Old Ironmaker

Bill I don't disagree. As far as buying a car sight unseen, thousands of items are sold online daily for more than the price of a used car sight unseen, the type of item bought has nothing to do with it. I don't think Ranger will know if the steering assist even works until it's on the boat, I don't know the man but I wouldn't call him stupid. It may be just me but I really despise the word stupid, stupid is a DNA thing, it's in the genes, can't be helped. I don't think any of us weren't young and stupid at least once. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times for me, and young sometimes had nothing to do with it.

RG, I came across this contact while doing a Google for the item. Apparently they service this item that unfortunately is no longer made as you say. I'd give them a call, they may steer you towards one. I just had a thought, is it serviceable locally? Can you obtain parts for repair as they seem to be rare? Do you need to ship it to Wisconsin for service? Actually that's something to consider for any item today. Good Luck Greg, I'd give him a call. Mertin Marine 1087 Cozylane Oshgosh WI 54901 920-231-2916 [email protected]

I would pass without batting an eyelash. Locally there was a recent story in the paper of a young lady buying her first car for going back an forth to school as is, and used Interact online through the same banking institution as the guy selling a car. It was a total scam, they had to tow it home, and of course he left the keys and paperwork with someone else. The bank said Interact was the same as a cheque and could do nothing, the transaction was totally legal. I'm going to presume this is an as is sale. There is a new online scam every minute of the day. I really don't like buying anything as is especially if I can't touch or feel it first. There are many legal ways to get burnt today. As far as trust goes, unfortunately it can't be had for the majority of time. I wouldn't do it. There has to be another one out there for you. What good reason is there not to use PayPal????????? None. Have him send you the item and then you send him the money, same situation, no? "Experience is a lifetime of mistakes, wisdom is knowing not to make them again" OldIronmaker 2001

I really like the panoramic pic, nice job. That sure is a little piece of heaven you snagged there. It's funny 4X4 say's your lucky, well he's right, but it always seems the harder you work for something the luckier you get. As for the fish? I hate ya, nice haul. 2C, it was only 24C here on the sunny north shore of Erie yesterday afternoon. I,d love to make you a trade for a few weeks one summer!

It amazes me the lengths that someone would go to in order to get a few ounces of the sacramental herb for personal use. Some of you might be able to shed light on what I've been told by different members of our judicial system, both law enforcement as well as an Assistant Crown Attorney. If there is merit to this please chime in. I have been told that a citizen of Ontario is allowed to grow no more than 5 weed plants for personal use at any given time. They can not leave the property, can not be sold and must be only consumed indoors. A neighbour in her late 60,s grows 5 in her garden every spring. Another lookie loo neighbour called it into the local OPP. They came out and told her basically good luck and basically what I wrote above. This is not the US, no one is going to jail growing a few pot plants in their garden and keeping it at home, I wouldn't save it from year to year as it would be a bit tricky to explain why there is 10 pounds of the stuff in the fridge. I don't grow any for a few reasons. I only over eat and then fall asleep when I smoke it. My aches and pains pound harder after I smoked it and I'm too lazy. My wife partakes in the sacramental herb and she can do it next door.

I can't believe it's still there! Does Mike still own it?

MJL, great response. I was told years ago by a biologist that fish do not see the colour spectrum as we do. More of a contrast image as MJL notes. They use the lateral line to feel with, their hands so to speak. That crazy lure that no self respecting fish would eat is something in their environment that shouldn't be there. They can't swat it away with their pectoral fins, so they use the mouth. I believe many a fish are hooked this way. Think spawning bass on a bed, I have seen smallies head butt lures as well as other fish, they aren't feeding they are protecting. Years ago I saw my father in law tie an empty can onto a line and a male bass on a bed hit it and hit it hard time after time. It may have been a beer can, and the bass was Canadian so that's instincts. (I had to say that before someone else did). So in my opinion it isn't the colour as much as flash, contrast and instincts.

I actually saw you guys banging them one after another from shore with my binocks. I can attest to the action. Good going.

As an individual that struggles to get paint to canvas I must really disagree as to the quality of the painting. Some have refereed to it as pretty slick, pretty cool, pretty neat, really neat, life like, etc. etc. I would say the recreation of the moment captured in the photograph could only be described as a both brilliant an successful journey that the artist made. She should be very proud of her work and I must say it does remind me of a world renowned artist from Burlington Ontario. He is now known for his work of natural settings of wildlife. In his earlier works his lifelike realism took us into the world of sports. One being his portrait of a young Ken Dryden. He is Robert Bateman. This artist work is worthy of an early Bateman. Hold onto it my friend like it is a bar of gold.

