HT It is pretty old not even a 2000 is it the one before that just called "The Clam"  but it looks like the 2k.  There is already plywood on the floor.   There is a dinner plate sized hole on one wall and I am trying to repair it.   I think a large iron on patch on both sides  is the way to go as I already patched a few smaller holes with iron ons  so we will see.  It was free so what the hay.
Ice show at Gander Mountain tomorrow we will see what they have.
 
Got about 10 inches last night and today, but the folks up north got it worse.   Totals from this 3 day event are in the 16 inch realm for Parish.
 
ps I am not counting my chickens, but the boiler seems fixed.
 

Gettin cold.  It is 6 degrees and falling.  Boiler is running and woodstove is stoked up.

Bottomed out at 4 degrees last night.   Now lets get ready for the widespread snow that is coming

Thanks to those that offered prayers and concerns for my sister. She's been taken off life support and is  passing peacefully . On a different note, since winter gets me down in general and I suffer from Seasonal Affect Disorder, I decided to put a lot more effort into playing music again. I forget there's no sun out.  I actually decided to do a small Christmas performance and am working with a friend on some guitar duo  jazz/blues recordings. Awhile ago, I mentioned I skipped a weekend on the SR to put the belongings of a Vt. ex-SEAL in storage, as he was in a program for PTSD and brain injury in New Orleans.  Well, both he and his wife are musically inclined and had a roomful of instruments, including  two  high end acoustic guitars they had bought in better times. . I brought all the instruments  home with me and stored them, as I didn't want them damaged  in cold storage. Nancy returned them yesterday, as they came up with a truck to move everything down to Louisiana.  They were so appreciative of what  we'd done, they gave us two great gifts. One is a standing invitation to visit and go redfishing which is prime on my bucket list.  Sightfishing for bull  reds out  on the gulf flats is something I've wanted to do for many  years. The other was  Nancy brought back and incredible Breedlove acoustic guitar that they insisted was better in my hands. Breedloves are  high end custom guitars made in  Oregon. I had sold one of my acoustics this fall to finance trips to the river. I kicked my self in the azz for doing it. Now one has returned to take its place. Nancy said they refused to take no for an answer, and forced it into her car. I'll think of the gesture every time I pick it up.
    You may notice, several  of the decisions made in that story revolved around the river. That's because it's become part of my life. I know most here  dislike the snow and wasting their time fishing for "dark" fish, but to me it still holds lots of  magic.  I'm hoping there's not too much ice build up mid-river, as the flows are pretty slow this coming week. Thursday for me. Looks to be moderate temps. We'll see.  3 degrees here this morning, with the snow on the way. I get to plow with an F-350 Super Duty with every option available. F'in space ship. That's what my friend the dairy farmer rewarded himself with for the 50 years of 90 hour weeks. Don't think I don't appreciate he lets me use it.  Hope everyone stays safe in the storm.

Charlie, Sorry to hear of your impending loss.  I prefer to view a loss as a "see you later" proposition rather than the finality of "good bye."  I hope and pray that you all find some semblance of peace.
Nice gesture for a well deserved act of kindness.  I took an adult education guitar course last Spring and looked at many acoustic/electric guitars.  Breedlove's and Larrivee's were at the top of my wish list.  Too bad I don't have the skill to justify such a purchase.  Loved the Taylor's, Martin's, Gibson's and a host of other too.
 

For me its not that that I have any thing against fishing over dark fish, I will fish for them all winter long, its that when I can do it 5 minutes from home a drive that could turn into a 5 hour white knuckle he11 trip or worse, a death trip, is not in the cards.
 
Post pics.
I think I can speak for us all on that issue.
 

Charlie,sorry to learn of your loss.Hope you get out there and find your peace on the river Thursday.
Snowing for a couple hours now and expected to end later tonight,might get some freezing rain at the end.My Honda 9.9 HP,two stage,self propelled on tracks snowblower  will get another work out with this.Tried the plow thing when I moved in here 20+ yrs ago but it was a disaster because of the terrain and configuration of my driveway.the snowblower does the job better for me.

 Clint, I hope your boiler behaves, I checked over both of mine and so far.....
I sold my Viking shelter, it really needed a snow machine to pull it. It was alright for 100 yds. Then it became like football practice.  I'm going to use a couple of Easton aluminum tent poles from a high quality dome I wore out, and stretch an emergency blanket over it for a wind break and heat reflector.  Back when I iced it a lot after pike, I never bothered, as we moved too much and were never inside.  Ice is sketchy here. I walked out just a little ways on a private pond I have access to, and as far as I can tell it's about 2"-3". The bigger water around me is still  partially open. We got about 10" last night. It was  fairly light and plowed and shoveled easy. I might try the pond this afternoon if I get brave. Lots of nice perch and crappie. I do have a weather question. Do you think it would be wise to change my day on the river to Wed?  I see Weather Underground calls for rain next Fri.  I'm afraid they'll start running at 1,000+  on Th. to make room. I think the 335 will be out the window before Fri.  Make sense?

