tbayboy

whew, was afraid I'd show up on that tape somewhere. Thank god for digital video cameras not being around when I was in school Thanks for the chuckle pkehunter

And I forgot to give props to Cliff and Bly - they may not have been the most exotic posts like the sturgeon and norhtern lands but their infectious love of the sport always came through in their posts. Misfish and Jen have great points too - the non fishing posts are often the most memorable especially when they show how this wonderful community can come together to help each other out.

Tough to say as there's so many posts but without doing a whole lot of re-reading I'd have to go with the Moosebunk posts and all the sturgeon posts as well. They just blew me away (the picture of the sturgeon launching in the air absolutely dropped my jaw to the floor)

Congratulations - can't think of a better Christmas gift!

Happy Birthday Dave. Nice show today as well - those pike sure can get in the way of the walleye fishing eh Really appreciate the adjustments you make as well and showing how a day on the water doesn't always go how you plan it.

I'd love to say I'm not jealous but that would be an outright lie. Sounds like your having a great time down there, enjoy it and keep posting the pics.

Yeah I saw that too - It's this one:

I did some digging around and picked one up for my parents. There's two things to look for (at least I found): 1. 4:3 ratio - for some reason quite a few are widescreen which is fine if you're playing video but makes framing most pictures kind goofy looking (big bars or stretched pictures) 2. resolution - most of the 7" and many 8" are 320x240 which is just too low. 3. Viewing angle - take a look at it from the sides and from a distance - many don't do a great job on angles. The one I got looks much better vertical (wall mount) than angled (on its little stand) I got one thats 800 x 600 and I'm pretty happy with it though it's not perfect. It doesn't play video but thats ok - I copied over some family pics and a christmas song so as soon as my dad plugs it in he's good to go. Insignia 8" digital photo frame

Top water muskie is definitely fun but your all right about the hookups - had one this year on the bog using this That launched at it beside the boat out of nowhere - I put a hook set on him that damn near impaled myself. Like Lew said - sure gets the old ticker thumping.

I think I just broke something in my face trying to mix a groan and a laugh. Thanks Raf.

Mmm thats some good ... "moolk" jerky?

Thanks Cliff. I realized after I posted that I forgot to mention hooking up with you and Bly but I lost the only picture I had - you catching a shiner about 2 inches long. Still goes to show that you guys never get skunked right? Will definitely hook up with the two of you again in the new year.

Some really nice fish there. The Niagara really produces some beauties. Thanks for the recap.

Cant wait Lexx. This year at least I know what a whitefish rig is and that it really isn't meant for ice fishing perch

Congrats Gerritt I know you'll put the knowledge to good use.

Stuck with me too Terry (bah dum dum, thank you I'm here all week!)

Great to see you back on the water Glen. Now excuse me while I go out to buy some new shovels for tomorrows storm, not that I'm jealous or anything grrr.

