Old Ironmaker

I believe fishing is secondary here. Our annual charity Golf tourney we have for someone in the community or close to us that is having a rough time has nothing to do with golfing, we can golf any day we want to. Actually just today we were talking and saying we hope no on needs us this year. Wouldn't that be great.

Watched the latest episode yesterday. Still entertaining, even Taro hasn't got me taking meds yet. I thought the Shimano team would be talking a run to Erie. It is spring yet they boated and measured a Smallmouth. I know it isn't the end of June by where the fish were holding according to Paul, who is obviously the team Capt. I can't be positive but I know you didn't need winter wear last June's opener. They didn't do well here, how can you go to Erie for Pics and forget line counters, Dipsys and or leadcore home? Oh I forgot what my wife keeps telling (yelling at) me " It's a TV show!!". I like the Maniotba guy when he breaks out into his best Al Linder Chicago accent with a sprinkle of Minnisotian. I like it.

I am empathetic Can U as cold means cash to you. But winter can't end soon enough for me. My DNA is embedded in a region of this planet where Palm trees are everywhere. I'm no longer built for cold days and colder nights. I don't know where my shovel is and I'm just happy to leave it wherever it is. Go north if it's cold you want, there's enough there for you all but leave us southerners be, please.

Bruce people used to say "Man your lucky to have that pension plus benefits" Lucky? we earned them, now the benefits are gone, ya lucky. Luck is still keeping them. You are one lucky country gentleman Bruce.

The most serious Walleye tourney here on the east end of Erie is the 444 Tournament, check it out. 4 fish, 4 fisherman 4 tournaments in total, here plus in the US. Many Pro's enter from here and US. Last year a crew of locals won the whole shebang here out of Pt. Colbourne, nice to see the pro's get schooled. Can enter 1 or all of them. The first of the series is out of Port Colbourne. A serious very well run series. The newest out here is The Maitland Mayhem, this will be the 3rd year, not as big as 444 but a decent weekend of less serious fun. It is run out of Fishmaster's Marina who is a member and contributor here. My 19 foot boat is too small to deal with rougher weather here and if we can't go out in these 2 we lose the entry $$ which isn't derby money change. The local derby we do attend is the Fisherville Firefighters Perch and Walleye Derby. If you are interested PM me in June or July, it is usually held on the Aug 1st long weekend. Fun for all with the perch prize the boat size isn't as critical and the kids can play too. Let me know.

We, 2of us, got snowed in overnight in a shack on Erie 25 years back on Long Point Bay. You couldn't see 5 feet at 2 PM. No cell service, enough food and not enough Brandy. Once it got dark I knew we were in for the night, No way a sled was going to come out on the lake with 50K plus winds so loud we couldn't hear a thing with zero visibility. Once it got dark at 5 I knew we were in for the night. Knowing the wood was not going to last we kept the hut just bare able with wind chills around -25. Wood was the challenge. We knew we would run out around 2 AM then freeze to death as there was no gaurentee they could come out at dawn. The plan was to tie mono to the drawer of the short straw and make a run to the shack about 50 feet west of us. Take it apart and crawl back. 4 pound perch mono would not be safe and it would be a last chance scenario only. We considered cutting clothing and making a rope. It took all our effort to keep the snow from blowing under the shack until we figured we would wet the snow from the lake and freeze it solid, good move. Once the snow stopped blowing in we broke shelving to burn then started pulling plywood off the floor, not easy as it sounds with a 6 inch knife. Of course we didn't catch a fish all night. The wind stopped blowing around 5 AM, and they got to us just after dawn. Not a fun experience but an experience never the less. We kept our heads but I won't say I wasn't concerned we both were. This lake can kill you faster than a bullet. We were back out a week latter and a small diameter 100 foot nylon cord and more food than needed are a staple now when I do go out, energy bars, many of them. And I check exactly where the closest hut us and where with my mini compass, a small camping hatchet too, better than live minnows on the ice. Oh plus an extra bottle of Brandy, or 2. edit: My fishing pal Felice made fun of me for bringing a pot of chile, half a dozen sausages, potatoes in foil and a loaf of Calabrese bread. He wasn't making fun of me at 2 AM when he was licking the pot of Chile clean. Not to diminish the plight of the Lake W fisherman, but I would have been very happy to be stuck I a truck with heat and reclining seats, a propane heater plus owning a cell phone with service. There was zero service here then and didn't even bother bringing my Motorolla brick on the ice. The batteries lasted a few hours then and had to be plugged in if you weren't using it. It looked cool though.

Before I retired, very early with our 25 and out plan, I had a script for arthritis and went to the Dentist every 6 months. Last November I met with my family doc and the staff Pharmacist that tries and keep up with my 2 page list of scripts I get now because I wanted to know what I can stop taking without risking death. I had coverage since starting at the plant at 18 years old. At 61 I as well as few members here were told tomorrow you have zero coverage. Just like that. Insulin is a no brainer, everything else except the meds to control a tumour on my Thyroid was on the table, plus the post bladder cancer meds so I don't piss myself in public, that's a no brainer. With all my meds I was and still am looking at around $700.00 a month on average not including dental. As Doc Andy put it no matter what you believe I don't give you meds you don't need so I can go to Jamaica paid by the drug companies. As far as dental I'll clean my own teeth from now on. If you are a healthy now, bless you, what about tomorrow? I can't get another insurer to touch me for 700 bucks a month coverage, maybe $1200.00 monthly with this new health scenario until I'm 65, and it is limited. edit: I took Denver and won so I can cover next months meds, so I'm good. I think you know my opinion unless someone can guarantee you won't need any meds now or in the future. Like our great orator Yogi Berra said about insurance, " If ya got it ya don't need it, if ya don't got it ya need it".

