I just took 11 people from the Dominican Republic ice fishing.

     I just took 11 people from the Dominican Republic ice fishing for their first time.  It went great, and was quite entertaining. Here's the story.
     Another guide and myself pick up our clients at their hotel, and immediately we notice that quite a few of our fishermen, ice fishermen, are wearing penny loafers and dress slacks. For the rest of our story we'll call them Seppi and the gang. We inform Seppi that it's going to be cold and he translates for the rest of the gang. It seams that even though our guests are staying at the best ski resort in North America most of them don't have boots or snow pants. Good thing as fly fishing guides we have an endless supply of waders. So after a quick stop for hot dogs, hot chocolate, 500 hand and foot warmers, a soccer ball, pepsi, and of course 1 more pair of dress gloves? We are on our way. It's an hour drive so being a smart guide I grab four of the teenagers to ride with me. I figured they would talk the least. I was right they didn't talk much... they sang. I thought it must be a song about their heritage or fishing, but after some acute listing it was actually John Mayer. I turned up the radio.
     We arrive at our fishing destination. The lake is barely visible through the wind and snow a mere 50 yards away. There are 3 foot drifts in the parking lot, but we're going fishing. I immediately get the gear out and get the kids fishing. The adult show up 45 minuets later... in waders. The fishing started out slow. It's amazing how simple I think ice fishing is compared to how challenging it can be for beginners. Line getting stuck on the edge of the hole. Opening and closing the bail with hand warmer stuffed mittens on. Not having bait on, or even having lures in the hole were just some of the problems we encountered.

     It was looking pretty grim. At one point Seppi and the whole gang were stuffed inside my two man portable shantee. Time to shine. Our fishing was sloppy, but we still had a few strikes. I drilled more holes and did some searching. I put a jig down a shallow hole close to the bank and immediately got bit. I moved everyone in shallow and bang, Seppi pulls out a fish. The kids start catching fish. Jean Paul pulls out a trophy Rainbow. Everyone is enjoying themselves; taking pictures, eating hot dogs, drinking hot chocolate, and sledding. Mission incredibly accomplished. After the car ride and a hefty tip from Seppi I'm able to sit, relax, and enjoy this wonderful world we live in.

notice the waders