I was hoping to save this til the new year thinking that I'd get one ice fishing trip in but with the storm this wekeend and - a billion degrees temperaturs back in Thunder Bay where I'll be heading to next week it looks like my fishing for the year is done. I guess that means it's time to put together a little summary to bore you all to tears. I've been writing this for a while so its really wordy and long. You might want to get a coffee and settle in or just skim the pics, you won't hurt my feeleings What a year its been. This is the first year since I was in grade 9 that I've done any serious fishing. The last few years I've gotten together with friends back in Thunder Bay once a year for a boys fishing trip but that was more focused on the good times than on quality fishing but I started to get the itch. Unfortunately I didn't know anyone in Toronto that was really into fishing but once I found OFC I knew I was set to get back into this great pasttime in a big way. <h2>Early in the Year</h2> It started by actually buying a rod and reel last year for the boys fishing trip rather than just borrowing my brothers gear and I used that a bit at the end of last year to try out a couple little spots and I went ice fishing in Thunder Bay for the first time over the last Christmas break and didn't actually hate it (go figure). Come the new year I saw the posts about the Fishing for Tyler event and figured it was time to meet some new people who shared my passion/insanity. Luckily (for me maybe not for him hehe) Lexxington was looking for someone to walk about on the ice with him so I sent him a PM and went to canadian tire to pick up a plastic sled and some glove. Unfortunately I have no pictures but it was a fun day and I spent the rest of the winter going up to Simcoe, sometimes with Lexx, sometimes alone and with the help of many on the board I learned a lot and had fun. <h2>The beginning of the end</h2> Then it happened - that horrible month that included the spring fishing show, the outdoorsman show, the bass pro spring fishing sale. My credit card exploded. I had some ideas of what I wanted/needed but it didn't stop me from buying things I had no idea about. I even bought my first baitcaster - wrong handed of course . But I was set, or at least I thought so. The fact that I seemed to be buying something else every spare chance I had right up until just last week tells me there's always more goodies that I just have to have . <h2>The islands</h2>So now I was ready and but had no idea where to fish. I don't recall if I posted asking if anyone wanted to hook up or if PatrickG posted asking the same but either way we got in touch with each other in late March when Patrick wanted to hit the Toronto Islands. I'd read some of the island posts and wasn't sure if I believed there was actually fish there but I went along for the walk and what do you know. <a href=" title="Early Spring Toronto Island Pike by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2111914574_6265bc6a52.jpg" width="500" height="369" alt="Early Spring Toronto Island Pike" /></a> Even though I'm from NW Ontario I'm pretty sure that was the biggest pike I'd ever caught (not saying much but the fact that it was in the Toronto harbour just blew me away). <a href=" title="Patrick fishing by the tower by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2111896032_b90b8fedf5_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Patrick fishing by the tower" /></a> Throughout the spring I got to try a few harbour spots thanks to Patricks experience and also met up with Bitsmith2k (here he is being shown who the boss is by the locals) <a href=" title="Island birds show Mike who's boss by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2111905384_5d0d88a981_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Island birds show Mike who's boss" /></a> Before the weeds got too high we manged a few more including this guy <a href=" title="Toronto Island Pike by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2111916418_9f1c9a1140_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Toronto Island Pike" /></a> And I also learned a lesson - never take a small pike lightly. When trying to unhook a little snot rocket he zigged I zagged and ... welll... <a href=" title="OUCHHH! by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2111130109_03d47c38a9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="OUCHHH!" /></a> Lesson learned. <h2>Simcoe and Lake O</h2> After freezing on lake Simcoe a few times with Lexx he had a great idea - lets do this when its warm , Lexx dropped me a line when the Orillia perch festival came around and offered me a spot on his new boat if I was interested in a day of perching. Of course I was thrilled to get out and quickly pulled in a keeper <a href=" title="Smallest of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/2111913966_8365bfb192_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Smallest of the year" /></a> Lexx's first mate was constantly on the lookout for perch to the point we had to trick her just to get the fish into the livewell <a href=" title="Paul's first mate waiting for the fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2111125201_69d3a21168_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Paul's first mate waiting for the fish" /></a> Later in May Lexx invited me out on Lake Ontario for a morning of Salmon fishing. After getting over the shock of such an early morning we got out and had a great day (4 for 5 I think?) including my first ever Salmon <a href=" title="Lake Ontario Salmon by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2111900880_a740f0c3b7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lake Ontario Salmon" /></a> Big thanks to Lexx for all the fun times this year <a href=" title="Paul checking the salmon lines on Lake Ontario by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2111124579_cdef149475_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Paul checking the salmon lines on Lake Ontario" /></a> <h2>The Kawarthas</h2> Before this year I was pretty sure the fishing world ending at barrie (if not sudbury). Turns out there's these wonderful lakes known as the Kawarthas, who knew? My first introduction to the Kawarthas came in early June with Manitoba Rob and I hooked up for a trip to Stoney lake. I was thinking walleye all along but Rob had some thoughts of muskie. Sure enough we're trolling minnow harnesses on bottom bouncers when I snag a log. A log that starts shaking at me! My first ever muskie and even though he was snagged on the side I was a very happy camper. <a href=" title="My first muskie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2111135947_a60d09a130_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="My first muskie" /></a> Rob not to be outdone.... <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111904576/" title="Robs big fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2111904576_e649656cb9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Robs big fish" /></a> Hehe When bass opener rolled around I posted on the board asking if anyone wanted to hook up. Mikeh responded and said he had a boat and a plan. I told him I'd never caught a bass in my life and for some reason he said that was fine . Another trip to bass pro after a bit of googling and I showed up at Mike's place and realized I was going to go in a real bass boat! Yep, I get impressed easily but damn it that's a fine boat. Though our first day didn't go too well (3 fish landed I think?) Mike mentioned at the end that he goes out every weekend and I was welcome to join him again. Well I took Mike up on that several times throughout the summer and we explored a lot of water and I learned a lot about fishing bass. Mike loves the pads and showed me why several times, here he is getting started <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111128379/" title="Mike hitting the pads by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2111128379_191e76ebbd_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mike hitting the pads" /></a> And here's one on the bog <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111127325/" title="Mike with a nice scugog bass by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2111127325_34b2e90407_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Mike with a nice scugog bass" /></a> We had a great pattern - I sucked all day while Mike caught fish then at 5pm on the dot I'd start pulling them in. It happened all year long I even caught bass! <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111912144/" title="Scugog Bucket by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2111912144_a514909045_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Scugog Bucket" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111900418/" title="Final bass of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2111900418_38859aec9d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Final bass of the year" /></a> And my only southern ontario walleye of the year <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111907704/" title="Only south ontario walleye of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2111907704_7dfc027764_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Only south ontario walleye of the year" /></a> One of the funniest moments came on Pigeon when Mike made a cast, of sorts . I heard a little expletive and looked down a second too late as Mikes fancy rod went drifting away and under the waves. Luckily the spool was open and we managed to find the line and pull in one of Mikes better catches of the year. <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111906524/" title="Mike's best catch of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2111906524_3d2d0d54f8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mike's best catch of the year" /></a> We started spending enough time on Scugog that we actually figured out some patterns and by august we starting to focus on those wonderful fish - the muskellenge. We had some success, certainly nothing Lew like but we learned a lot and will be ready for next year. Here's my best from the bog <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111134345/" title="Scugog muskie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/2111134345_41b6e73b8f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Scugog muskie" /></a> and the release (I really like this shot) <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111133701/" title="Releasing a muskie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2111133701_4683b18c08_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Releasing a muskie" /></a> I also hooked up with PatrickG and Bitsmith2k