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What seems a bit troubling to me is that this stuff seems to mutate faster than the flu virus?

If you see someone trying to launch or retrieve his boat that appears to lack experience, don't sit and criticize him but go over and offer some advice or even offer do it for him. Too many people forget they were new and inexperienced at boating at one time themselves but would rather sit back and ridicule others rather than offering to help.

A while back I was asked by a friend to build a custom Brook Trout rod for his annual fly in trips. "No biggie" I said. Then he asked if I could make the reel seat look like a Brook Trout, well that was going to take me into new territory. I accepted the challenge and when his name came up in my build book I set to work. I was more than comfortable with all aspects of this build with the exception of the "Brook Trout" themed reel seat. Ideas cooked for a bit in my mind, then I came up with a design but I needed someone willing to take on the painting of the components I had envisioned. I reached out to my very talented friend Brandon Trafananko up on the Bruce Peninsula. He jumped at the chance to be part of this project. So in short, here are some pictures of the project from start to finish.

BEFORE launching have your boat ready, cooler, thermos, bait, rods, everything in the boat. Cover off, straps off and ready to get wet. Have your buddy man the lines and slide it into the water and have him walk it down the dock so the next guy can launch. Park your truck walk back get in and go. Nothing worse than the guy that just launched his boat sitting in it trying to get it started or worse - dealing with dead batteries. Move your boat out of the way! I watched a couple of guys at the LaSalle launch on Detroit River and there were about 6 guys in the line waiting to launch. They paid the lady and pulled ahead and started to back down the launch and stopped short. Both guys got out and starting peeling the cover off, and taking straps off.....and then taking rods out of the truck and putting them into the boat. Several of the guys in line just lost it on them - never a dull moment. Last pet peeve are jet Skiers that do not wait in line like the rest of us.

I'm with Bill...drives my mad when people are messing around on the ramp. I was waiting to get out at Crystal Beach's double ramp once and the two boats were taking forever. I tied up on the backside of the dock, hopped in the truck and split the difference between them. I was out before either one but even by self, I can load or unload my Ranger in seconds.

Good luck to you and your health. enjoy your travels/other toys.

well done as always Spiel thanks for sharing. Art

Sweet! \

Beautiful!

The way the flu shot was explained to me was they make an educated guess as to which variant will be the dominant strain this year in advance and make that vaccine, some years they get it right then like last year I got the shot just before Christmas and mid Jan. came down with the worst I've had in years. I suspect the yearly covid shot shot will work about the same with the variants and future mutations, good luck .

I actually suspect this WILL be the case Paul. A yearly shot just like the Flu shot that I have never taken (as I've only had the Flu once in my life as a kid) but my Wife gets it (a shot) every year. Covid shot, if it's every year.. it's every year and it will be in my arm !

While twitter can be a toxic cesspool, there are authoritative people there I look to for pandemic data and info, esp Dr. Warner. This is a brief list, but there are many others who only have keeping people safe, as their goal. @drmwarner @BogochIsaac @DFisman @BrooksFallis @jkwan_md

Thank you gentlemen this has been very helpful.

We have lives to live and vaccines available.

That’s flipping idiotic.

Newest post is up As much as I would love to do all my fishing on hard to access Northern lakes the reality is a big chunk of my fishing is at the cottage with the family Over the years I have simplified what I take w me since I have to make room for family, dog and all of the gear that comes w middle age Here’s an overview of my setup which has served me really well the last few summers https://www.northernjacks.com/post/cottage-fishing-set-up-with-the-family Cheers Andrew

Bottom line, if you're in the queue, be ready to go! Get your boat ready OUT OF THE LINE, or if you're with a competent pardner then prepare in line. BUT don't make others wait! Oh, and learn to reverse your trailer SOMEWHERE ELSE besides the ramp!

There was a post on another board by a bud that was perch fishing and one of the perch had a large 1.5" Mayfly nymph in it . I thought wow that thing is huge and well,I got to tie some of these. So I did.LOL The hooks are to light for whities,but I will fix that soon,as I want to use these for whities as a dropper. Opener will be here soon on the small rivers and streams,I have been watching a lot of Euro Nymphing . I am very intrigued in trying this, so I tied up some to try. Weighted fly on the bottom and a light one on a dropper. You can tandem or tri this set up. I will start with the tandem, and work my way up . One tangle at a time .LOL