Old Ironmaker

We used to get all our maps from The Canadian Center for Inland Waters. They are located at the lift bridge below the Burlington Skyway bridge. They weren't free. If they don't have the map it most likely doesn't exist.

I've never hunted. We did climb around the Hamilton escarpment with target arrows when around 10 years old looking for Mountain Lions. I should first say I now wish I would have hunted when younger and really judge for myself if I would have enjoyed it as much as have come to love fishing. I bought my first rod and reel at 30. The only person I knew that was a serious hunter was my younger brother and he did invite me at 35 to join him and his group, that did not turn out well and I never joined them again. I didn't hold a gun to their chagrin as I wasn't licenced to. He's many years younger. I have a few questions that may help me understand why some people insist on telling others how to and how not to enjoy life. We have seasons specific to certain fish species, most are aimed to ensure the species best chance for ensuring a future population of that species, if not all. IE bed protecting Bass are targeted post spawn and beyond before the season opens. Why was spring chosen for the hunting season if the cubs are susceptible at that time of year? How many bears would be needed to be harvested to put enough of a dent on the population of nuisance bears? A bear in a school yard or in your backyard is more than a nuisance in my opinion, that would be downright a dangerous situation. Who chose that word to describe a possible killer? Have we had any instances of a bear that has killed anyone in their backyard since 1999, or worse a child in a schoolyard in Ont? Are these Black Bears more aggressive in Spring? Any incite is much appreciated for this transplanted southern Ontario citiot. I once saw a bear, on TV. Johnny D

I will pass it on TJ, any idea when they will know when it is available for certain. Many people that actually still work for a living need to book summer vacations now, like my wife. Looks like a very nice place to enjoy and relax. Not like these McMansions that you need to take off your shoes to go into.

If you have any of the original gas I would have it analyzed. It will ensure you some restful nights if you are like me, especially when you put it away next year.

Art, don't forget this is in Canada, a 15 pound cat is small. Don't tell a Texan but northern Ontario is bigger than Texas, that's only the part of northern Ontario not yet mapped, we really don't know how big it really is. I've caught cats on the Grand with the precooked shrimp if we can't find uncooked. Rich you must have an unlimited supply of off stewing beef. That's the stuff you sell there on sale isn't it? The kid that worked for Steve probably did sell us the rotten stuff. At first he said they were all out of cut bait so we went to the store and bought some shrimp, when we got back we saw him give a guy a bag of the stuff and called him on it. I guess they were out of it after all. I would have thought it would have worked even better. Will give the good stuff a go this year, if it doesn't stink to high heaven.

For what may be damaged running that compromised fuel through the engine and components dump it all. Buddy put his 30 footer away 5 years ago with about $700.00 of gas at prices then. Decided to put her in this year. We took a sample to the refinery here in Nanticoke and as a public service they analyzed it. With a suggested amount of additive they said it was good to go. My opinion was any tar that settled on the bottom will eventually come free and make a mess of the fuel system, probably 20 miles from shore in a storm. Tough decision to dump 1000 bucks worth of fuel to flush the tank clean. Easy decision to dump 20 gallons and start fresh. The reason there is that amount of water in it is a real mystery, are you 100% sure it's water?

Man that laker is a pig. A great day for you both, easy to remember those kind of days tough to forget the days you burn fuel and sight see for 8 hours. Got the call at 9PM tonight, weather looks good for tomorrow and am invited to hit the ramp at the canal lift bridge in the AM, can't sleep now. I guess everyone else was busy so I get to go, who cares why.

Fantastic day and report. Good for you my man, hammering the fish was a bonus. It brings back memories of bushwhacking for smallies in small streams, never got the trout fever.

Nick, you are blessed. Enjoy it, in 10 or so years he might not want to be seen in public with you, I doubt it though. There is one pic of the tyke where the light catches his nose just right and well,,,,,, no DNA testing to prove he's yours that's for sure. My father did some imprinting with us when I was his age, he would take my brother and me to the hotel, he did leave the windows cracked opened a bit. At least when we visited Noni in Buffalo and the Uncles went bar hopping we were allowed inside for a Birch Beer. Ahh the good old days.

Nice way to start the year. How many times can you take a pic of the same fish? This where I'm supposed to insert a winking face thing.

