Old Ironmaker

Is that something you wipe your shoes on? Seriously who is he?

Why is Ottawa so despised by many and loved by few? It's only 1 of the few Canadian teams.

Were in Heavens name is $4000.00 worth of engine. That would be a very expensive lawnmower or snow blower. 4 grand!!!!!???? You get a good used snow machine or ATV for 4 grand just to use for icefishing.

Yep, it could be the looser. When it comes to electronics "operator error" was generally what I wrote down in my lost time reports, then I came up with "Faulty field device." I had many people I could blame it on back then, not anymore. I'm the guy that needs an electrician to change batteries in my flash lights. I had no less than 6 of 6 outlets upstairs that didn't worked since the day I wired them. One day they miraculously came to life, the day Ticha asked a friend when I was at work one day to do them right. I buy those crank lights now.

Good to get info before you book, no? But from what tomcat says you picked a good one. When are you guys going?

"Cheap fishing lodge" is an oxymoron. I also recommend Maskinonje. Check out Bear Creek Cottages on Nipissing. Neither is "cheap", Motel 6 is cheap compared to the Marriot. 25 bucks a night for 4 guys sharing 2 beds. I've stayed at cheap fishing camps. believe me. You got the water from the pot on the floor that caught rain leaking through the roof, 100 bucks a week including a tinny, Cedar Grove Cottages Westmeath On. on the Ottawa, 1980's. Some of the best Walleye fishing I have ever experienced. We rented a room in Pembroke every few days to have a hot shower and dry bed. Imagine renting a place while you are renting a place. It might be twice that today. Then there is Bud's Fishing Lodge on Muskellunge Lake, Teresa NY, 5 bucks per person per night. No more than 6 to a cabin. No boat included though but a free keg of beer every 4 days in the Pool Room/machine shed. No stove to cook on, Charcoal BBQ only or on woodstove. Again the 80's. Most 5 star places I will never remember, those minus 1 star places I will never forget, and we had a blast. You get what you pay for it is as simple as that but it's not where you stay it's with whom that you stay.

On Shloim's thread about ice transportation I remembered back in the early 80's we were ice fishing off shore in Westmeath on the Ottawa and believe it or not we pass a guy sitting over a hole and he has a Horse with him. A Horse, the size of a Moose without the horns, antlers, yep antlers, no horns on a Moose. I didn't stop to ask him if he rode the horse out or just led it. We thought about asking but didn't want to spook it with the machine. Plus I didn't think it such a good idea to share the ice with about 1000 pounds of flesh on it. I have a grainy 35MM pic of it somewhere deep in a box of other grainy old pictures. It looks like a dark spot on the foto, no zoom. That is one of the strangest things I have ever seen and I've seen some crazy stuff over the years. I would have been worried about the horse slipping on clear ice and breaking a leg, for sure, this guy wasn't I guess. Sitting by the pool guys in 77F weather waiting for the 2 Sisters that haven't seen one another much since April to get ready for dinner. I told them dinner was for 6 so we should be there by 7:30. Man I need more Sunscreen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm rubbing it in, how's it feel? I'll be back to reality sooner than I thought. I see it's +6 home and this weekend -15 when we land, say it ain't so. Again, can't get pics from phone to PC. It's my phone for sure.

The first thing I saw. OK if you are travelling on flat ice Shloim, come to a drift or a mogul higher than the clearance and you are going to stop and drill a hole right there. I wouldn't invest in one. I don't know the cost but subtract that from a snow machine or an ATV. The strangest ice fishing transportation I have ever seen and bet I will ever see was a guy with a horse on The Ottawa River. I don't know if he rode on it over the ice or just led it. I didn't talk to him. I didn't think standing next to 1/2 ton of beast on 8" of ice was a great idea.

Yes Akri, you are right. Many times the life of the survivor is negatively changed forever and he or she will need therapy for years to come, most refuse it and suffer alone. I think we have seen it first hand over the years and we all have a story. It isn't uncommon for the survivor to take their own lives, often for something called survivor guilt.

We are in Boynton Beach a suburb of West Palm today. I went to a local Marina/Bait shop in West Palm yesterday and all the talk was about this tragic death. Even though there a millions of sport fishermen here it is a very tight knit community, everyone knows everyone. Our condolences to the friends and family of Nik Kayler, and I can tell you from the folks I have met here he had many friends. A Vet with a young family. Apparently it was a rouge wave that ejected Nik out of the boat at high speed. It has been close for me a few times out here on Erie. Twice I hit a wave wrong and my passenger ended up at the back of the boat, both times the removable seat came out of its base and if it was a I/O they would be in the water for certain. It can happen and happen easily. Thinking about it now once actually there wasn't bad water, I ran across a wake and the 140 pound kid went flying. I used to remove that seat to keep the base clean and easily removable. After the second time I have left it right where it is, same as my helm seat. Perhaps the Port seat should be fixed permanently like some helm seats. I would like a grab bar installed on the port dash somehow. Something to think about. A fund raiser has been set up with a goal of raising 15K and so far $38,000.00 has been raised. I put 25 bucks in a jar there. I challenge us members of OFC to donate whatever you can, 5 bucks from 100 people, heck a tooney adds up.. Had I not met some of his pals and a donation was easy to do I may not have bothered to go on line etc. so I understand. It could have been any of us here.

