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Time to pack the bags for Tulsa - my 34th consecutive trip to a Bassmaster Classic.
The pros began practice there today (Friday), probing Grand Lakes O Cherokees, some 90 miles outside of Tulsa where the weigh-ins will be conducted.
With some nasty weather possible, that trip back and forth from BOK Arena could make things interesting. It was supposed to snow there this weekend but the forecast for tournament days calls for a warming trend (highs in low 50s) through next Thursday.
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Ice fishing has moved into high gear on several Michiana lakes although everyone is still urging caution when moving around.
As much as seven inches is being reported across northern Indiana and parts of southern Michigan as of today (Friday, Jan. 25), but the thickest ice remains on channels, bays and protected areas.
Although its been cold enough and makes ice nightly, the east winds at the forefront of the current cold spell left some of the main lake areas open longer. They have since frozen and become snow covered, so hazardous areas arent easily recognized.
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Negotiations are underway for the Indiana DNR to lease land from Indiana and Michigan Power (I&M) with hopes of constructing a small launch site at Nibbyville upstream from the 6 Span Bridge.
The land, east of CR 19 in Elkhart County, is the former Nibbyville campground on which I&M has been clearing and constructing towers for a new transmission line.
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Just when ice fishing was getting good, here comes the warm weather, wind and rain.
The week prior to this warming trend produced decent ice well mostly canals and ponds of 3 to 5 inches. Some of the main lake areas had less than that, especially those susceptible to wind.
How badly the warming trend and rain damages the ice remains to be seen, but anglers who do venture out should be extra cautious.
Its been a weird winter. On some lakes, like Eagle near Edwardsburg, Mich., guys have been moving around pretty freely on the main body. The same was the case on the backwaters of Webster Lake in North Webster, Ind.
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Ice fishing conditions have improved throughout Michiana although most of the main lake of big waters remains unsafe.
Anglers have been getting onto lake channels across northern Indiana and to a lesser extent in southern Michigan. Some smaller, wind-protected ponds also are being fished.
You would think that Kalamazoo area lakes would be more frozen, but sources say theyre still a few days away from being considered safe to walk on.
As of Thursday, Jan. 1, ice thickness varied on Michiana lake channels from 2 to 4 inches.
Remember, the DNR advises anglers shouldnt venture onto ice less than 4 inches thick, but some bold spirited anglers think nothing of fishing on less than that.
And some are falling through.