Cruel and Unusual Punishment

My girlfriend gave me a super baitcast reel – winner of last years Bass Master Classic – and St Croix rod for Christmas/Birthday. I now have it already with 150 yards of Spiderwire and 3/8oz jig. The Virginia Wildlife calendar says fishing today is excellent, my barometer, Anglers Edge, shows 8 out 10 fish probability. She is in Miami for the winter. I am living on a lake -- with 2 inches of ice. I feel like a puppy being trained to balance a kibble on his nose without eating it. A brand new rod and reel and no water. Damn.