Fantastic, I've heard of Denis, he's the Man on the Niagara. Thanks for the pics Dave, when I think it's too hot and humid down here I will open this page.

Up early this AM. Brian you can't score 3 points and expect to win a game, even a Hockey or Baseball game. If your D can hold a playoff NFL team to 9 points one would expect you came out with a win and move on in the tournament. Rookie Head Coach, rookie GM, 22 players on the 53 man roster that never wore a Bills uniform before. And you break a 17 year playoff drought. The longest of any of the 4 North American pro leagues and you finish above .500! A stellar year for a Da Bills. Don't blame me for being a Bills fan, Mom is from North Tonawanda so I'm a Bills fan by DNA.

I know zippo about diesels other than they burn black smoke when on fire. I do know that if you put a bow tie on the front of that 150 it sure looks like my Silverado. Imitation is the best compliment.

Is having too many hammer handles a bad thing? I would think those little Pike may become big Pike someday. Is there a difference between hammer handles and a standard Northern? No, Pike aren't good for Bass guys but for diehard Pike guys Bass are bait fish.

Hello all. Checking in. Albert, Mom, Dad and I had co ownership in a condo in south Fla. (Charlotte Harbor) from 87 until 2005. When Mom and Dad's health insurance got ridiculous we sold. I could have bought it out then but we wouldn't be using it as often as those members of the Family and their kids and friends that didn't own it if you get my drift. The best was when my 22 year old niece told us my wife and I couldn't use our place because her boyfriend another 2 couples and she would be down the same 2 weeks, of course we relented as to not start a war. I have 52 weeks vacation my wife gets 5, they get 2. The value went down about 40% a few years latter so we made the right decision in the long run to sell pre recession plus I no longer needed permission to go to our condo. 13 years latter the value hasn't rebounded to 05' prices for the same condo there. 15 minute walk to the fishing pier which was great plus the bait shop is on the way. Who cares about a walking score for Bars and Bistro's, a bait shop close by is priceless. Plus what you don't use as bait can go on the BBQ. Went to a pier with our host this AM and got into some nice Sea Trout, largest about 3 lbs. Man those 2 front teeth will do a number on a hand. For those that have never seen one picture a nice sized trout with 2 upper teeth 3/4" long. They are dotted with circles like a Speckled and each circle has a perfect cross in it. My thrill of the day was a 23" Snook just before we left for lunch. They are a feisty fish. Medium spinning tackle with 12 pound braid and a flouro leader. I got the Snook on the tried and true black and chrome F-10 Rappala. Those things work all over the world. We were checked by 2 different crews of Fish and Game. All they wanted to do is talk about Musky once we showed our permits. Pics need to be downsized. It is a bit strange being questioned by a Game Warden with a 9MM Glock strapped to them and a bullet proof vest. 77F this afternoon. Went in deep enough to wet my Plums this afternoon.

I know, here I am complaining about 70 and I read a report from Timmins or some other God awful place is -40C. No more moaning from me until I get home. let me know when it hits 15C.

And I'm complaining about 21C here in Florida? I apologize.

Went to Key West this AM for brunch. The folks here got hammered by the Hurricanes. Damage everywhere, some places no longer exist, it is tough just to look at I can't imagine loosing everything. Their attitude down here is "I know what I signed up for." Damages to properties is a known, if you have never been effected you either haven't been here long enough or you haven't been here long enough. We haven't gone out on any charters, yet, there is a cold front (high of 70F today) and nothing much is hitting and many of the regular charters have sustained damages to either their boats or the marinas where they are slipped so they have suspended operations. Plus my back is still wonky and don't want to end up laying in bed for a week. We are going to head up to 41 and across Alligator Alley tomorrow morning to friends in Naples for a week or so. A side note, a B&B on Duval Street in Key West is going for up to 500 bucks a night, or more!!! It has changed so much here since I first came in 1976, I remember exactly because it was the US Bi-Centennial year. Walmart and Wallgreen's have invaded, there was a time you thought you were on one of the islands, now you know you are in the good old North America. Plus it seems to be a place for the Rich and Famous not the laid back citizens of the Conch Republic. My little raw oyster bar, was 25 cents each a few years back, off Duvall St. is now an Art Gallery selling stuff from China. Sad to see really, it will be my last time coming to Key West at least. edit: I did wet a few lines in a canal at the end of the road from the camp. A few bite offs and some small Jack's. A big bag of cut bait is still 5 bucks. Just a casting float, some split shot on a Flouro leader and some dead bait on a Circle Hook. You can catch small fish all day and Tich doesn't mind fishing like that. Once and a while you will get lucky and not get a bite off and land a nice Ray or Sea Trout.