Wow, on a Rappala ice jig if my eyes serve me well.

Very nice floats, very nice, are any for sale? They would make great gifts for the fisherman that has everything. Could I order personalized ones? Am I missing something? Not being the most technical fisherman in the world, or up on all the latest super materials I have to ask. What would the advantage of using floating flyline, Dacron etc. as backing vs some old heavier mono that's been laying around? There was reference to absorbing water so why not just old mono or whatever you have that has seen better days. All we are trying to accomplish is to reduce reel capacity to use less main line and reduce bite down on braid isn't it? Or has line capacity have nothing to do with it? A better question maybe is why do we use backing? I am beyond the red and white bobbers though. Here is where I add LOL. Rich no question is a stupid question. Johnny D

You sure you want to join? I wouldn't join a club that would have me as a member. I snuck in.

Thanks Wiser good to know.

Bang on comment. Line clarity is key for us here on Erie as well. As the fish are coming from below, contrast from below a bait is greater and then the fish has a better chance of seeing the line I believe.

It's 173 murders divided by 30 million citizens that's .0000057% of the population killed by people using guns in Canada It's 9146 murders divided by 300 million people that works out to .0003 % of US citizens killed by people using guns in the USA. As if it really matters here.

The lower the moisture content of the wood of course the greater ration of carbon to H2O. Dry or not the tar in softwoods is still in the wood, to a lesser degree when bone dry but still there., Just smell it. It is absolutely fine to use your softwoods as kindling. I would not burn it exclusively as my main carbon source or even at 2 to 3 ratio. It will certainly add to the tar buildup in the stack. But as a starter sure go ahead. It simply doesn't give off enough heat to be worth while. Another problem you might find is that the bosh in the lower stack and thus the upper stack or chimney may not come up to temperature sufficiently enough to sustain a good initial draught or sustain a draught causing blowback of smoke, if that happens well then you have a pile of furniture stock. All wood stoves and fireplace inserts are designed slightly differently where it won't make a difference on one but will on another. I would give it more than a year to dry for certain. There are some guys out here that don't burn a thing including hardwood unless seasoned 2 years. One good smack with an axe and it splits if seasoned 2 years, if your splitting by hand it makes easy work of it the longer seasoned. But to answer the question I would use it as a starter only, and then only if bone dry. Bigugli hit the mail on the head, know your wood. Some Poplar disguises itself as ash, I know guys out here that think they are burning Ash and it's really garbage Poplar. Get a good book describing the trees we have here in Ontario and good pictures to help identify each type in each species. Chapters is a good place to look. If I find my favorite I'll post it here when I do.

My numbers are wrong 173 of 30 million is less per population than 10000 per 300 million. I stand corrected. Ohio, I don't agree with the numbers quoted in that internet link. Then of course if it's on the internet it must be true. Let us not let this debate get in the way of praying and if you don't pray thinking about the victims and survivors of this terrible crime by a few spineless individuals. It seems we are having this debate far too many times, it seems to be with regularity now. Pierce Morgan doesn't finish with one mass murder before another is being reported. I was a kid in the early 60's when it seemed someone was being assassinated every year, this gives me the exact feeling of despair and déjà vu.

The Lower Niagara River and Perch have never been used in the same sentence I have ever heard. Fished there steady for a few years as my wife's family is from NOTL. I would be interested to know if it is a place to find good numbers of perch. Every other Ontario game fish that's for sure, but perch?

Numbers of gun related murders in the US vs. Canada are approximately 10 to 1, numbers of citizens also 10 to 1. So we aren't doing as well as most would think are we? If I remember correctly Michael Moorers documentary about the Columbine killings reported more guns are owned by Canadians by household than any other country in the world. This issue of gun ownership will not be settled by those sitting in The House of Commons, The Senate or House of Representatives, it won't be settled in my lifetime or yours. Do what you think best for your family and yourselves. Let the NRA, IRA, PTA or whomever scream until they turn blue in the face and they pass out and leave me and my political, religious and moral beliefs mine and mine alone.

Burleigh Falls and Lovesick lake sure brings back memories from 40 years ago. I'd sleep in the back of my 70' Thunderbird, which was tricky because if anyone is old enough to remember it had an oval back seat. After I bought a Vette I had to up a fiver for a campsite. The $5.00 they wanted at Lovesick Lake camp for a site cut into our drinking money so in our cars we slept. Those were the days kids drove sports cars not like now where almost everyone with convertibles have grey hair and a larger waistline. Went over the Falls more than once, by accident. It's only about 20 feet but it still hurt, and left a mark And yes that is one nice smallie and she is as dark as a bronze back can get. Larger than any caught 40 years ago if it was on Lovesick you got her.

