In the summertime, this scene is where a guest might be swinging their toes through the sand from their chaise chair, going for a dip in warm Sebago Lake, wandering up to the wood-fired sauna, or heading just to the left to cookout point for one of Migis' famed luncheon cookouts. At this time of year there's a much different predominant activity: ice fishing.
The ice is about 6-8 inches thick at this point, and will probably thicken to 15-20 inches before the spring thaw. Phil has used his Jeep to tow his ice shack down to the shore. The shack (called the Jerk Center IV, named after a jerk chicken shack he found in Jamaica on his honeymoon) is not much more than 4 thin walls and a roof, but provides much-needed shelter from the brisk winds of Sebago. Phil has set his "traps" with shiners and suckers, hoping for lake trout, also known as togue. The fish are lazy and sluggish this time of year (like the rest of us can be sometimes!), so one's patience can be tested. But the cold waters do bring the bigger fish to the shallower areas closer to shore, so the chance to reel in a monster is that much greater. It's all casual now, but our competitive spirit will build as we get closer to the Sebago Ice Fishing Derby in mid-February. Stay tuned to see what happens!
As we set the traps, we think about the boating, swimming, waterskiing, and all the other ways we all love to enjoy Sebago in the summertime. We look forward to having you back this summer for more fun in the sun.
Until then, stay warm,
Jed & Phil
P.S. If the thought of jerk chicken made you hungry, like it did to us, watch this video!