As many of you already know, Monday is the deadline to get your permanent fish houses off the lake.
This doesn't mean you can't be out fishing in a permanent come Monday, but who wants to haul it on and off the lake each day.
Monday's deadline is also the day that justifies the once-a-year column from John Cross on lazy, littering anglers. As one of the designers and editors of the Outdoors page in the print edition of The Free Press, I'd like to personally ask you to heed his advice.
No, seriously, I'm tired of reading about something so obvious as cleaning up after yourself. I probably suffer the same angst as John each summer.
Take for instance Buckmaster's Bridge. The work done to restore the bridge and creating fishing piers was amazing. It's a great place to sneak off to in the early morning when time is short, and it is a great place to bring a family.
But year after year, I see thousands of cigarette butts littered about the cement fishing slabs — add in soda cans, bottles, line, fishing-lure and candy wrappers, and the place just looks like hell.
Trash cans are provided, so there is no excuse.
If you are a litterer, I think the question to ask yourself as you pull your permanent off the lake this year, or as you head out when winter breaks way to spring, is this: Would you treat your yard or house the same as you treat the area you call home to fishing?
If the answer is yes, than you're probably an idiot.