You seem to be a pretty good fisherman, singing and dancing? Not so much. Good luck on your fishing channel.

Read in the paper this morning the FLW tourney has been cancelled. The second fisherman has yet to be found and the survivor is still in serious condition because of hypothermia. The Coast Guard has suspended their rescue efforts and the local PD continues the search. Both were seasoned tourney guys with over 60 tournaments each.

You need to weigh the pro's and con's and go from there. We bought on Erie 22 years ago. Mostly because of close location where we lived, we could commute to work. I knew there were fish in this lake but,,,,,,,,,, had I known you can sit on the deck and watch the Smallies, Carp and Gar spawn white having a brown Pop in the spring I might have paid more. Good luck for where ever you decide to hang your hats. I see a boat in your future. It is very frustrating knowing there are fish to be caught but no way to get to them.

I always thought all Rangers were "Bass Boats". They are not all the same. Dan Columby a member here and a Musky charter guide out of Nippising took me out in his 20' Stratus 3 years back. The thing is deeper than my StarCraft and much more stable. The 200 to 300 HP pushing these things is the issue in my opinion. I think we have all seen the adds where a Ranger is flying through the air skipping of the tops of whitecaps and guys thing they can do the same. Speed kills as it is said. A PFD won't do much if you hit your head when flying out of a boat and one is rendered unconscious face down in the water. Not all PFD's will get you face up when in the water when you are out cold. Not many do. I think we have all kissed the ground after getting to shore safe and sound, sometimes more than once. Experience is a lifetime of mistakes, wisdom is not repeating them. As far as the root cause we will need to wait until all the facts are in. Tragic and sobering.

Found my password for OFC but don't like using sis in laws PC. Call me what you wish, I'm not freezing my corleones off. From Tallahassee to West Palm beach where we are right now is like comparing Sault St. Marie weather to Niagara Falls, a big difference between northern FLA and southern FLA. No it isn't T Shirt weather, not yet, historically winters are getting colder here in FLA. Right now it's 60F and going into the mid 70's the beginning of the week. We disinvited ourselves from the New Years party at Uncle Donalds. No fishing so far, I blew my back out lifting the tongue of a boat trailer out a few days before we left. I dare not get pounded in a boat for a bit. I think I'm 33 not 63, even 53, big difference, like the opposite of 10 years and 20 years old. . Off to a camp on Little Deer Key Sunday. When I get a rod in my hands I'll report back, I can only lift a Rolling Rock so far. In the meantime put an all nighter on the fire and stay warm all.

Saw that on the news this morning. He had a great and long life, 93 Wowza. His grand son gave an interview that was on CHCH. If it is on their site I highly recommend it. Watching old grainy film it is so strange to see a goalie not wearing a mask. Just as strange as when they all first starting wearing helmets. Jacques Plante was 1st I think to wear a mask, or was it Gump Worsley? Watching Bower play seems like a lifetime ago. We were all Leaf fans when they won those 3 Holy Grails in the 60's. Don Awrey's brother and nephew George who was our age lived across the street from us in Hamilton. Don Awrey watched us one afternoon play on the 10X20 foot backyard rink with old Sears magazines stuffed down our leggings. He suggested I stick to Football. I wonder what that first Jacques Plante mask would go for? He would draw a line and stiches on it every time a puck hit it. Rest In Peace Mr. Bower. You gave us some thrills watching and learned from you how to be a gentleman.

I don't follow the NHL any longer, that doesn't mean I don't like Hockey. I don't remember the exact year Copps Coliseum opened in the 80's, 86, 87 or 88 maybe, but I do know the first major event. Hamilton held the World Juniors. We took in at least 8 games including the final. I lived 3 blocks away. The Hammer was a rockin'. If I'm not mistaken Canada won. Those guys are all retired old men now. What I do remember best was Shane Conlon. He terrorized the Europeans and if I remember right Japan had a team in the tourney. There was a short little Japanese ref in the games and he could hardly skate. We razzed the Bejeezus out of the poor guy. The joke was I could skate better and I couldn't skate for more than 5 minutes. That Conlon kid beat up anyone that dared skate on his ice and went after that Japanese ref when he gave him a game misconduct. A fight in international Hockey just didn't happen much back then unless between Canada and the USA. If the games weren't in Canada he would have been tossed from every game including that time when he chased this poor 5 foot nothing Japanese ref down the ice, he literally chased him. He should have been tossed for the entire tourney. Conlon came into a few bars downtown acting like Shane Conlon. He was lucky to get away virtually unharmed because he had to play. Good luck to Canada. Let's have a good clean tourney boys. Can't wait for the Canada/USA match up. Maybe not so clean for that one.