Word from the weather watcher is that the storm has, indeed, moved a bit to the east, which will keep Pushaw on the colder and drier side of the front. There will still be rain there, but hopefully not as much.
Thickness is holding steady so far, even with temps in the mid forties and light rain. Skaters today are treated to some very magical conditions.
Today at Pushaw the scouts found the entire lake, top to bottom, locked in with four inches of Black Ice. Not a crack or hole anywhere. Tonights low temps will grow it a bit, hopefully strengthening it against Monday’ gale. Temps drop back down starting Monday night and remain respectable all week. There is wind behind the gale as well.
So it would appear that there could be some epic iceboating next week. even the possibility of a 2023 NEIYA regatta.
Stand by for updates, and pray the gale goes east.
Calm and cold here for the past few days has given us miles of Black Ice on many shallow mid-sized ponds. The execution is Pushaw, who’s entire north end locked in. It was 2.5” yesterday and in the single digits overnight. Bob Lombardo and his team of skaters are having a field day. Sadly for us there’s not a breath of wind forecast until a big gale coming Monday with warmth and rain.
The plate is likely to survive, so stand by for next week. We sailed Pushaw’s north end early last season, launching from Cooks Landing.
It’s here!
Hi All,
Now is the time to check your gear and be ready for ice reports that will be coming soon.
It’s also time to pay your dues if you haven’t already.
Please download our membership from, from the website, check off if you are a new or returning member. New members please fill out the form, and returning members only fill it out if you have any changes to your information.
Then place the form in an envelope, insert $20.00 and drop it in the mail to the address below.
Thanks, and we’ll see you on the ice.
Sincerely,
Jim Gagnon
Treasure CIBC
PO Box 463
West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575
Sent from my iPad
Today reminds me of the time many years ago that Lloyd and Jory drove to Plymouth Pond to check the ice at about this time of year. They’d been watching the weather and had a hunch. What they found was two inches of black ice, very sailable. All they had with them was an ax. No boats, no skates. 
Today on Farm Pond, near Howland, we found this lovely little launch leading out to two inches of almost black ice, thanks to Bob Lombardo. Almost black because the plate has been rained on, snowed on rained again and then froze. It’s been through the mill, but the surface was excellent. There was one spot that returned consistent zippers, but at the same thickness as the rest of the plate. Interesting.
The wind came in lightly from the south, perfect for the first day with skate sails. We established top and bottom marks and duked it out until the arms and legs were shot.
Bottom line is that your iceboat and all the gear should be ready to deploy if you get a call at eight PM for a dawn departure to new ice.
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Here’s a link to a video shot by Bob.
Forecast looks grim, but don’t give up the search!
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club 