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18" in Hayward and 17.2" in Rice Lake .

I used to be a die hard MN opener guy. But like Dave said the weather is usually terrible. Windy, cold and snow/sleet is not uncommon on the opener. That is just not fun to fish in anymore. Must be gettin old.

It's fun listening to you guys go on about the opener. Brings back lots of memories.

I doubt there was a moment I looked forward to more than The Opener. and the ones I remember best and most warmly were the coldest, most fishless Openers. I'm damn glad to have been there, freezing in an aluminum boat, busting ice with an oar to get across the lake, hoping my minnow was still useable after a strike or a snag because I couldn't bear to stick my hand in the minnow bucket again (but I always did anyway), and hauling up the anchor getting even colder. No, those were the best times and I'd do them again in a second if I could, and especially if my dad was there. Probably the best times we ever had.

Know what you mean Brent.

The last opener I fished with my son before he headed West was in 1990. It had snowed 6 or more inches several days before opening day and stayed cold.

We drove up to Price county to trout fish on Price Creek. The temp was below freezing when we got there and I had to constantly clear the ice out of the rod guides. I started out using spinners, but decided to try crawlers around 9 AM. When I opened the container and grabed a crawler I got a big surprise, it was frozen stiff. If I remember right my son caught 2 trout and I caught none, but we still had a great time.

BTW...This is the first post from the new computer.

Brent, how is your wifes new Escape working out? My son picks his up today (Company car).

I vaguely remember one opener when the weather was stunningly good and we caught a ton of fish that year. But you know, I don't have a single visual memory of it. Not a single remarkable event except that it happened and it was fun. All the important memories are tied into those cold, miserable fishless years. Damn I miss that stuff.

Bill, the wife really really likes the new Escape. I drive it about once or twice per week, but I am liking it too. It isn't exactly powerful, but has enough zip for passing cars on two-lane with ease and I do that a lot when I drive it.

Mileage was not what I had hoped at first but it improved quite a bit. I don't know if that is breaking in (I thought new engines do not require a break-in period anymore) or if turbos really suck more gas when the weather is cold.

Sort of cold now ~34F and it finally quit snowing after over 30 hrs of nonstop snowfall.

I've had several people tell me they didn't get advertised mileage until around 5K miles. Different makes were involved.

Read an article on the Ford 4 cylinder eco-boost engines that stated that you have to use premium fuel to get the maximum advertised HP.

I never get advertised mileage in any vehicle. But I did hope to get better at first. I'm happy now, so all is good.

That is a very good point Brent. I do have some GREAT memories of those cold, fishless days...

Like waiting at the access for the snow to let up a little so we could see well enough to back the boat in. Once in, the white caps were splashing over the side of the boat and we laughed and laughed at how crazy it was. Blinding snow. Strong NW wind and we are out in the middle of a lake because it was...The Opener.

Thanks for putting a positive spin on it.

our season never closes here, but I remember what "opener" was like. my friends and I used to be out there at midnight. I remember when I was about 15 or so night fishing at grandpa's lake and it was warm, like 60 that night. Then the next year I was huddled against a bridge with snow flying thinking WTH am I doing here?

Don't miss opener at all. I don't even fish much anymore really, and I work next to a reservoir that is one of the best in the state. sad

Me and the little guy got a big bird down this morning. 20'ish pounds, 9 3/4" beard, 7/8" spurs, 42 yards. I like them closer but he was nervous from a lot of movement and excited chatter from a 7 year old.

Working on bird number two now and trying to get BIL his

Good going Tom. Hope you guys can put 2 on the ground.

Brent, sons' Escape has the 1.6 eco-boost also.

SWEET !

All those turkey pics I posted and I haven't been one time

shame shame shame

I haven't been in a while either, I see them every day and hear them gobble, just aint been chasin them. I should as I only have a few weeks of season left

We've lost Dusty.

I can't pull the words together at the moment, I just wanted to ask for some prayers and thoughts for his wife Eileen, Daughter Missy (Muffy,) his grandchildren and all of his Chickenbuckers.


He went peacefully, Missy called me this afternoon with the news.

I talked to Missy on facebook last night, been prayin a lot for him and the family. tonight I'll raise a glass to one of the most kind hearted men I've had the pleasure to meet. got to get off now, starting to cloud up.

RIP, Dusty! We have lost one of the truly great ones.

Muffy and Eileen are prayers are with you. You too, Dave. I know what Dusty meant to you.

Damn Cancer. Best wishes to the family.