As I sat down to write this column I had little or idea which direction it would take. I know the winter is starting to wear a little thin but there are some things I really miss about an old-fashioned Minnesota snowstorm. Now before I go any further I should say there are only parts of a good snowstorm I like.

To me, nothing could be more relaxing than relaxing inside on a snowy winter night sitting by the

fire listening to the wind howl as the snow swirls about just outside the window.

Now it’s time to face the facts. The first thing is that we really haven’t had a winter storm of any magnitude in the last few years and secondly, I don’t have a fireplace. This is called dreaming and if I close my eyes I can feel the heat and hear the snow being driven against the front window.

Back to reality!

The winter always seems to be dragging its feet on the way out at this time of year. This is especially true when it rains all day one day with temps in the high 40s and then a couple days later it is cold and spitting just enough white stuff to call snow.

It’s time for the cure. Cabela’s here I come. I have a plan and I’m sticking to it. Every year I have the idea that I need to buy a few &uot;necessary&uot; lures for the coming summer. There is only one problem, I’ve bought so many of the necessities that I hardly have room in my tackle boxes (yes boxes).

I have started giving some lures away to the grandsons to make room for the new and improved ones but that sometimes come back to haunt you. Like it did this past summer. I wrote in an earlier column about how I had given my grandson Dylan a couple lures only to have him let his dad use them to catch a lot more fish than Grandpa.

I took a little good-natured ribbing but in all reality I don’t think a father or grandfather is ever as

proud as when they watch their kids or grandkids succeed at something they too love to do.

My stock of jig heads and assorted twister tails has become drastically depleted. I think now is the time to buy more to get the adrenaline flowing again in anticipation of the upcoming fishing season.

I really have become a large fan of the jig and twister combination. You can catch most species on nothing but a jig and plastic. Berkeley makes a lot of different power baits that have really proven to work quite well. It seems like every time I turn on the TV on Saturday morning there is some famous fisherman using another &uot;can’t-miss&uot; bait. Sometimes the reason these baits are a sure thing is because they are the sponsors of the show. Most of the time however, it all depends on the situation. Location is key but presentation is just as important.

There are certain lakes that I will feel totally comfortable using an artificial bait such as a Shad Rap, in fact this bait along with a jig and twister are probably the two baits I will use consistently on almost any lake. There are some lakes that you only seem to catch fish on live bait, but I don’t think the fish are any smarter than fish in other lakes it is more like they are hungrier than they are aggressive. Even on lakes where artificials have worked well one day the same lure in the same area on another day will produce nothing.

This proves my point. I’ve got to have more tackle. I don’t think my wife has believed this to be true &045; she who invented the phrase, &uot;Why buy lures you always use live bait.&uot;

On our little lake up north I have caught fish about as fast as I could throw out the jig only to have them turn off as fast as they started. You know they are still there but they quit taking artificial bait. That’s the signal to switch to live bait, which will usually get good results.

This turn on-turn-off thing is true with all species. Fish will be aggressive for a while and then turn off just like that. I read an article written by a famous Wisconsin muskie guide who said if you go to a place that you know is holding fish and you don’t get any follows or if they follow lazily then they are not aggressive. When that happens you should move on but return at a later time in the day. This was good advice, which I have found to be truer than not on most species.

For many years I have also followed the lunar table closely, even when choosing vacation. Knowing when I should be on the water for prime and secondary feeding times is another theory that has proven itself. I do believe there is a lot to this and not only are daily feeding times affected but also the rule of three days either side of a full or new moon. I have caught fish during those times but I also wonder if you make it a point to fish at those certain times aren’t your odds of catching something at that time increased?

I know for sure that ice-out won’t come soon enough for me and when it does I’ll be ready to make that first cast into open water. Until then I may just settle back in the easy chair by my imaginary fireplace and enjoy the sights and sounds of the non-snowstorm taking place outside the window.

Until next time, play safe and enjoy the outdoors.

Remember to keep our brothers and sisters that are serving our country in your thoughts and prayers.

Dick Herfindahl, outdoors writer