DanD

Not down an ice hole; but I chuckle every time I think of this. Out in the boat with a buddy and his son; fishing was slow and this 8 year old was getting bored. After a little while I said that we should maybe head in; buddy agrees and tells his son to pack up. Well the little guy got so excited about going in; his idea of packing up, was to pitch his dad's baitcast rod and reel into the lake. LOL When we turned to see what the splash was; there's the little guy sitting in his seat all set to go, with that what's wrong look on his face. Dan.

Just to change up that recipe a bit. Leave the fillets whole, quarter a dill pickle lengthwise. Lay the filet out flat, place a few strands of onion on the fillet; then place the pickle across the fillet and roll the fillet around the pickle; secure with a toothpick. the dill in the pickle adds a nice flavor to the fish. Not my picture; borrowed it from the net. Dan.

A couple of things happened to us over the years; nothing major but they could have been. A buddy and me when out of Port Colborne, launching from Sugarloaf. Everything was fine with the trailer on the way there; no unusual noises or clunks. When we go to leave, every time we would brake or pull away from a stop, I heard this clunk? Get out to check things and couldn't see anything wrong? Had my buddy try and pull ahead a bit and then hit the brakes. Holy crap the drawbar pin is missing and the only thing stopping it from coming right out is the safety chains. Like I said everything was fine on the way there; we suspect that someone needed a pin and scooped ours? There's a locking pin on there now. The next thing happened a couple of weeks ago coming back from St. Williams ice fishing. 16' enclosed tandem axle trailer with the snowmobile, fish hut and all my gear in; so it's not a heavy load. It was dark out, going down the Otterville road heading to hwy 19 and then the 401, the trailer starts shaking real bad; thought I had a flat? There's no shoulders on the side of this country road, so I had to drive a bit before I found a safe place to pull over. Before I got to a place the vibration stopped as quickly as it started? I get out to check and the left front wheel of the trailer is gone and nowhere to be found? All 5 of the wheel studs were broken off flush with the brake drum? Why it happened is a mystery; I just serviced the brakes and I used a torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts to 80 Lbs? I was lucky it happened where it did; but what if this happened 20 minutes later, doing 100kmp on the 401? I was able to get back to london on the 3 wheels; the next day all 20 of the wheel studs and nut were changed out on this old trailer. Dan.

You can call it whatever you like; I built the thing and its a BBQ too me. LOL I also made a grate for it out of expanded metal to set on, when not using the rotisserie. Like you said you can cook a pile of steak, burgers and dogs on it at one time; to feed large groups. Dan.

Here's a few pic's of one of my BBQs. She isn't pretty but she's hooked a whole lot of meat for us over the years. The pork in these pictures went on the spit at 180lbs (dressed weight) and took approx 16 hours to cook; using cherry wood coals made in a burn barrel beside the BBQ. No wonder I don't have much time to fish; I did 2 pig roast last year and I think there's plans for 3 this summer. Dan.

No you're not wrong; that's the pier right at the tourist market's water side entrance. I've been to the island twice now and if you ever get a chance to go to St. Lucia, take it and run. Of all the different islands that I've been to, this one has to be the most friendliest one of all. People on the street that know there's nothing in it for them, will stop, talk and give directions. We've even had a cabby, walk us 3 blocks to show us where the store was that we were looking for. Hopefully no one thinks this is spam; but here's a scan of Garfield's (AKA Junior) business card. I can personally guarantee that you will feel it was good money spent going out with junior. Dan.

No the yellow jacket is now an international jacket for the board. Junior said he's going to wear it and tell everyone it's from his Canadian friends. Dan.

Thanks Art that's the fish for sure .

