blessings in disguise

So this weekend I went ice fishing and had a pretty good time. Shaun, myself and some other teachers stayed at a lodge that had an onsen and woke up at 5:30am to get our fishing day going. The weather was beautiful and wasn't too cold for the conditions. Our group rented all our equipment which included the stuff necessesary for ice fishing and a little vynal house that had a stove in it. Apon entering the little structure which you could not stand up in Shaun and I were shocked to find out that Japanese customs applyed in nature as well and we were expected to take off our boots as we entered. Inside these little huts there was thick styrofoam for us to sit on but it was not only dirty looking but had ice on the edged which would melt as we sat and get our clothes wet. I was suprised that the kerosine stove (which must have been about 30 years old) actually worked and kept the hut warm. Well the weather was beautiful that day, so much so that the snow/ice on top of the lake started to melt. I really wanted Sorel boot that day but for the most part my timberlands (although mid ankle high) did the job. Shaun had a pair of Ugg boots that were nice eventhough they got wet. The scenery was beautiful and Mt. Bandai in the distance looked just like Eiger. As the day progressed and the hours went by Shaun lost interest and buggered off to go snowboarding (which he had planned in advance, well except for the not being interested in fishing part). So after ruffly 7 hours of fishing I had had enough. I was so frustrated that I wanted to go home. I thought I had been patient enough.

Well for all my efforts after 7 hours of ice fishing I was only able to catch 1 fish. It was a beauty though. After everyone was done we returned our rented gear and sat down for some freshly caught deep fried fish. You drop the whole fish in the batter and then put it in the hot oil. Then eat the whole thing. I was surprised at how good it was. Oishikatta.

So my first time ice fishing and I think I had a good time even though I only caught one fish.

Enjoy my pic of me and my fish.