JohnAB

Kept my big truck and then bought a GMC Canyon with the 4 cylinder 5 speed combo. Gets an honest 29 mpg at 110 on the highway empty. Pulling the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1600 SC I get around 23 to 25 mpg. No complaints.

So Miller is going to go and confiscate handguns from people who have legally bought them, registered them and stored them safely for years. That should cause a few concerns. Confiscation of legally possessed property by the government. Who is going to reimburse all these law abiding people? Substantially more people in Canada die from alcohol related deaths than gun related deaths each and every year. That is a fact. To me, seems Miller should put all his efforts into reinstating prohibition. More bang for the buck so to speak. And they wonder why Alberta and the rest of western Canada do not like the Liberals and their misguided philosophy's.

That is happening in NB? Never knew that. Roy, careful there, my mom lives in NB as does most of my relatives!LOL

Osgood trying to butt end Ribero? That was what? Must admit, the Pens are sucking bigtime. Crosby and Roberts only two who seem to be trying.

No doubt about it, Number 4 Bobby Orr. Best player the game has ever seen in my mind.

I bought the exact boat out here this spring. Good boat, nice and stable. The 50 HP 2 stroke is alright, with all my gear and me the boat will run around 31 mph no problem. Only thing with the 50 2 stroke is it does not start as well as it could and does not like to idle when the motor is tilted up. I would strongly suggest going to the 60 HP four stroke or even the 75 horse optimax as I am going to upgrade mine next year. I paid $13500 plus GST for mine out here but the dealership threw in a few extra goodies as well.

OMC had a 300 HP V8 outboard back in the 80's I believe. My friend has the 300 HP Merc Pro Max that he has souped up on his 21 foot ski boat. (This guy is 65 years old) By his radar gun, the boat does 107 mph and he used to own a faster one as well in case someone wanted to race but he sold it. As for the bass tourney boats, I believe they are restricted to 225 HP max on their boats by the tourneys to keep the playing field somewhat level I guess. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

Awesome job.Goota like the 1974 Johnson as well. They are a classic!

johnny bass, some reading material for ya. Alberta pays its fair share and more Analysis shows requiring additional payments to other regions “unfair” By Mark Lowey Strong energy demand and prices have resulted in significant fiscal and economic gains for oil- and natural gas-producing regions, especially Alberta, and to calls for the province to contribute more to other regions in the interests of ‘equalization.’ However, the net fiscal contributions by Alberta to Ottawa and to other regions are already far higher than those of Ontario or B.C., the two other net-contributing provinces, according to an economic analysis by researchers at the Institute of Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) at the University of Calgary. Moreover, Alberta’s net fiscal contributions have historically been far higher than one would expect given its population and relative income position. U of C economists Dr. Robert Mansell, ISEEE managing director, and Dr. Ron Schlenker, ISEEE research associate, looked at all federal programs that transfer dollars among regions of the country, and they compared the total net fiscal contributions and benefits for each region. Their analysis shows that over more than four decades (1961 to 2002), the net federal fiscal contributions of Albertans have averaged about $2,500 per person per year (or $10,000 per year for a family of four), compared with $758 for each Ontario resident and $428 for each B.C. resident—the other two provinces with positive net federal fiscal contributions during this period. During this period, per capita incomes in Alberta were on average six percent higher than the national average. The comparable figures for Ontario and B.C. were 15 percent and six percent, respectively, above the national average. The other provinces were net beneficiaries, ranging from an annual net benefit of $4,700 per person in P.E.I., to $770 per person in Quebec. From 1961 to 2002 (the most recent year for which Statistics Canada data is available), Alberta made a total net fiscal contribution to the federal government of $244 billion, compared with $315 billion for Ontario and $54 billion for B.C. By far the largest fiscal transfers in Canadian history occurred through the national energy policies in the 1970s and 1980s, when the net transfers from Alberta alone associated with regulated energy prices amounted to $79 billion. “Clearly, calls from some politicians and academics for Albertans to make even larger net fiscal contributions for the benefit of other regions are not consistent with accepted standards of fairness or equity,” Mansell says. “ Alberta has historically been paying more than its fair share compared to other provinces, and today each Alberta family of four is making a net annual contribution to other regions of about $14,000.” Mansell and Schlenker included in their analysis all programs generating interregional transfers of money, including the Employment Insurance Program and the Canada Pension Plan, which are often overlooked when considering programs that result in substantial interregional transfers. They also took into account provincial differences in population size, per capita income, employment rates, length of work week and minimum hourly wage. “When everything is considered, our analysis clearly shows that over 42 years, Alberta has made a far larger net fiscal contribution than one would expect given its relative income position,” Mansell says. The high level of investment in Alberta’s energy sector also produces benefits that are widely distributed across Alberta and the country, the researchers note. Just through purchases of goods and services, 15 to 20 percent of the total impacts associated with a typical energy investment in Alberta flow to the Ontario and Quebec economies. These investment levels will continue to make the oil and gas sector the single largest private investor in the Canadian economy. The ISEEE researchers’ analysis also leads to the caution that while the non-renewable energy revenues flowing to the Alberta government are approaching historical highs because of high international oil and natural gas prices, these revenues are forecast to drop substantially. This is due to declining conventional gas production (which accounts for almost two-thirds of the total value of Alberta’s energy production) and to rapidly rising costs for replacing production with unconventional oil and gas supplies (including the oil sands). Since the energy sector directly or indirectly accounts for more than one-half of Alberta’s economy, the provincial government will have to make massive investments in transportation, education and technology development in order to develop additional energy reserves and sustain economic growth and prosperity, the researchers say. “Before making policy or spending decisions, it’s important to consider how sustainable these current surpluses are and how they compare to the investments by the provincial government that will be required for longer-term growth and prosperity,” Mansell says. “Without these investments in social and physical infrastructure, a strong and sustainable economy and environment will not be possible,” he says.

