crappieperchhunter

Most of the ones I get perch fishing are between 10-14 inches. Very annoying some days. You can't even get your bait through them to get to the perch on the bottom

LOL. Santa gets me underwear every year. And my stocking always has a toothbrush, toothpaste and a small bottle of mouth wash.Some years I get razors and shaving cream. Santa seems genuinely concerned about my hygiene I think the last pair of underwear I bought was at Biway. How long have they been gone?

Fishing related I don't need a thing. But I wouldn't be getting it from Santa anyway. I tell the kid's to save their money and not waste it on me. So I get a restaurant gift card or something like that and truthfully I'm happy as a clam. So that's leaves Debbe. She has bought me 2 expensive fishing related presents over the years. Both where returned. I have had about the same luck buying her cloths. So Santa Steve does NOT get Debbe cloths or anything remotely fashion related and Santa Debbe stays the hell out of the fishing section. Works good for us.

Specs through the ice still on my bucket list so I'm green with envy right now. Good job guys and thx for sharing. Kudos on releasing them all too. I grew up fishing creek specs and love the little buggers in the frying pan. Would have been difficult for me not to keep a few little ones.

After driving diesel golfs for 27 years I gave up a long time ago trying to figure out how they determine diesel pricing. I believe that whoever is in charge throws darts at a dartboard and thats the price we get I also remember when it was always 5-10 cents a litre cheaper then regular. Now that I no longer have a diesel vehicle I have come to realize that regular gas pricing is determined the same way. Just somebody different throwing the darts. BTW 89.9 at Costco in Oshawa this morning. I love the guy who's been throwing darts lately...but somehow I think his days are numbered.

Pretty much exactly how I feel. Where do you draw the line? Personally I think the line is fine right where it is. Although I would put snows on without losing any sleep over it if it was mandated.

Good on you guys Brian. Glad someone is getting out. I had too many things on the go this weekend. I got a report from a buddy who fished my first ice perch lake Tuesday and yesterday and did well both days. I just hope they are still on next weekend when I get a shot at them.

Never ran anything but all seasons and never had a problem. However many people who's opinions I respect have told me that the difference is night and day..so I believe it is true. I to would like to see data from Quebec as to whether it makes any real difference at the end of the day. Bottom line for me is I will stick with all seasons because they have served me well for the driving I do. However if the government mandates it I have no problem switching over. Some have mentioned lower insurance rates if you run snows. This was something I did not know and will look into.

LOL...thx for that. She loves fish. I can't think of anyone who appreciates it more when I stop over with a bag of fillets. But fishing to let them all go just baffles her..lol.

Same with my Mom. She just doesn't get all the effort....and tackle...I've put into carp fishing...just to let them all go.

We really don't do a lot. I make snickerdoodle cookies that everyone loves and Debbe makes this cranberry jelly stuff with some type of booze in it that's really good spread on cheese and crackers. I do wanna try making shortbread cookies this year. My sister makes the BEST and I finally got her recipe.

Cliff when our neighbour does his salmon he also has a wood fire going and toasts the bagels which he drizzles with a touch of olive oil before he toasts then. It's a LOT of work and it's not for everyone but he just enjoys the whole process and we certainly enjoy the fruits of his labours. I have no doubt you will get it perfected to your liking.

Not that much...but in the 2008 crash we lost on paper more then we made working. That was enough of a "gut punch" for me. Thankfully we stayed the course and by March of 2009 we had got it all back plus some and have been doing great since then. Between the 2 of us I think we drank enough wine that year that we could have bought a winery ourselves

Debbe and I went for a few walks today. Loved the weather too. But I'm getting itchy for some perch/crappie through the ice. Next weekend maybe.

Simon my neighbour smokes salmon on a regular smoker and I think it turns out better then the cold smoked stuff you buy. It is that good. The texture is not the same as cold smoking but the flavours are fantastic. He starts brining his salmon at midnight and starts the smoker in the morning....then calls us over at around 9 for breakfast. And he never has to call twice If your serious excellent results can be achieved with a regular smoker. Also if you enjoy the salmon and bagels lots of places sell the smoked salmon frozen. We get ours at Costco and it is packaged 10 portions in a box for $19 I believe. Each portion 75g...will do 3 bagels. Just throw a frozen package in the fridge before you go to bed and your good to go the next morning.

Thx Mr Topwater. Maybe it's the morning caffeine rush...but I found that hilarious.

I'll bring the caper's, cream cheese and good jewish bagels Cliff. When you want us to show up? Have fun with your new toy. Our Caygeon neighbour has smoking down to a fine art and is thinking of getting a cold smoker as well. If he does and he master's it like he has his other smoker I will try and get some tips to help you out.

Good point. But I'm not really sure how you go about mentally preparing for something like retirement. I do however have my folks to look at as examples of how to handle it. My father does nothing. A weekly hi light is grocery shopping. My mom gets out with other seniors all the time for cards or whatever. Volunteers at the hospital. Drives her senior friends around who no longer have a license. If you phone there house my dad answers the phone 99.9% of the time because my mom is off doing something. From watching there retirement unfold I have a pretty good idea what I want to do and not do. But how that is going to unfold in our own retirement reality....I really don't think you can prepare ahead of time for that. It kinda unfolds on it's own and you either have a lemons or lemonade retirement.

That depends. Our house, although not huge , is way more then we need since the kids moved out. Our cottage is under 700 square feet with no basement. We are seriously considering retiring to our little place. We love it. Easy to clean/maintain...cheaper too. Taxes alone are $2900 a year less then our home. It just needs a garage for some extra storage room. We wanna give it a try living there for one whole winter before we make a decision.

Thx for sharing Joey....loved them all.

The OP was asking this question with regards to people being close to retirement. I'm 44 months out so I guess I qualify. I have a question of my own to throw out there as well. Recently my wife the banker has been asked when we plan to retire. Her birthday is in May and mind is July. So we where looking at retiring Aug 1st. She has been advised to retire at the start of a year. The reason being you will have less income to claim and can potentially save thousands in taxes. Haven't looked into this yet to see if it will really make any kind of a difference. Being the cheap so and so I am I got no problem retiring Jan 1st instead of Aug 1st if it means more $$$$ left in my pocket. Anybody out there know more about this?

I agree with Tomcat. Pay yourself 1st, get rid of debt ASAP and TFSA's are your friend. I also agree with Old Ironmaker. Real Estate has worked for us. Having tenants is not for everyone....but it sure is nice having someone else pay your mortgage off for you. Our son has jumped into that pool now as well. Got a place 3 years ago when he was 22 and has 3 tenants. The first 2 years he was working part time and going to school full time...I really don't know how he managed all that on his own. His entire mortgage is covered by his tenants. Now he's full time and making a decent wage so he is really paying down his mortgage fast. Made a lot of sacrifices...how many 25 year old's still don't have there first car...but have a house? Very proud of him.

I have a local guy in Bobcaygeon who I get all my fin-s fish,shads and jigheads from during the summer. I stop in on the weekend when I'm up at the cottage and order from him what I want, then he orders it from his supplier and 9 times out of 10 it is waiting for me the next weekend when I 'm up there again. I used to order direct from Lunker City, great company to deal with...no problems at all...but I get it much cheaper from Mark's in Caygeon. Check out your local shops. Maybe they can/would do the same for you.

Congratulations Now get out there and enjoy it

Priceless Wayne. Have the camera ready and share that kodak moment with us all when she opens her gift