Folks in Sublette County don’t give a rat’s whisker about what that back-East groundhog has to say about the changing of the season, or even Wyoming’s prognosticating prairie dog Lander Lil.
That’s because people in the Pinedale area have Bob. Spring hasn’t arrived until Bob has.
For now, Bob continues to sit patiently on the ice in the middle of Fremont Lake. But once the ice has melted enough to allow the bright yellow steel barrel finally floats to shore, Bob’s work is done for another 11 months and someone will be $500 richer.
The Fremont Lake Ice Off Guess, aka the Barrel Guess, is a longstanding tradition for the Pinedale Lions Club. Every year, people pay $10 for a ticket and guess when Bob will break through the ice and make its way onto dry land.
“You guess a date and time,” said Pinedale Lions Club member Jason Essington. “When your date and time pass, your guess is active until the next person has a guess. So, your guess could be days long or minutes long. It’s really dependent on who guesses when.”
Shoring It Up
Essington isn’t sure when the Pinedale Lions took over the Barrel Guess. The Pinedale Boat Club started the annual fundraiser in 1980.
“Part of your membership in the boat club was guessing when the barrel hit the shore,” he said. “People that have been following this for a while tend to want to get in on it, so they'll put guesses in as well.”
In the spirit of the tradition, the Pinedale Lions place the yellow barrel near the center of Fremont Lake at the end of the annual Big Fish Winter Derby. Then Bob just sits there until the ice melts. It’s not enough to break through, the barrel has to be free enough for the currents in the lake to take it ashore.
Since 1980, the Barrel Guess has been held every year. The only exceptions are 1981 (no ice) and 2018 (no barrel).
Hundreds of people participate in the Barrel Guess every year. The person who guesses the correct date and time wins $500.
“People who’ve been around her for a while sure pay attention to it,” Essington said.
Minutes Matter
As of Monday afternoon, the yellow barrel was still firmly sitting atop a seemingly solid ice sheet. By late April, things really get going.
Nobody can anticipate when Bob will reach the shore of Fremont Lake. However, Essington thinks most people know when to hedge their bets.
“Historically, it's been (between) the end of April and First of May,” he said. “The last week of April and the first week of May seem to be pretty common. But it's come in earlier than that, and it’s come in later as well.”
Over the last 44 years, the dates range from April 12 to May 29. The times aren’t consistent since floating barrels aren’t exactly known for their punctuality.
Essington said the annual contest is more than a barrel of laughs. Any proceeds earned from the Barrel Guess go toward the Pinedale Lions’ initiatives in Sublette County, such as providing diabetes testing or vouchers for eyeglasses and exams.
“Any revenues generated go to the project account,” he said. “But for the most part, the Barrel Guess is kind of a breakeven deal. It's more for fun than anything.”
For now, everyone around Pinedale patiently wait for Bob to make his big break.
Andrew Rossi can be reached at: ARossi@CowboyStateDaily.com
Since 1980, people in and around Pinedale have been guessing when Bob, a bright yellow steel barrel, will finally fall through the ice in Fremont Lake and float to shore. Whoever has the closest guess wins $500. (Courtesy Pinedale Lions Club via Facebook) 
Since 1980, people in and around Pinedale have been guessing when Bob, a bright yellow steel barrel, will finally fall through the ice in Fremont Lake and float to shore. Whoever has the closest guess wins $500. (Courtesy Pinedale Lions Club via Facebook) 
Bob the barrel is locked up tight before it was placed out on Fremont Lake last month. (Courtesy Pinedale Lions Club via Facebook)