Shrimp has been the go to bait for us for years. Did the rotting chicken guts sitting in the sun for a few days and Fishmasters secret bait is rotten any medium sized fish such as shad, sucker, mooneye, herring etc. My boat stunk for a month a few years ago when a bag of that stuff Steve sells fell on the carpet and the juice spilled out, man that is disgusting stuff . That will never see the inside of my boat again. What ever larger baitfish that can be caught in Dunnville is what he will use as far as I'm told by a Dunnville insider. No need to get hung up about shad vs. herring vs. sucker debate. Any solid skin fish that won't break down after the rotting process will do the trick. Pickled Herring isn't something that makes my mouth drool. I like a bait like shrimp as I can eat it after it has a meeting with my Zippo. By the way the frozen shrimp out fished the Fishmasters stuff. Nothing caught on Steve's roadkill that day. A Dunnville joke, Ran into a gal from Dunnville, she has 7 teeth and 4 were in her purse. Strange thing is the shrimp doesn't smell much at all but to the big cats it sure must.

WD, that' just sucks. I'd call my insurance agent. I would think it might be covered under comp for the car or the home. It costs nothing to ask. Then go the route I do for a cell phone, $25.00 a month Koodo, then use my computer for computer stuff. But I do understand how valuable they can be for doing business today, a necessary evil. I would never leave my $800.00 anything unlocked and know you won't in the future either, I've done it, more than a few times. Ever wonder why one seldom see's a Sr. with a $800.00 I phone? We can't see the screen. Call the insurance company, can't hurt.

Fish Farmer, a frozen lake has never stopped you from launching your boat. Are you putting the auger in the boat?

Congrats Craig, there sure is an abundance of talent among the membership here. Smokestack, I hear you. I really can't relate to a 3000 sqft boathouse let alone some kigillionaires built in water slide that tunnels through a mountain for the kids. Love the old shows of Cottage Life they are showing now. Sure depended on Hobby the Handyman when we first bought our first cottage. Didn't know the difference between a shallow well pump and an Insulin pump.

Cliff, 12 years on shingles is very poor performance. As suggested there is something going on here that isn't kosher. I re shingled 2 years ago. All the quotes for steel came in at least 30% higher than shingles. There were a few reasons we didn't go with steel, primarily the only steel my wife wanted was more than double the price. If my wife doesn't want something it ain't getin done. Plus we have a cathedral ceiling and sound could be an issue. We stayed at a friends place and slept upstairs and it rained and not hard and we never slept due to the definite sound. I have to add it was a low pitched roof that might add to the sound factor as there would be less space between the ceiling and roof sheathing. Steel is a no brainer at that price but be sure to ask for a few numbers and addresses of customers they have done work for and call them for feedback. Call before the guy leaves. Drive by to look for yourself, you wouldn't believe how many contractors give you testimonials from family members that never had work done. Tough to do when we are talking a steel roof, easy to talk about a kitchen reno when you never get to see the kitchen. I am very cynical aren't I. It's saved me money over the years.

I have 2 on my boat Drifter and pull lead core and large dipsies on Erie and Ontario, never had an issue. Buddy caught a commercial net last year no problem.

This multi quote thing doesn't want to work for me. As far as shooting her, not too drastic. I can think of worse thing for this excuse of a human being. If I wrote what I really thought I'd be getting sued. Coming out of retirement is what I'm thinking of doing. Not from Ironmaking but from the days we did some things on the streets of Hamilton some years back I'd like to forget. Fishin Autographs. I know you see things the general public will never see and never want to, but you said your not surprised. Is it really that bad out there now? I wouldn't be surprised to see this happening in some backwater county in the States but here in Ontario, really? To even try and lay blame on the parents for letting the kids ride on a dark, wet night is ridiculous. If anyone knows tonight your child will be killed they would never be let out of ones sight. It's tough being the parent of a teen, now and before. If anyone thinks they really know what their teens are up to, or 20 year olds you're very naïve.