on a couple occasions to rent tinnies for lovesick and stoney lake action. For some reason (my guess is its all my fault) we never managed to do really well but we had fun. Here's Bithsmith showing off his biggest <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111123529/" title="Mike showing the monster lovesick fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2111123529_a26c686956_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mike showing the monster lovesick fish" /></a> And patrick with something a bit better <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111897774/" title="Lovesick bass by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2111897774_b3c0700d54_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lovesick bass" /></a> <h2>Thunder Bay</h2> As I mentioned earlier every year for the last few years a gourp of guys that went to high school together have gotten together back in Thunder Bay for a week of fishing. This year we had a lot of people bail (for lousy reasons like having a child the day before - bah) and it ended up being just 4 of us. The plus side was that all 4 of us really wanted to fish. We headed out to Lac des Milles Lac for 5 days and started off with our first sacrifice to the fishing gods <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111908580/" title="Ooops - NW ontario logging roads by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2111908580_66ddfc0bf1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Ooops - NW ontario logging roads" /></a> Luckily it worked! We had a great time catching smallies (really didn't expect those, what a fun surpirse), billions of grass pikes (snot rockets) like these <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111897280/" title="One of a zillion Lac snot rockets by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2111897280_eb129321ec_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="One of a zillion Lac snot rockets" /></a> And some real pike <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111895258/" title="Daves Lac pike by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2111895258_f4d1ef1b03_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Daves Lac pike" /></a> And of course walleyes galore <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111916950/" title="Toothy Walleye from NW Ontario by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2111916950_027723897a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Toothy Walleye from NW Ontario" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111898488/" title="Nice NW Ontario walley by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/2111898488_6ed3511c2e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Nice NW Ontario walley" /></a> And then the combo pike eating my walleye! <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111901742/" title="Pike taking my walleye by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/2111901742_060b4d9e25_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Pike taking my walleye" /></a> We had great weather the whole trip - beautiful days on the water like this <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111120195/" title="Perfect way to spend a day by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2111120195_d0bdc3c8e2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Perfect way to spend a day" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111115093/" title="Classic NW Ontario fishing by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/2111115093_8df4aa9572_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Classic NW Ontario fishing" /></a> But the last night a huge storm blew through that nearly tore the roof off and left trees down and leaves plastered to everything <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111136823/" title="Storm damage by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2111136823_e109a330f5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Storm damage" /></a> But we persevered and enjoyed some great meals <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111117659/" title="mmmm now thats some tasty fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2111117659_fc2a0eb532_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="mmmm now thats some tasty fish" /></a> with friends <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111138469/" title="The Dog River RiverDawgs by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2111138469_4da495e396_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="The Dog River RiverDawgs" /></a> A few weeks later I was back in TBay for a wedding so I hooked up with the guys again to try something none of us had. The Kaminisitiqua river is located in my parents back yard. In fact its no more than 10 blocks from where my buddy stores his boat yet none of us had fished it before. We'd all heard it was ok and since I had limited time we tried it out. Holy crap it was great! Nearly non stop fish during the evenings with a mix of eyes and some bonus smallies. Defintely be back there again. <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111899544/" title="Kam River 'Eye by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2111899544_08960ba5d9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Kam River 'Eye" /></a> <h2>The Grand River</h2> Now we come to my favourite part of the year. While I loved fishing the kawarthas and of course the Thunder Bay trips is always a highlite I had no idea what river fishing was until Patrick said we should try the Grand river. First he showed me the secrets of the Toronto Harbour and now he showed me the joy of river fishing. <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111121001/" title="Foggy day on the river by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2154/2111121001_afd5219b4b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Foggy day on the river" /></a> There's something so nice about having a single rod and a very basic tackle selection and then wandering into the water that's just fun. We went out several times during the summer and always had a good time. Sure we had days where we barely caught any but we also had days where we couldn't keep them off. The majority of the fish are kinda small compared to oh say Simcoe smallies but we caught a few real hogs as well. We really didn't do a whole lot of exploring though we got to a few spots and one day I got a ping from fatherof3 in Paris offering to hook up for some time on the Grand down in his end which was great (also got to fish the Nith). Here he is in one of those rare times when he's not taking great pictures <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111115675/" title="Brad looking for fish in Paris by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2111115675_b989f1be74_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Brad looking for fish in Paris" /></a> There's just so much wonderful water on that river and its tribs and I haven't even tried the GTA area rivers yet. Damn I'm getting excited just thinking about putting on the waders again next year. Though each of these pics has a story behind them I'll just put them out for you - the video at the end of the post really captures the kind of fun we had out there. <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111131907/" title="Patrick striking the pose by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2111131907_3bc1071d74_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Patrick striking the pose" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111124315/" title="Nothing beats tube fishing for smallies by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2111124315_745128f544_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Nothing beats tube fishing for smallies" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111909438/" title="Patrick with a Grand smallie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2111909438_4d07769437_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Patrick with a Grand smallie" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111132265/" title="Me with a grand smallie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2111132265_bab0b535e7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Me with a grand smallie" /></a> <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111131005/" title="Another nice grand bass by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2111131005_4013cab48f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Another nice grand bass" /></a> <h2>End of the year</h2> Finally in November Mikeh and I hooked up again for a Muskie charter that Mike had won in an auction. The day started great even though the weather was pretty miserable. Mike caught the first one then I pulled in a 45. Mike missed the next so I was up for the 4th which turned out to be our last of the day but what a beauty. My biggest fish of the year, all 48 and a half inches of her <a href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111911786/" title="48.5" - Largest of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2111911786_3776e01348_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="48.5" - Largest of the year" /></a> Mike and I managed to get out a couple more times for some miserable november fishing but that was pretty much it for me. <h2>In Summary</h2> So that about wraps it up. I take away a few things from this year: One - I really enjoy fishing and can't believe I took this long to start again Two - I can't take it seriously, I don't care if I get skunked, I just enjoy being outside. If you're a nit picker about every detail of fishing you probably don't want to fish with me Three - Its more fun with friends. Though some days being out by yourself can be great its almost always more fun with others around to share the good times. Four - OFC is full of incredible people. I've only met a few but have yet to meet anyone I'd not go fishing with again. This is a great group of people and I can't wait to keep fishing with you all in the new year. So thats's about it. Throughout the year I managed to take a few video clips that I've posted in my reports. I've taken some of the better ones and put them together as a little summary: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMuGM8P09E&rel=1"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMuGM8P09E&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMuGM8P09E&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> You can find the rest of the videos (mostly Patrick catching fish after fish and several more from Lac des milles Lac) at my YouTube page and loads of pics on my Flickr page See you all in the new year. Sean

