lew

And it lived to fight another day too http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/foru...=48&start=1

Mark, if the extra weight of a 4 stroke is a concern to you, I wouldn't worry about it too much. My 90 HP 4 stroke Merc is 100 pounds heavier than the 2 stroke 90 HP Johnson I got rid of, but everything else made up for it. I only lost 1 MPH, which is absolutely nothing to worry about, but the savings on gasoline was enormous, plus the quietness, lack of smoke from the exhaust and the fact that I can troll ALL day long without fouling a plug made the decision very easy. Not trying to start a 2 stroke versus 4 stroke war here, just showing you another side of the coin. You've ridden in my boat, so you know how nice the 4 stroke is. There's good and bad with both types of motors, but I'm just offering you another view.

Some beautiful pictures there evster !! Picture #5 of the railway tracks....would that happen to be close to hwy 11 about 10 miles south of Temagami near Angus Lake ?? I'm darned certain my brother and I hiked along that very spot about 5 years ago.

Thanks for that Marc, some really interesting reading there.

I've got no personal experience with them either Mark, but like you, I've heard nothing but good things about them and it seems like their new technology is gaining alot of support. I watch quite a few of the fish'n tournies on TV and see an awful lot of the boats are now using the Evinrudes, so I'm assuming that's a good indication. Good luck with whatever motor you decide on.

I dunno, but I must be doing something right, cause I can honestly say that in all the years I've been fishing, I have NEVER had a fishing rod break on me while casting, trolling, hooksets or anything else. I broke 2 a few years ago when I accidentely knocked an outboard motor over on them in the back of a truck, but never while fishing. Hopefully my luck continues

mistaredone, you'll be happy with the C3, it's a decent reel that will work well for a long time. It's sorta like an old Chevy, nuthin fancy but very tough & dependible PAZE, I'm just curious as to what you mean when you keep referring to all these reels "blowing up" when your friends get backlashes ?? I've seen some pretty nasty backlashes over the years while folks are casting musky baits..... including my own share.....but I've never seen them do any damage to a reel. As I say, I'm not doubting you for a minute, just curious as to what the actual damage was

I picked up the Hotmap Premiun 07 last year for the West Arm and was very impressed with it. I purposely came in close to alot of the structure to check the accuracy of the map and for the most part it was right on, but that's no guarantee that everything is marked 100%. I spent 5 days cruising the Arm last August and had no problems at all. Just be aware though, that NOTHING on the West Arm west of Hwy 64 is marked, it only shows the area to the east. $99 for that chart is an incredible price, I think I payed $175 at West Marine in Toronto.

Looks like this is the season for everyone to quit smoking and congrats to everyone for making one of the best decisions of your entire life !! I think the most important thing to do before making the choice to quit is to really convince yourself that you want to do it. If you don't convince yourself 1st, I think it makes the whole process more difficult. Sit down and make a list of all the reasons you want to continue smoking, then make another list of all the reasons you'd like to quit and it should make the choice alot easier for you. I was hooked on those filthy things for 30 years but I've been off them now for 17 years.

The Abu Record is talked about a fair bit on some of the American musky boards and it seems most of the guys that have tried them have not been very satisfied with them at all. I have no 1st hand experience with the Record myself, but it doesn't sound like too many are happy with it.

WTG Pete, guess now we can drive with the windows closed in the winter time, eh ?? Congrats bud, one of the best moves you'll ever make !!

Very well done Brian !! I told you the boyz would be more than willing to work with you on this. Good job.

I've got a CT 400 on one of my musky rods and have nothing but good things to say about it and wouldn't hesitate in recommending it. Never tried the St. Croix or Diawa so can't help you there.

A similar thing happened to my Mom a couple years back Jon. The furnace man came to her home to do a regular scheduled maintanance on her furnace and decided it was time for her to install a chimney liner and he immediately red-tagged her furnace, even though it was the dead of winter and the liner couldn't be installed for sevaral days. Mom was 80 years old at the time, living alone and this guy had her terrified that the earth would come to an abrupt end if the furnace was turned back on before a new liner was installed. She called me and I went over and convinced the guy that everything would be taken care of and just leave the furnace alone until the liner was installed. She'd lived in the home for 5 decades with no problems and another 72 hours wouldn't hurt. Obviously we all have to be careful with these type of things, but I sometimes think the installers get panicked and carry things too far.

This picture was taken in 1958 Danbo, it's my dad, my brother eddyk on your left and that's me on your right in the brown striped sweater. You can see the bone handle of a knife on my right hip, and I've still got it and it still travels with me on all my camping trips. Not bad for 50 years eh ??

Got back from my round trip to London an hour ago and fortunately the roads were clear and dry and I didn't need the extra clothing I always pack this time of year. It's hard to believe after all the snow they received in the Barrie region yesterday, that the corridor between Toronto & London is virtually clear of snow, cept for a light dusting that begins west of Milton. What a difference a few miles makes.

I'm heading to London at 9:00 this morning Brian, already got some extra clothes packed.

The 400 is a scary place when the whiteouts start. If you keep driving you hit the guy in front, if you slow down you get nailed from behind. Hope the injuries aren't too serious.

Terry, that's exactly why I suggested in my 1st post that Brian go and talk to those involved and see if they can come up with something that's suitable to everyone. I'd be interested in hearing how this works out.

Brian, I had to come back to this again. I'm not familiar with that area, but looking at your pictures it appears that's a boat ramp ?? I'm thinking the Fire Department was perhaps using the ramp for launching a rescue boat to continue their training in the event another fisherman goes thru the ice ?? If that's the case it may be the only spot they can launch the boat and have no other choice. The Fire Fighters training is normally done in as realistic conditions as possible and if that's gonna be their normal launch location, they need to be familiar with every aspect of it, and breaking thru the ice is definetely something they'll be faced with when the time comes. Just my thoughts anyways

With the way some of the worlds wackos are acting lately, it may not be too much longer till were ALL history anyways.....including the wackos.

WOW, whada coincidence Roy, Happy Birthday to both Jeff & Helene !!

Yup, definetely a good laff for a Sunday morning, thanks SNAG, we need more like that Ever thought of going into the salvaging business ??

Hey Brian, if their doing something that you think is a danger to others, go over to the station they work out of and have a talk with the boys and let them know your concerns. They'll be more than willing to work with you.

Good to hear things went well Wayne, that can be a nasty area at midnight.