Let the madness begin!

It's that time again, people. The early catch-and-release trout season for the Great State of Wisconsin starts in eleven days, and I, for one, couldn't be happier. This winter has been a bastard of the highest order; long, cold and gloomy, and a little trout fishing is just what we need to drive a stake through its black and frigid heart.

The last two opening weekends have been cold snow-covered affairs. We experienced a warm snap a couple of weeks ago, and I thought to myself, "Maybe we won't have to trudge through a foot-and-a-half of snow this year for the opener." Since then, we've gotten about six inches of fresh snow, with more on the way, if the weatherman is to be believed. It doesn't matter; we'll fish no matter what.

Last year my friend Lefty (not Kreh) joined us for a day of fishing on opening weekend. It was damn cold, and by the end of the day, Lefty thought the Toe and I were both insane. It was the kind of day where your guides ice up within minutes of getting wet. We spent the day slapping fifteen foot casts down on the water because the rest of the line was frozen to either the guides or the reel. The Toe had produced some magic ointment that was supposed to alleviate this, but apparently the guy who designed this wonderful anti-icing balm did most of his fishing in Key West, where its a little easier to keep ice out of the guides.

Fishing on opening weekend is usually an all-nymph affair. Occasionally, if the weather is just right, you'll see trout rising to tiny midges or maybe even small Blue-Winged Olives, but it takes a pretty intense rise to make me cut off my nymph and tie on a dry. We'll be using Pink Squirrels and strike indicators, for the most part.

The Toe has worked up several variations on the Pink Squirrel. Mostly he ties 12's and 14's, but he also ties 10's, which are properly called Kong Squirrels and for me he ties what we call Depth Charges; Pink Squirrels with an underbody made of lead wire, They're an absolute bitch to cast, but they will sink to the bottom of the fastest riffles with alarming speed. I have a hard time finding a strike indicator that will float one. But, if you really want to get back under a deep cut, the Depth Charge is just the ticket.

Of course, no opening weekend fishing trip would be complete without lots of food. This year, since our accommodations have a stove, we'll be feasting on chili and chicken and dumplings. For breakfast, the Toe is bringing what he calls "Trailer Trash" breakfast. Allegedly, its tater tots, eggs, bacon, cheese and sausage all cooked together in a frying pan. The Toe says all we have to do is scoop some out, microwave it and breakfast is served. Sounds perfect.

As much as I love fishing in the summer, Opening weekend is my favorite trip of the year. We always have the stream to ourselves. All the familiar places look different somehow, robed in white, with icicles hanging from the weeds. We'll fish along until we find a good hole, then we'll stop and make some streamside coffee; one guy fishing while the other guy grips the steaming hot tin cup of coffee, trying to coax the feeling back into his fingers. It's the best misery you'll ever endure.