January 3, 2015: Overall, Valier Lake Frances ice fishing is averaging a wee bit slower than last winter. My theory is that is because we have more snow on the ice this winter…a foot or more, and it’s blocking out the sun underwater, compared to a year ago this time. Last winter we had little snow on Lake Frances ice throughout the winter, and in fact the lake opened up somewhat in January, after freezing earlier, a year ago. It appears that won’t occur this year. More snow means less oxygen production, and more lethargic fish, in my opinion. Scott Curry Owner of One Stop Conoco at Valier has now stocked up on bait from Roberts Bait in Great Falls, in that I bought some there today. I managed to be a klutz today Saturday Jan. 3rd, by dropping my prescription eye glasses down the hole of my permanent ice house on Frances. So tomorrow, Sunday, after church, I plan to take my Aqua View Camera to try to spot my spectacles in over 30 feet of water, so I may be able to retrieve my spectacles with a weighted treble hook? Tight lines!