The holiday season is a time that we usually get together with our families and do all the "stuff" that the holiday season entails. While I was busy doing all of that "stuff" for most of the past week and a half, I also found a little time to get outside and share some fishing with a bunch of great people. This update will show a few of the outings that I shared with several individuals the past few days. It is definitely a mixed bag of catches, misses, and laughs that I hope you enjoy.
On Friday the 28th I was fortunate enough to spend the evening on the ice with what I will call the "Engelman Clan." This group of gentlemen ranging as far as Oklahoma get together for the Holiday "stuff" every year, and then find themselves on the ice after anything willing to bite for an evening. This year I was fortunate enough to be the host of their ice fishing excursion, and it was a hoot. We mostly enjoyed laughs during our hours on the ice, however the night was weighted heavier on the side of the ones that got away, instead of the ones that we caught. 
We set up on pile of boulders out on Minnetonka for the walleye bite, and while we had many chances, the only walleye king for the evening was Erik who landed his first ever walleye and followed it up with his second. The fish were a bit on the short side, but gave us some excitement to go with the tales that are always shared when a group of fishermen sit in the shanty. I want to personally thank Paul, lil Scott, big Scott, Tony, Erik, and Patrick for all the fun. I would love to do it again any time!
Saturday we picked up camp and set the house on a new spot to find a different school of fish to harrass. While we didn't catch many numbers on that rock pile that night, we made up for it in size. I have to say thanks to Dingy for taking a cat nap on the top bunk at 6:30 (what a bum), because it meant that I had the rattle reel when that whopper decided to grab on. Sorry for the quality of the picture on this catch, but it wasn't quite thawed out when this fish came up the hole. The best part about it is that if you look closely, you can even see Dingy staring at what he could have had, from his sleeping bag on the top bunk (heehee). Also during our evening we shared a laugh when Pauly went outside for a smoke only to return to find his bobber down with a skimmer attached. Yep, that's what makes these trips enjoyable. 
The fish are the bonus. To see the expression on a grown man's face when he thinks he has a giant fish and you know that it's a chunk of metal. Priceless!
I also would like to give a shout out to a buddy of mine who landed his largest walleye to date that night in another house. Almost hitting the 10 pound mark, Luke almost put it on the wall but decided to release it for another fight. The best part was the excitement in the phone call that I received that told the whole story. By the way Bails, did you by any chance consume a beer or two in that ice house before you called me??? Geez was that a funny call at 1 AM. Classic!
New Years Eve day Pauly and I joined up with a bunch of buddies on a panfish excursion on a somewhat metro area lake. Wow is all that I have to say at what I was watching come through my hole. 
It is not very often that you can catch "Bulls" in the metro, but that is just what we did. Typically a lake anywhere within 150 miles of the cities doesn't have true "Bulls" swimming in it, but this one does. We didn't hit the pound mark, but 3/4 is huge for a bluegill, and we did bring them through the hole. Judging from the ones we caught, I do believe that there are pounders swimming out there, and I will be finding out soon! 
On this trip I have to say thanks to Pauly, Whorl, Bails, Hennen, Hernnamen, Sally, and D to the E for all the fun. Before it was all said and done, we battled everything from bass, pike, crappies and sunnies and brought home in the neighborhood of 65 fishies for the fish fry. Definitely some happy bellies after that New Years Day feast.
Well that sums up the majority of my excursions since I have sat at the computer last. Happy New Years to all of you, and I wish nothing but the best to each and every one of you. Here's to a great 2008! Until Next TIme, I think we will still try to keep on Livin The Dream this year!