You could launch at Forans in Grimsby. Check out their website. As for how the wind will be? You really never know this time of year until you get out there, and then it can change before you get out of the channel. 50 Point Conservation Park Marina is another great choice. Both are in central and prime spots with good large launches. Price? Not sure.

Big Cliff, That absolutely is horrid. We were just talking about this while fishing for Salmon Monday on Lake Ontario in Hamilton where I grew up. And pretty well worked my entire life.This is the first year I put a lock on my garage and sheds. We are in a cottage community where break ins during the winter were common, mostly kids looking for some booze and somewhere to party. This year there have been some serious thefts. Now that they have changed zoning to full residential many of us downsizing retirees are out here full time and this petty stuff stopped but there is more to score for the pros. Especially as most head south for the winter. There was one arrest and it was a organized crew from Toronto that is a 3 hour drive. These weren't crack heads looking to score a hit, these were serious thieves with a tractor trailer, stolen of course. They are trying to link them to some serious thefts of ATV's, sleds, boat motors, a few pieces of heavy equipment and others. A small write up in a weekly paper and that's it. We got this info from a local OPP off the record. It's about time I took a photo of all my tackle which I'm told is covered under my home insurance. But that's nothing looking at the big picture. Let them take it, they will if they want lock or no lock. Not worth taking a 12 gauge over a few thousand bucks. A few years back there was a home invasion close by and the elderly homeowner took a 12 gauge to the shoulder, an inch to the right and he's dead. Times are a changing that's for sure. As I said Monday I'll take the 7 to 10 for 2nd degree murder and unlawful storage etc. etc. they can take everything I own but if they threaten to hurt one hair on anyone in my families head, in the process I am certainly able to pull a trigger as well to keep my family safe. But that's difficult when the weapon is locked away and the ammunition is locked away elsewhere. What are we to do to protect our families? As for the surveillance system that's a great idea. When I had the business in Niagara people would dump all their trash behind the warehouse. I had a huge sign professionally made simply saying area is under 24 hour surveillance and mounted a few of those dummy cameras. It worked no more dumping from day 1. As for the technical aspect of a system they are basically do it yourself today. Budget like anything else will determine how effective it is. You can now check your place by iPhone when someone is at your property anywhere you put a motion detector in. There is some pretty amazing stuff out there today for pennies it was 10 years ago. You have me thinking time for more than a good lock. If I can spend a few thousand every few years upgrading electronics and rigging by boat, how in heavens sakes can I not invest in protecting my property and most importantly my family? Man I'm getting upset over this.

Rich, That's a tad deep for me this time of the morning when 60 year olds should be sleeping. Now where is that portal phone I need to get back to the "Mothership"?

Good to know HD. Will spread the word down my way. That must be worth a few freebies! Mr. Borger please another great trip report please, stay safe and good fishing. Those pike are about to be hammered by the Hammer from the Hammer.

Chris, Stuff like this sure drives me nuts as well. Watching 10" Smallmouth and Largemouth going into a cooler, same goes for year old Walleye and hammerhandle Northerns. It sure isn't illegal but should be. All the legislators in the world can't make a law banning stupidity. I hear about the fist fights on the piers along Lake Ontario this time of year. It seems fishing for some is simply a cheap way to feed a family and in these economic times, can you blame a guy for feeding his kids, I can't. Times are tough, wars have been waged across the annals of history over fishing rights. I don't believe it was that long ago a Canadian Coast Guard vessel or one of our Navy ships had to put one across the bow of a Spanish fishing vessel somewhere on the east coast. This is becoming nuts as someone said the population is growing far too quickly in southern Ontario and I must add the poverty rate is soaring. And I also agree as someone here said they will just close all the Ontario tributaries to everyone and designate them sanctuaries so as to not have to police them. It's just sad we have to talk about something like but this is the age of more, more and I'll have some more, smart phones, cars, trucks, SUV's, bigger houses, bigger TV's, bigger toys, bigger breasts. If I was younger and could see into the future I would have found a spot where no one could find me and my lady and lived off the land, after I bought shares in Microsoft! As Kim Mitchell said " lets go for a soda where nobody hurts and nobody dies". I don't think that place exists anywhere as the greyer I get the more cynical I become. In this great age of instant communication, twitting, teetering, texting, twatting or whatever they call it nobody talks to one another, it's too gd hard.