while i was screwing in my last ice anchor on my pop up, a flag goes up. usually when fishing that shallow and on bottom, it's a mud puppy, so i wasn't overly excited. i get to the trap and there is nothing happening. finally the reel turns and i know it's a fish. it goes on a run and and i go to set the hook but i ripped it out of its mouth. i bring in an empty hook. i rewind my spool and re-bait. i barely had time to get out my crouch when the flag popped again and almost whapped me in the face. the reel starts spinning and i grab the line and get a solid hook up. a few seconds later there is a fish and 2 dead shiners on the ice. second time i've almost been thwacked with the flag. last year at jamie's pond, i must have dropped the bait right on his head. that fish was only a 6 inch brookie. this hopefully isn't my last trip of the year, but if it is, i'll have a good story to tell. tight lines all!
