hanger and toilet paper holder while I put some tools away. Notice anything?


God bless that kid. I came upstairs and he was so proud that he got them knocked out in record time. It took about 3 minutes before I could get my laughing under control enough to tell him he did great but was about to learn how to do some small drywall repairs and paint touchups. It took all of 20 minutes to get it right and we both had a good laugh afterwards.

 

[Mr. October]

Post hunting season is ice fishing season!
Early ice walleyes. Jan 1st trout opens in the boundary waters wilderness followed by regular trout season a couple weeks later. Crappie bite should be firing up soon. Finally turkey season will be here before we know it.

"Ice fishing" for me would involve drinking a frozen margarita on a beach somewhere while surf fishing.

 

[Mr. October]

It was 15 here this morning. So we're doing our annual cold-weather clothing check. Supposed to snow this weekend. I know some of you guys get snow twice in September every year, but we do not. It's a big deal to us.

On a bright note, I dreaded feeding animals this morning, but when it's this cold I try to do most of it, at least in the mornings, so the kids don't have to, and by the time I got properly dressed for the cold, I downright enjoyed being out in it for a bit.

My weather center thermometer says -0.5 this morning.

 

[Ringbill27]

"Ice fishing" for me would involve drinking a frozen margarita on a beach somewhere while surf fishing.

When you live in northern Minnesota, a beach vacation lasts a week then you are back to the frozen everything. Got to get outdoors as much as possible.

My weather center thermometer says -0.5 this morning.

I had -22 yesterday morning and -4 right today. With colder temps and windchills coming this weekend. In the tough part of the year for boredom. So fishing on the random +32 day is still 50 degrees warmer than what it’s been.

 

[Mr. October]

When you live in northern Minnesota, a beach vacation lasts a week then you are back to the frozen everything. Got to get outdoors as much as possible.



I had -22 yesterday morning and -4 right today. With colder temps and windchills coming this weekend. In the tough part of the year for boredom. So fishing on the random +32 day is still 50 degrees warmer than what it’s been.

When I heard ICE was in Minnesota I thought they meant a government agency.

 

[Chris in TN]

"Ice fishing" for me would involve drinking a frozen margarita on a beach somewhere while surf fishing.

I get that cabin fever is a thing, but at no point in life have I ever been so desperate as to consider ice fishing.

For what a tent and all those poles and augers cost, I can drive to the beach.

 

[Ringbill27]

I get that cabin fever is a thing, but at no point in life have I ever been so desperate as to consider ice fishing.

For what a tent and all those poles and augers cost, I can drive to the beach.

When you live in a place where it’s frozen for 5-7 months a year the cabin fever would make anyone do things some would consider crazy. You’ve got ice fishing and/or drinking. Don’t curl (anymore), play hockey or bowl. Ice fishing it is. I will point out the second deer I shot on December 13 of the 2024 season was -11 out when I get her. This year was around 0 when I got my deer.

I’d probably spend that and some on gas driving or tickets flying to the nearest beach that isn’t frozen. And once then equipment is bought its not like I buy a new set of equipment every year.

 

[KurtR]

When you live in a place where it’s frozen for 5-7 months a year the cabin fever would make anyone do things some would consider crazy. You’ve got ice fishing and/or drinking. Don’t curl (anymore), play hockey or bowl. Ice fishing it is. I will point out the second deer I shot on December 13 of the 2024 season was -11 out when I get her. This year was around 0 when I got my deer.

I’d probably spend that and some on gas driving or tickets flying to the nearest beach that isn’t frozen. And once then equipment is bought its not like I buy a new set of equipment every year.

Its tough to beat fresh walleye from under the ice. We catch a fair amount of catfish in the winter and had a few southern folks up here kept a couple and cooked them and they dont want any of them from that warm water down south any more

 

[*zap*]

Winter is a great time for camping 🏕

 

[Ringbill27]

Its tough to beat fresh walleye from under the ice. We catch a fair amount of catfish in the winter and had a few southern folks up here kept a couple and cooked them and they dont want any of them from that warm water down south any more

Hard to beat cold water fish. All of them taste better through the ice.

 

[skmoore108]

It's been 75F and sunny in Southern AZ for days...down to 60 for a high this weekend though so we may have to get the winter jackets out, haha