Good to know you will let the insurance company that you have paid several thousands of dollars over the years do what you paid them to do. Don't calculate what you have paid them for, I did, could have bought a brand house and paid it off long ago if I knew what I would pay for car insurance 44 years ago. Forget about what we spent on cars and trucks and motorcycles and boats and, and. I'll be 60 soon and know exactly how you feel, honour and integrity is something we spend our entire lives to earn and uphold then some punk comes along and questions it. In the old days that would have been grounds for a sound, emergency room visit for the punk, and once an old school cop got the story he would have patted you on the back for giving someone a good beating for being a goof. I forgot you were backing up.You are at fault 110%. No one has to mitigate damages by beeping the horn or stopping.He probably sped up when he saw $ signs. You and I are stuck in the days of war protests and Janis Joplin. Our bars are set to high and when someone doesn't live up to our standards we are disappointed. I have learned to let it go, tough yes, I can't spend any(more) time in the hoosgow. Too old, too tired, and far too sore. Good luck oldtimer and let it go. We are the type of people that edit posts to correct small spelling errors and grammar, sometimes I do at least. Some of the posts I read here give you an idea of how people live just by how they write a sentence if you can call it a sentence. No self respect in my judgement. The bars are set at ankle height for a few I'm afraid. From another soon to be asking for a Sr.s coffee oldtimer, man I never thought I'd see the day!

Oh man I thought you were looking for a real bike, and was going to chime in on the Harley vs. Japanese knock off debate. Enjoy your new bicycle, don't forget to buy a bell.

Like I've said before your nuts Dave, but then again you are a retired Steel Maker from the east end, that explains a lot. We Iron Makers don't pay to get exited we get paid to get exited.

What's going on here Big Cliff? In the original thread and this one everyone, I mean everyone is telling you to let your insurance handle it, yet you insist on trying to handle it yourself, contacting the cop Monday, wanting the dufuss charged by the crown (which is never going to happen, they have big fish to fry) worrying about being sued in small claims. If I didn't know any better I would say you don't have any insurance or would have called them to deal with this months ago or whenever it was. Now they might say why are you telling us now, you should have called the first day, there even may be a statute of limitations for you to report, it may be one year if I recall so you are OK there, but what exactly are you waiting for? It sounds like your sensibilities have been ruffled and can't believe you are being targeted. Don't take it personally, Fraud happens thousands of times a day in Canada. You are taking it very personally. I have to ask again why don't you want to let your insurance company take care of this? You are either the most stubborn Cliff I know of, don't have insurance or are actually at fault for this accident.

Way to go Mike. stopped at a local creek that I always wanted to try for ice out crappie and tossed a microjig and a pencil float and caught a 12" perch after 30 seconds, thought I snagged on something, what a surprise, almost summer like, exactly. Unfortunatly the only fish in that creek. Spent another 1\2 hour, nothing.

I used the search and found a dozen or so discusions using the key phrase " deep cell battery ".

There was plenty of discussion on batteries here concerning the same thing last spring. You can search that thread(s) here on the site. What I did learn looking for 2 replacements for the 24 volt unit I have is that 1 manufacturer, something industries, and I'll be dammed if I can remember the company makes about 80% of all batteries. Then places like The Price Club, CTC, Wally World and Costco etc. slaps their brand on the things such as Kirkland, Die Hard and Nautilas for example. The difference between a $89.99 battery and a $149.99 battery is the number of times the battery can drain from 100% charge to 20% and still maintain a re charge. As the battery ages and discharges the less full charge time can be had. Can't go wrong with Interstates, my personal favorite. As the saying goes you get what you pay for. Some may have sat on the shelf for a year, like selling milk, old stock to the front of shelf,that's not good. And like Bill said running 2 in parallel is great if you have the room and the coin. And there is a difference between a car, RV and marine battery.

Off the grid to me means having a shallow well pump and having to drive 500 meters to get the mail and take out the recycle and trash. That's about as much ruffing it I can take. But seriously looked at a wind turbine that ran about 60K 11 years ago with inverter, battery building and can't remember what else. We have plenty of wind here on the north shore of Erie. It wouldn't have taken us completely off the grid depending on high draw appliances. AC was out of the question and back up solar was suggested. ROI was very long term even factoring in 15% estimated rate increases annually. Maintenance of system and interest on the 60K and a 20 year estimated life span made it a break even after 20 years then your spending big bucks to upgrade to last another 20 years. A Mom and Pop marine operation that builds and refurbishes steel vessels put a similar system in 10 or so years back to run a few welders and he is very happy with it.