New Year's Day!

    What better way to get in the mindset of a new year than a good amount of ice fishing?

Actually, first things first: making snowballs in the middle of a frozen pond.

     Some of the tools of the trade: An experienced ice fisherman like Lance Chadwick (in the upper left photo) to show how it's done, a power drill for the hole, a sled to carry the other equipment, and Copper, the golden retriever, to keep everyone company.

     In all seriousness, ice fishing really is a perfect way to start the year, being that fishing itself is a remarkable metaphor for life.  For one, you have to come prepared.  The tools you need are simple, but you need them.  Secondly, you need to be willing to face the cold, long hours it could take to catch a fish.  And thirdly, you need to lower your bait with the faith that what you came for is out there.  Because if you never cast out the hook at all, you'll never catch anything.