Just back from St. Lucia and got out a few mornings fishing. Shore fishing at the resort, using raw squid (thanks to the Asian Restaurant and the busboy) and a single 2/0 hook (all I had), riged up in a drop shot fashion. Lots of hits but couldn't get a hook set; I,m guessing hooks were to large? One of the resorts maintenance workers, liked the pencil style sinker ("good for not getting snagged in the rocks" Yup) but agreed that I should be using a #3 or 4 hook. It was still fun feeding the fish from a 100 yards away? LOL Whatever the fish were; they'd hit and start pulling line hard; that's until the squid would rip away from the hook anyway. On the Friday I chartered a boat for a 1/2 day, from a guy (Junior) that I met in Castries last year. He took us out maybe 2-3 miles off shore and started looking for a floating weed bed. Once he found a good sized one; we got set up for trolling. I don't know the name of the bait fish we were using and of course I didn't get any pictures while on board; but the fish (dead) looked like an 8" long silver sardine with about a 4" long black pencil lead sized snout? It didn't take long before we got a few strikes and they were like bam and then gone; reel in and the 1 1/2" diameter bait was cut in half, like you took a knife to it. Junior had one look at the bait and said get ready for some baracuda; because we found them. He re-rigged the bait, moving the 6/0 hook 3/4 the way to the back of the fish. Sent the line back out and with-in 5 minutes I was fighting a fish. What a rush watching a barracuda come 3 or more feet out of the water and fighting so hard for what looked like maybe a 30 inch fish; I thought this thing is huge, no it just fought like a big fish.. We hooked into another 5 or 6 but only landed 3 for our efforts. What a great morning, other than forgetting the camera on shore with our driver from the resort; but here are a few pics I did get when we got back in. I brought Junior a gift from here and I think a lot of us here on the site will recognize it. LOL Dan. Oh Yea Junior cleaned the fish and cut them into steaks; I didn't want them, so he goes off looking for someone and came back with an elderly lady. He packed the steaks into a plastic bag and gave them to her. From where I was standing all I could hear was the lady saying; they were going to eat good tonight. LOL

No Worries Cliff. If need be I have a tig welder here at the shop and my son can do a nice job of welding aluminum; me I end up with a puddle on the floor that doesn't look anything like what I started with, LOL Wait till Wayne see this; he'll be telling us to rivet it; like they do on airplanes. LOL Dan.

Things have changed all over; not just Simcoe. The Normandale creek for example; it empties into Long Point Bay. When I was a kid back in the 60's, we go there smelt fishing. When the smelt came in you couldn't see the bottom of this 6 foot wide creek; they were so thick in there. A 4 foot square dip net would bring in a 5 gallon pail full every time. Now I don't think you'd be able to find a single one in that creek, for some reason they changed their spawning habits; because they're still in the lake? Dan.

Cliff You run a small engine repair business, don't you? If so you could get a service plate to hang on any off road vehicle and you'd be covered. I have one here at the shop and until I got my 50 Chevy completed, I drove all over the place with that plate. It's meant to allow people in the repair of an unplated vehicle to legally drive where plates are required; supposedly for the purpose of road testing and I've been on some pretty long road tests. LOL. As for insurance the plate is insured and it covers whatever vehicle you hand it on. Dan. I found this on e-law; it's in regards to service plates and off road vehicles. 10. (1) Dealer and Service permits and number plates may be issued to manufacturers of or dealers in off-road vehicles or to persons engaged in the business of repairing, customizing, modifying or transporting off-road vehicles. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 863, s. 10 (1). (2) A Dealer and Service number plate may be used only, (a) on a vehicle in the possession of the person to whom the corresponding permit was issued; and (for purposes related to the sale, repair, customization or modification of the vehicle on which it is used or, in the case of a person engaged in the business of transporting vehicles, for purposes of transporting the vehicles. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 863, s. 10 (2). (3) The Dealer and Service number plate for an off-road vehicle, (a) with three or less wheels, shall be securely mounted in a conspicuous position on the front of the vehicle; or ( with more than three wheels, shall be securely mounted in a conspicuous position on the rear of the vehicle. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 863, s. 10 (3).

Sorry I didn't mean that you wouldn't ask first; it's just some people think these skids are junk, going to the landfill. Some skids have deposits on them that the supplier that sent whatever product on these skids wants them back. My post was meant as a heads up; so you or anyone else didn't get in trouble for such a small thing. Dan.

Good point. I guess it would be considered a motorized vehicle, which would need offroad plates and insurance to be legal out on the ice? Dan.

If you're thinking of picking up pallets from any of the places mentioned; make sure you get permission to take them. The one store I share the building with, has had a number of people charged with theft and trespassing, while they were trying to take pallets and other items; that the store owner keeps outside behind the building. The private security company that patrols our area usually catches them midnight shopping. Dan.

