My Picks for the Classic

ESPN aired a preview show on the Classic this morning, and when it came time to make some picks it went two ways. Zona went the predictable route--KVD, Skeet, and Ike--while the co-host picked a few less likely candidates, Dean Rojas, Gary Klein, and Mark Tucker. These picks are pretty interesting, since all three anglers are excellent shallow water fishermen and everyone anticipates the bite to center around the spawn, as it has in years past. Given those kind of criteria, there are a number of guys who can be put on a potential list: Aaron Martens, Tommy Biffle, Brent Chapman, Randy Howell, Shaw Grigsby, Denny Brauer, and a host of others. No one can count 2007 champion, Boyd Duckett, out of the mix either. But for my choices, I'm going to make my decision based on a combination of who has momentum from last year's trail as well as inherent strengths. My top three are Tommy Biffle, Randy Howell, and Mike Iaconelli. These are three guys who fished as consistently as anyone last year and who seem to be at the top of their game. After that, I think any of the other names I listed are fair choices, along with Skeet, KVD, and Alton Jones, but I would have to say that if there's a dark horse it would be either Kevin Short, who won the toughest shallow water tournament of the season last year on the big Miss, or Brent Chapman. I mention Chapman simply because in their analysis of him, the ESPN announcers said he was consistent but may lack the "killer instinct." If you've been reading this blog you'll notice that I was fortunate to ride with Chapman as a marshal at the final Elite event last year on Oneida. I am NOT experienced enough to say I'm an authority on the matter, but I will say that he seemed to have enough energy and focus to fish for 16 hours straight. Maybe that's a moot point, since everyone on the Elite Series is expected to have that kind of stamina. But at no point did he ever seem "beaten," though he did acknowledge that he was not having his best day. I don't call that weak. I call that confident, observant, and open-minded.

Winter

I will probably take this back in two months, but I am glad winter has finally arrived in New England. For the last few months I was petty confused about whether or not to fish. Sounds like a silly thing to say, but I think my reasons are sound. Like many, I was expecting winter a bit sooner though just as suddenly as it actually arrived. Imagine, then, how bad the fishing is likely to get if there's a shift in weather that lasts longer than a passing cold front. That's New England, and granted we may be more likely to have a few thaws throughout the winter than other areas are likely to experience, but few would argue that when winter arrives here it seems to have made up its mind. This is perhaps the worst part of living in New England, the stubbornness of its winters. Often we experience low temperatures in the 40's right through much of June, though it is often possible for us to have some days in the 60's and 70's in May. But given that our fishing season typically lasts little more than six months it would seem silly to squander any opportunities to get out and fish. That said, I did get out a few times this month, and I expect they're my last of the year. The novelty of fishing while there's snow on the ground is definitely on my mind, and I'm sure the opportunity will present itself, since we're supposed to warm up slightly into the 40's next week. Ice-in is still not quite here, but most water temps are in the low 40's, nearly as cold as the air. However, at what point does fishing really become less a matter of fun and more of a chore? Last time I went out I was pretty cold but willing to deal with it. But it was also about 45-50 outside, not the 27 it is as I write this. And I could still see fish moving around a bit, and nearly got a pickerel to bite an in-line spinner. I doubt very much they'll want to do anything, never mind chase a lure. And I might not want to cast one, for that matter.