We got about 7" of snow and then it changed to sleet for a couple hours.So this morning when I left Mollie out to relieve herself she started ice skating on top of the snow,she's 75#,and I knew I was in for it clearing the driveway.The Honda snowblower took it on and did a good job but it took twice the time it normally does.The hardest part was the shoveling the spots that the blower can't reach,that really put my endurance to the test,I was soaked with sweat when it was finished.Now it's time for more football!
 
Hope you get into them Charlie!

Charlie my deepest sympathy to you and your family . I'm sure your sister will find peace and be in a much better place.
I'm glad you feel the way you do about the River and hope it continues to bring many more good memories .
I'm just burned out on it and maybe some day the excitement will return. I'd still like to find the property I'm after in that area but it has to suite my needs other then the fishery.
That said :
Well the weather, about 12" snow fell over night and the ride home at midnight was rough. Felt like crap and rolled out of bed around 11am this morning. Funny how I get up early for hunting / fishing but sleep in on work detail.. Lol
Plowed right up until 2 pm then jumped in truck for work. I will have to finish up tomorrow .
Finally the weather has taken its toll on the equipment here at work. The company will not put any $$$ into fixing things and basically use us as laborers to clean up all the aftermath . I have been having to clean ( shovel) this tail pulley located underground every 4 hrs , every day for about 2 months because they won't put money into correcting the problem.
Well today finally the belt which is the life line of the plant is sitting on the ground in pieces, full of stone I might add. YES !!!!! Every 2nd floor desk jockey is here now and demands to know how this happened. I looked one guy straight in the eye and said " look in the mirror azz hole "

Have a great night folks !!
Peace & Tuna

Rich and Charlie,next Sept./Oct. we can find some excitement at my "secret" spot....bring a net 'cause we'll need it.
However,maybe April can be a prelude?

Now I'm back to Thursday. Tomorrow it's suppose to be lousy in the late afternoon and evening  around here and west, so the going would start slow .  Hopefully, the flow prediction will stick.  Fat zero  for tonight here, too.
  Jack, them dropbacks wouldn't  stand a chance.  Long as it ain't running 5,000.  How much snow is around the river? More than 2'? 

I'm going to forgo the ice fishing tomorrow as my kids want to go wabbit hunting instead. Maybe they will be out pre storm but somehow with the deep snow I bet we will be the ones shot by the end of day.

Just an FYI :
A little late for Charlie but Clint , if you make or put that clam on a sled it will pull much easier. I made a " smitty" sled out of skis and 2 2x4's . It pulls very easy and I'm even going to use the sled for the big flip over.

Stay warm guys, I love the cold but not the snow

Man, trying to catch up with the board...

Charlie, seems like karma visits you often. Awesome to hear your playing music. I'd venture to say clints pops is right about the Altmar area. A settled 2-2.5 foot seems common. Wind drifts from Saturdays storm are pretty intense in certain areas. County was out today with a massive snow blower on front of a loader removing snow on Pulaski. Saturdays snow really packed things down but it looks like February at the moment and it seems to snow everyday for about 3 weeks now. Saw some guys over the weekend gearing up to fish town while I came past the bowling alley. Had to giggle to myself as the river was slushed right up. Charlie on my opinion I don't think you have to worry about water flows. Have yet to check the upper res area but want to soon. Heard there's been up to 7 foot of snow fall in some parts. Seen something about possible totals of 16" by Wednesday night. Last night was an easy 8... and ive definitely learned to not always trust the radar models. let it snow let it snow let it snow :)

db, you need to get into those snow machine clubs bro.. I had a 1971 homeolite once ..lol
Keep the snow up there and keep that res filled for the big water in spring , ugh..
It might seem a positive if 500-750 flow happened , like the old days of open the gates and flush the slush..
 
Well it finally hit the sub zero temps here .. Right now it's -2 and expected to -7.. Sure makes ice but snow insulates some ..Good for the big deep laker waters but not so much for the just froze small lakes.. Things for us water walkers can be scary in these situations..
Ah yes , the moon lit night against the snow however is nice..  Bunny hunting in the am (heck it is now) will be an adventure .. Sitting in a heated shanty on ice sounds better to me but kids will be kids.. They must live and learn.. Some day they will be old farts too...lol
 
Be well guys and stay safe..