Thanks for all the input guys. Och - I remember you pointing out the lube port when I bought the 1421s off you. I'll do that and just loosen the drag on the rest. And I think Lexx makes the best point - I don't want them to last too long or i won't have an excuse to go out and get new gear

Thanks for the leads Kevin. Its a mix bag of reels - nothing truly high end so spending a ton on cleaning isn't something I want to do but ruining them myself would obviously be worse. Lets see, there's a couple quantum classic 1421 bait casters (the only ones with a decent diagram of where to put what type of lubricant), a BPS extreme bait caster, a cabela prodigy bait caster (a rebranded daiwa advantage), a couple Shimano Sahara spinning reels and couple other cheap spinning reels (less worried about them)

Hey everyone, since this is the first year I've owned reels worth more than $30 I figure I should try to take them. I was about to get started cleaning them up but frankly I'm the least mechanically inclined guy in the world so I know if I take them fully apart I'll screw it up putting them back together. After looking over some online guides and the crappy documentation that comes with the reels I'm getting worried that I'll make it worse (I'll use too much oil or grease or use grease in spots that need oil etc etc). I'm beginning to think it might be worth getting a professional to do it (I'm much better at spending money than learning things myself hehe). Can anyone recommend a service (and some idea of costs for 6 reels)? Alternatively if I can do it myself without having to totally take apart the reels and someone can point me to some really easy to follow tips on where to put oil and grease for both spinning and bait casting reels that would be great. Thanks in advance Sean

That was a great read. Next years goal is definitely to take up fly fishing.

What do you mean long winter? I'm looking forward to part 3 -Cliff goes ice fishing! You know you really love the hard water A fantastic year for both of you and a great recap. Can't even imagine what next years will be like now that you've got a boat - scary.

Great stuff as always - can't wait to see the next 10 parts

Welcome aboard. Good job with the 'walleye' comment in a first post, I like a man willing to stand up for the truth