bigbuck

It'll all work out in the end. I'm sorry that your realtor was a thief (good on him that he won't get paid-the dumb bugger-I'm being nice). It really bugs me when I hear things like this. Thankfully, you found another house quickly. A lot of people who don't have a clue of how to properly put together a real estate deal have jumped in and are now agents so they can take advantage of the red hot market. Most don't know their arse from their underwear and that's sad. I saw the same thing in my industry in the late 90's with the tech bubble and dot bombs. A lot of people jumped in who were totally unqualified and clueless and lost a lot of money for their unfortunate clientele. Honesty may not get you rich quick, but I'd rather be the tortoise than the hare.

I think BassPro still has the Shimano Stradics on for about $125 (the 2500 size). Otherwise, a Quantum, Daiwa, Shimano Sahara (I've got 2) are all good. Once you get to that price point, most of the reels are reely (pardon the pun) good. You should get many years of faithful service out of it.

Congrats on losing your cherry!!! I guess that the local tackle shops will be seeing more of you over the next while as you have been bitten by the BUG!!! I hope you catch tons more.

Nice peck'o perch!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope your aunt beats this nasty disease and that one day we won't have to worry about it.

Ouch Cliff!! My father in law dealt with that last summer when we went up to Kenora to visit. However, they did not operate on him for 2 weeks and he had a couple of very painful attacks along with a couple of hours each time in the emergency for us and a couple of overnight stays. The surgeon was so booked that even with something that serious, dad had to wait for the surgery. Be thankful that we live in Southern Ontario where there are quite a few hospitals and doctors around. In Northern Ontario, it's a different story. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I'm disappointed, I thought you were the all time Rock Bassin' Champ of the World, here you are catching the ugliest, nastiest looking fish in all of Ontario (except for the couple of 'eyes). Keep a tight line, you never know when you'll hook something.

Congrats to your daughter!!! Now she has a $70k piece of paper that will open doors that are potentially worth a couple of mill!! Have a safe summer and stay away from the hard things under the water, they are called R O C K S!! They take out props and lower units that cost many a $$$ to fix. Before I forget, SLAY THE FISH WHILE YOU ARE UP THERE!!!!

Yup, if the dealer went to bat like that for you, I'd definitely post his name and contact info. There's a lot of marinas that could learn from service like that. Sweet boat and I hope you guys nail tons of fish with her. Good luck.

That looks like the kinda spot I'd like to take the Mrs. to in a couple of years when our rugrats grow up enough for mommy and daddy to take off for a few days on their own. Did Italo catch any fish himself?? LOL

Nice, can you extend my shaft?.................. Good work, too bad LUND didn't think of that when they designed the boat. Anyways, one less worry for your new baby. I think within a month or so, that boat of yours will be totally awesome and a heck of a lot of fun.

I'd do a double dose of pretty much any of the cleaners for 2 tanks of premium and run both tanks till she's dry. That should clean up the injectors a fair bit. But, one thing to remember, gas has a lot more detergents in it then it used to so unless you've been running bad gas, your injectors should not be too bad. The guys at the oil change place are trying to up-sell you so take what they say with a grain of salt. Have you noticed your van cranking more than usual to start?? That's usually the sign that the injectors are dirty.

Nice report but you are so mean!! Now I'm hungry for a fish fry. Igotta try to get out maybe on Thursday afternoon for some fishin'.

Very very nice trip. I'm green with envy. A trip like that is incredible especially since you are winging it for a week with regards to a lake and campsite. Nice gators.

Go with the PP in 20lb test with a fluorocarbon leader, it'll be a great combo. Those Quantum spinning reels are definitely SUHWEET! Good fishing.

Well, I used to fish when I was in school, once I started working, golf was my passion then I got me a girlfriend, bought a house got married so both golf and fishing were foregone conclusions then the kids came along. A couple of trips to LOTW to visit the in-laws re-kindled my love affair with fishing. Now I can't wait to get out, it's only been once so far this year but hopefully I'll get a line wet at Centre Island on father's day. A trip searching for toothy critters in the Kawartha's is in the works before the end of the month.

Try getting new plugs first, it could be a bad plug, you never know. 15 bucks is better than a couple of hundred. If it isn't the plugs, well, you will have a spare set in the boat (which you should anyways). Good luck and good fishing.

Nice!!! 2 and a half years old, you gotta love that. I think you will have a new fishing partner that you can groom over the next few years. I hope you guys enjoy a lifetime of fishing fun.

Cuba is hit and miss. Some resorts are pretty good but the thing you have to remember is if you are not paying 5 star prices, don't expect 5 stars. The beaches are gorgeous and the rum is great (viva Cuba Libres (free Cuba - rum and coke)). After my trip there 9 years ago, I'd have expected Che Guverra's pictures to have come down and mine to have gone up after all the Rum I partook in. The food isn't great but what do you expect for under $1500/week?? Shawn, at least you nailed some nice fish, I've heard some great stories about 'cudas and how they make a good muskie fight seem like pulling up a small log.

Nice little 'ski and some decent 'eyes for the pan. There is a nice 40 odd inch 'ski in Upper Buck with my name on it. He followed my lure 3 times and I stopped fishing figuring I'll get'im next time.

Everyone seems to forget that ESSO is the company that has these "fires and explosions" going on at their refineries. PetroCanada used to keep everyone honest when they were owned by us, the Canadian people until our friendly federal government decided to spin off their assets in the company to make the books look better and balance the budget. I kinda laugh about it because I grew up working at Knob Hill Farms (remember the grocery stores). A few years ago you could still get T-Bone Steaks for under $10/kilo. I was at Dominion over the weekend and saw that Striploin steaks were $30.84/kilo. Jeez, the independant guy closes the doors to focus on the business that was making boatloads of money for himself (the Leafs) and the big boys start hosing the consumers. Please remember that competition is good, monopolies and oligopolies are not. Look at the banks, Canada Trust used to keep everyone on their toes with regards to customer service, once they were bought out, things have steadily declined for the consumer, more user fees, less service and like. That's my rant, I could go on and on and on

How true, how true. Before GPS and fishfinders, some oldtimers really slayed the fish whenever they went out. I guess they just knew where to look. That's a great sign. I guess after all the troubles you are going through, they are throwing you a bone. Keep at'em and you'll have one heck of a sweet ride.

Jeez Lew-eeze!!! Lew, that's a whole whack of stuff, how big did you say your boat was?? I guess you used to be a boy scout (be prepared). Good luck this season and I hope you absolutely slay the toothy critters.

WOW!!! NICE PIKE!!!! That made the whole thing worth while!! Catching a few eyes for the frying pan is nice too but the big pike takes the cake! Nice pics and great report.

Lew, I've been busy for the past several days and when I saw your post I was shocked! My deepest condolences go to you and your family, the loss of a loved one, especially someone so young is devastating. You have suffered too much over the past few years. Be strong for yourself and your whole family. I never met Eddy, I only got to meet you at the Odessey and if your brother was anything like you, the world is a lesser place with his loss. My heart goes out to you. Bruce