Sous Chef is the the helper that if anything goes wrong; it's the sous chefs fault. LOL But I'll take you under my close supervision and we'll make a great team. As for work' you are you're own boss; call in a sick day. It's only money and we all know anyone self employed are rich.. LOL Dan

Not sure but I'd give it one hell of a try! LOL Nice to hear from you Brian. As for the spit I'm trying to arrange being around for the "fish a thon" and offer it and my services to cook a pork for them and the great cause they're there for. I'll need a sous chef are you in???? Dan.

I know what you mean by moose meat being dry; if you cook it like you would a beef or pork roast. The next time you get a chance try prepping the roast like this; it wont be dry and it mellows the wild taste. Make up some melted butter with garlic powder mixed in. Inject that butter mixture into the roast evenly throughout the meat. Spice the outside of the roast with all your favorites. The next part you'll need your butcher to save you a some beef fat caps that he has trimmed from roasts. Wrap & tie this fat onto the moose roast; then roast as you would normally, until done to your liking. I promise you it won't be dry and it'll have a nice garlic taste and the meat will melt in your mouth. My Mom use too do moose and horse meat that way and it always came out great. Yes I said horse meat; put a cut of each beside each other and you will not see the difference. As for taste the moose is a bit stronger; but the texture of the meat is the same. Dan.

My Dad used a pocket fisherman for ice fishing. It laid on the floor, beside the hole in the fish hut and he hand bombed the line. LOL Dan.

Like you said, everyone of the manufacturers have issues with their vehicles; some big, some with annoying repeat visits to the dealer for upgrades or reprogramming. What I've been telling my customers is, road test as many as you can; once you've narrowed it down to a couple of maybes; research the crap out of them. If you've found issues with the vehicle you've researched, go talk to the service manager of that vehicle's dealership and ask if that issue has been resolved. Don't ask the salesperson; they're there to tell you what you want to hear. Warranties and what they cover, would be the first thing I'd check into; today's vehicles are rolling computers and we all know about the strange things computers can do without warning. Maybe think of a 3 or 5 year (Dependent on warranty length) lease; then flip it back for another new vehicle at the end of the lease period? Yes you'll pay a bit more but you'll never be paying for repairs; like you would owning, once out of warranty. Dan.

Here's a pretty good read on HDIM cables. http://www.tested.com/tech/3329-the-difference-between-cheap-and-expensive-hdmi-cables/ The way I read it, it doesn't make much difference between the expensive and cheap cables; unless you have to make a very long run with a cable. Dan

People with the flashing red give way to the amber. Dan

It use to be OK to ride in the back; but I believe now every person riding in/on a vehicle must have a secured seat & seat belt? Dan.

Yea I think the reg says something like, a vehicle less then 20 feet long and less then 8 feet wide; only require those two lights on the rear. The driver's side window must be able to open, to perform hand signals. There's nothing about that window having to go back up. Window doesn't go down, vehicle fails inspection; throw a hammer through window, vehicle now passes. LOL I was pulled over in my 50 Chevy by a city cop, for making an improper lane change. I was in the left lane and needed to be in the right; I made the hand signal and moved into the right lane. The cop was already in the right lane a couple cars back; because he didn't see a turn signal light, he pulled me over. At first he didn't believe me that the car never had signal lights when the car was built. After having a look inside the car and saw no sign of a signal light switch; he admitted that if I did make a hand signal, he wouldn't have been able to see it and let me go. The next day I installed a universal switch and rewired the car to accommodate signals. No more people waving at me while I was making a turn; not to many now what hand signals are anymore. Dan.

I know I've already said this; but the people that can't or won't afford two sets of tires, will buy snows/winters and drive them year round. So the tire can be all but worn out; but are still legal and people will run them until they won't hold air anymore. So much for legislation, making people put snow tires on; if people are allowed to do that. A yearly safety would make more sense to me; because the people that are willing to drive on worn out ties; are likely not much into maintenance and only have their vehicle checked, if there's a large enough issue stopping them from driving the car at all. I've always wondered how many of the 401 crossover crashes that we use to hear about (before the wall went up); wasn't because a tie rod end or some other steering or brake item had failed and they couldn't steer or brake the car? Those accidents were usually so bad that there was no way of telling if it was a mechanical failure that caused it. Dan.