I got schooled a few years back when I called a Fishing tournament a derby. Huge difference, especially to the organizers and players. Derbys are for red and white bobbers and kiddies, tourneys are for Pro's and guys that slap stickers on their boats and the sew patches to their "fishing shirts" that think they are pro's. Just ask them.

I caught a Bat Ray that was almost in the same setting. I'm just glad I didn't step on it first.

It doesn't seem you are learning a lesson. 5 tickets? I've had 5 tickets in 44 years of driving, 4 before 21. Man slow down, I did.

Hey Lucas, neat looking at the home. Being from Hamilton myself originally I grew up in the same centre hall plan story and 1/2 that are spread al across the city and mountain. For a solid surface I choose Corian. Granite and marble are both NOT being chosen by many designers now. Imagine spending thousands for a life time surface and it's not in vogue in 10 years? Are you going to knock out that wall between the kitchen and ground floor bedroom? Dad did in 67 before open concept was in. Great tile job. Keep it up oh and check out Canac Kitchens in Hamilton. They have been around and are local for many years. I built a home off Lake Ave. and used them way back in 86'. Then again in 92'. Stoney Creek Kitchens as well. There are several local kitchen builders here in Haldimand, Cayuga (DeBoar's is the best) and a few in Hagersville. I know you will save money driving 45 mins from the city.

Were all coming up for the Christening.

Hitting the east end of Erie, then follow the fish to the west end and work my way back home. I'll tow the boat to Lake Ont in the spring and fall for a day.

They tend not to operate on torn cartilage once past 40 anylonger Cliff. My wife tore one a few winters back, told she can live with it and she does.

Man I just commented the other day, that's a lot of board and batton on that garage, then I see it on TV today. It's just sad, I will reserve comment other than tp say you want my truck here's the f ing keys. I told you the story of the oldtimer in Hamilton that killed a teen for stealing his tomatoes.

Aright, aright, aright. For a while there I thought it was an internet rumour.

That is terrible news Rick. Especially with the kids witnessing it. I have heard of this happening many times before. The Dog never bothers the Cat for years and then one day just attacks it. My own dog years ago got along great with all the kids then one afternoon for no reason or provocation took a chunk out of my 4 year old niece. The Vet said this can happen with a dog when it gets older. Watch that dog closely M2.

Not Europe, Scandanavia. Big isn't the word. I saw it in the Internet, it must be true, like El Chappo escaping again on ABC News.

We live on the Erie lakeshore. If I throw a stone off the deck it hits the lake. Yesterday there was 400 feet of pack ice. That stuff is 3 or 4 feet thick on shore, stuff that blows in and freezes. This AM, nothing. I just don't get the denial.

You can only preach to those that will listen. Risk your life for a few Perch? Come on man. I can't walk out and run and gun on the ice like I could 30 years ago and wish I could. But on this ice? What ice? I risked my life pretty well every shift we went into the Blast Furnaces at the plant. 3/4" armour plate between you and 3500F. Not 350F, 3500F. No need for a crematorium. But that was to feed my family and keep them with a roof over their head. For a few fish I am amazed at the number of people that insist this ice across the province is safe after the deaths attributed to too it this year. For those that insist I have to ask? Are you stupid or what? A rhetorical question. This makes me question your mode of thinking Huzzaba. Maybe not a politically correct comment but are you nuts man?

I hear you. I have to tell you FNA, I played ball with an D lineman for the Stoney Creek Patriots of the NFC that looked just like Al Bundy the shoe salesman that became a really good cop in Hamilton. I always have a smile when I see your avatar and think of Dominic the Cop. It only took him 7 times to pass his Sgts. exam. Maybe PTCD. Too many bell ringers.

I was thinking the same thing, he's going to sell me something to cure it. Not really shameful, it's commerce. Everytime we turn on our phones, use a credit card or bank card, bank or credit card, go on the net, turn on the TV, pull our GPS enabled, information gathering computer chip installed vehicles out of the driveway we are sending someone personal info. It's 2016. What's an App? I have become my parents and can't get the VCR to stop flashing 12:00.

I have personally known some cops in Hamilton that actually went to Aylmer that have impersonated a Police Officer for their entire careers. I was going to call this crew but thought better as they would have my phone number and could cause me unwarranted grief.

The prudent decision would be to pack up the short rods until next winter. Huzzaba just because an operator says "It should be fine" isn't a vote of confidence I would be betting my warm dry skin on. Stay off the ice Huzz and cast into some open water, which there is plenty of all around.

The last time I was on Quinte it was a bit over 2" thick, maybe, unbeknown to me until I got a ear full from a guy 25 feet away as the water came up from his hole as I walked by. Back to shore tout suite.