Today was supposed to be another day of scouting local ponds so as to decide where to take a friend (who hasn't gone in decades) tomorrow.
Unfortunately, although today's weather was beautiful, it turned out to be a bit of a bust.
Sunny, blue skies, light breeze, temps in the mid-20's.
First, I drove to Williamstown to check out Bridges Pond.
It's a nice small pond that holds some bass, but requires walking about a half mile down some railroad tracks (and back) from the closest parking spot.
I made the hike with my gear, but discovered that 3/4 of Bridges was open water, and the rest only covered in skim ice.
As a silver lining, on my walk back to my car, I saw a big doe crossing the tracks up ahead.
Next, I drove to Mausert's Pond in Clarksburg, and fished there from about noon to 4 PM.
By contrast with Bridges Pond, ice conditions at Mausert's were optimal: 9" of skating rink quality ice.
The setting was also pretty neat - - 10 windmills (none of them spinning) sit atop a ridge that overlooks the pond, with only the top of the ridge covered in snow. An interesting contrast in colors.
And I had the place to myself, apart from some walkers and one guy who came out late in the day to skate.
Unfortunately, though, the fishing was pretty lousy - - just one flag (but no fish) on the tip up, one pygmy (7") pickerel landed on a dead stick (baited with a 3" shiner) and four equally tiny perch reeled in on my jigging rod.
Then, when I got home, I learned my friend had to back out of tomorrow's outing due to a family issue.
Oh well, tomorrow's another day - - and a holiday to boot.
Maybe I'll go stream fishing instead.
