These are not really two things that go well together, but rather things that we must increasingly reconcile each winter fishing season for the small fish of the channels. This new season began well on December 26 with ideal winter temperatures and perfect conditions. That was without anticipating Nature’s whims. Unlike last season and even the one before, we were able to start with the regulatory ice cover to allow fishing cabins to be placed, and even from the opening, people were able to move around on the river and park directly next to their fishing cabins. We haven’t always had this luck in recent winters. What a great start to the fishing season for the small fish of the channels! And then… Nature offered us a warm spell, and of course, with this warmth came liquid precipitation. Since the Ste-Anne River is very long, you can understand that when it rains heavily, the water travels a great distance, gaining momentum as it reaches our small municipality of Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade, creating upheavals under the ice. Even though the season started well, we still had to close our outfitter services to let the waters calm down, as fishing became very difficult with the strong currents and the arrival of “frazil.” This infamous “frazil,” which often complicates the situation, is nevertheless essential to protect the eggs laid by female tomcod until the male fertilizes them. Without it, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade could not hold the title of “World Capital of Small Channel Fish” and nursery for tomcod. In summary, females lay their eggs in the river, and the frazil that flows down the river shelters and protects the eggs. “Frazil” is this small ice compared to “slush.” Our Ste-Anne River is full of it during the winter, and when it’s in motion, it’s hard to control and remove it from the holes. When it stabilizes, the holes can be cleared, and fishing becomes easier. We increasingly have to deal with climate change. Nature is reacting, and we must adapt to it.