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Here's something to consider for a reasonable price , a reel that has a long history of durability and quality. 3 SS Bearings, lifetime bail spring, built to work. http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/ss_t/index.html

Them and Zebco Cardinal 3's and 4's were hung on every serious steelheaders rods in the 80's?

How about a Mitchel 300. The Panzer Tank of fishing reels.

Shooting rapids with a motorized canoe is done regularly. Most often with a flat stern freighter canoe and a 20hp outboard. I’ve seen natives do it in their bigger canoes. I’ve done it in a smaller flat transom canoe with a 5hp and it was sketchy trying to power up in smaller flows and barely enough. You’ll also need to carry at least one extra prop because inevitably you’ll hit rocks. I’ve spent some time in a canoe with a side mount outboard. Fine for smooth waters, no way I’d have gone up or down swift water with it, and that was a 2 horse Johnson. A modern heavy 4 stroke, no way! I did run a 3.5hp merc four stroke on a square stern 14 foot sportspal wide transom for a few years and that went pretty well and was very stable. Also darn quick, but they are set up to be slow, stable, dumpy boats and they aren’t meant for running rapids. Anyway if you do it let us know how it works out, but in my opinion you’ll need to stabilize or you’ll end up in the water with a side mount!

I have learned in my life time so far , Happy Wife = Happy Life. 39 years of marriage is a milestone these days.

Some candy anyone ? Went back to the dry cure. Wet works,but I like that jerky texture I get from the dry. When I removed it at 3am this morning after 16 hours of getting happy in that syrup from the fridge, I washed off and air dried till I got home at 10 am. Yup, off fishing I was. In the smoker til 5 pm. I reached a stable mark of 155 deg through out the whole thing. My neighbors now , do not mind the smoke scent, as they all got some to eat, and I am their new smoke fish monger, LOL The bottom 3 pieces lower rack, the loins, are for me. May fav cut of the fish.

They are all good as long as it says "Shimano" on them. I have a Shimano 1200 that cost me less than 30 bucks USD, It's 35 years old. Looks beat up but works like new. That thing has been used ice fishing in northern Manitoba and bushwhacked into Canadian and US jungles that looks like The Mekong Delta.

If your looking for a higher end reel I would go with the Shimano Stradik. I have an older model and its the best spinning reel I've owned. Also worth considering are the Shimano NASCI and the Daiwa Tatula. I have those as well. Both are at a lower price point but great reel.

I have 2 Okuma spinner reels. I am very impressed with them. Both spinning reels and are 7 BB. I use them both for open water and ice fishing. Still going strong after 5 years. Open,clean and back it they go.

I have come to the point that trusting these weather and wind sites means crappola these days. So I just get up,rig the toon and venture on my merry way. With that said,the wind was to be light out of the N/E. With a continuing cold front that started yesterday. I get to my launch and the wind is more then just a bit light, but still do able on the toon. Temp was 8 deg which warranted the use of the hoodie this morning. It was a cool rolly ride to say the least. The sky was looking like it was full of lava. Another great sight to behold. Not really marking a bunch of fish, I was force to move a ton. Would mark, drop and they would be gone. The amount of bait was super crazy all morning. I could see the shinners on the surface. Would explain the terns diving all around me. Fish were tight to the bottom all morning. A cold front will do this here. Also the current was really whacked. I was still and my line was 45 deg going east. After being out there for 4 hours moving about, I hit my last spot I had locked on the map and has produced. I was going to sit til it was time to get off. The current seemed to have died and I knew this would be a good thing. Well that decision payed off. I really like using my swim baits for the chase game,but a buddy tells me he has been getting them on the vibrato. SO, I drop one down, 30 ft from bottom. Letting the rollers do all jigging motion, I just sat and watch the screen. It was only 5 minutes and this red line comes streaking from the depths. I didn't have to crank much as it was on the bait like stink. It was a good battle. At first I thought it was going to be that trophy laker. Dove right to the bottom an stayed there just thumping the rod down. He had my toon turning left,then right. I am pumped. Finally I start to gain a bit. Then the rod goes slack. No lost him. Reel and reel and the rod almost gets ripped out of my hands. Dives back down. These lakers are crazy crazy. I eventually get it top side, get the vibrado out of it,s yap,quick pic and back down he went. Not the size I thought for the fight he gave, still a respectable Simcoe greaser. As much as I like the big fight, it would be nice to hook up with some smaller ones for a change. Maybe Sunday morning. Oh it,s another Sunday morning.............. Long read for a single fish, but I am just sitting here doing nothing anyways.LOL

Nick Look at the Pflueger President reels. Great reels and price does not break the bank.

Harry was finally a groom and was very excited about his upcoming marriage. He was on his way out of the office when his boss came over to him with an outstretched hand, "Congratulations Harry! I just wanted to tell you I've been married for twenty two years, and I am sure that you will always remember this day with the fondest of memories, as the happiest day of your life. "But sir", said Harry, a little bit confused, "I'm not getting married until tomorrow!" "Yeah, I know," said his boss.

A man was stopped by a game-warden in Northern Algonquin Park recently with two buckets of fish leaving a lake well known for its fishing. The game warden asked the man, “Do you have a license to catch those fish?” The man replied to the game warden, “No, sir. These are my pet fish.” “Pet fish?!” the warden replied. “Yes, sir. Every night I take these here fish down to the lake and let them swim around for a while. I whistle and they jump back into their buckets, and I take em home.” “That’s a bunch of crap! Fish can’t do that!” replied the warden in disbelief. The man looked at the game warden for a moment and then said, “Here, I’ll show you. It really works.” “O.K. I’ve GOT to see this!” The game warden was curious. The man poured the fish into the river and stood and waited… After several minutes, the game warden turned to the man and said, “Well?” “Well, what?” the man responded. “When are you going to call them back?” the game warden prompted. “Call who back?” the man asked. “The FISH,” the warden said sternly. “What fish?” the man asked.

I would burn apple and maple pellets, and add a box to the chimney for smoke,n , some fish.?

Got some of the caulking on the West side of the cabin. Also started taking the scaffolding down. Finally got the SAT dishes aimed so I have tee vee now. I got some more plumbing mocked up and worked on my pellet cart that will live in the closet under the stairs. Here's a couple of pics. There's 440#'s of pellets in it. Should be enough for 11 days before needing to refill. Had the drone up and took a few shots.