bigbuck, maybe the National Energy Program might have brought on the major distrust of western Canada and the rest of Canada. That program fleeced the western provinces, Alberta especially. Also look at the news lately, Dalton prancing around saying Ontario sends $20 Billion a year to Ottawa, more than any other province. That may be so, but to get a true grasp on transfer payments, look at those numbers on a per capita basis and I am afraid Alberta is sending more money to Ottawa than any other province.

Having lived out west in oil country all of my life, I have seen the boom/bust cycle before out here. Go from money is no object to no money at all seemingly overnite. I feel sorry for the people out here as there are some tremendous debt loads I am sure. $350000 homes, quads, boats, trailers etc and how they pay for them now I have no idea but wait till oil and gas crashes and look out. Can see signs now as a lot of the toys are up for sale. As for myself, I have cut back on fishing trips, quit smoking and drinking, bought a more fuel efficient truck and have parked the fifth wheel in favour of a tent. Also find myself driving within the speed limit more and the boat runs at 3/4's throttle not wide open near as much. Every little bit helps.

Like anything in life, if you go in prepared it is no big deal. A little rain, cold and wind can be tolerated quite nicely if prepared. Way I look at it, we only have so many weekends on the top side of the grass in our lives, so I try to enjoy everyone I get and will not let a little unpleasant weather stop me from enjoying myself. Plus those times can make for some of the best memories and a sense of accomplishment.

The Silva Ranger models are excellent compasses. Get one with an adjustable declination on it so you can set it and get true north. The ones with the flip up mirrors on them are nice for taking bearings over long distances as well as it allows you to site in on the target and read the compass as well very easily.

I have fished both lakes. Big Vermilion: Lots of small mouth bass hit along any of the islands in shallow with little Mepps Spinners or tube jigs, especially in the morning and boom you are good to go. Northern pike as well most everywhere and muskies too. Middle of the lake in the deep trough, their are lake trout. Have to go deep in summer but can be caught. Big Vermilion has a bait ban so please check before heading out on the lake. Not sure if there are any walleyes in the lake. Never caught one. Little Vermilion: Smallies as well, no walleyes, pike and muskies. Can take the creek into the Muskie Sanctuary to Muskie Lake and get muskies there. Be advised there are special rules for your hooks in the sanctuary. At Fred and Dee's gas station on the corner of the highway to Sioux and the highway to Hudson, you can get maps of each lake. I would advise you do as they show the travel routes etc. If you have your own boat you can go to Minnitaki or Lac Seul for walleyes. if you don't have your own boat, you can go to Frog Rapids just before Sioux Lookout and fish from shore there. As you are going up to Sioux Lookout, on your left hand side as you cross a bridge you will see a lot of white cabins etc. That is an outfitter. On the right hand side you will see a parking area. Bridge is over Frog Rapids.

So Bourque played longer???? Still has a better plus minus rating and averages more points per game.

Stoty if stats don't lie then here ya go Ray Bourque: Career plus minus of 528, averaged .98 points per game in his career. Lidstrom: Career plus minus of 378, averages .75 points per game. Oops, looks like Ray kind of dominates in every category there huh?

Bobby Orr was plus 128 in one season so plus 40 is not impressive.

Stats don't always tell the truth either. Lidstrom was only plus 40 on a team that was as a team plus 70 at least. Not that impressive. Actually kind of disappointing, especially in the weakest division in hockey. And secondary scoring, hmmmm. Scoring in playoffs goes Crosby, Malkin, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Hossa, Malone and Hudler. I fail to see the big difference in this vaunted Detroit spread out scoring punch? Also remember Pittsburgh has played one less game as well.

Stoty, did you fall down and hit your head as a youngster? Lidstrom top 3 defensemen of all time. Please Louise! Oh to laugh! As Don Cherry said, anyone who votes for Lidstrom as a top defensemen and the Norris trophy wouldn't know a defenceman even if they slept with Bobby Orr.

Stoty, he probably sqeaks in. But I rate a bunch before him though. Lidstrom ahs never done nothing for me as a defencemen. He has no mean streak.

Trophies are no way to judge greatness as voters are voting, more like a popularity contest than a true measure of a players greatness. Dion should have won it last year and should win it this year. All around way better D man than Lidstrom. He scores, he hits and he fights. Good with a mean streak. Plays in a tougher division as well. I mean come on now, Columbus, St.Louis, Chicago there are some powerhouse teams, run up the stats against them. Hasek has more Vezina wins than most but was has he ever done when it came to crunch time? Nothing. That is why Roy and Brodeur are rated better than Hasek. My top d men are: (of the D men I seen play) 1) Bobby Orr (best player ever to play the game, revolutionized the game) 2) Doug Harvey 3) Ray Bourque (highest scoring D man in history, totally class individual) Lidstrom would fall in the rest of the top ten somewhere.

In terms of scoring I think both teams are pretty well balanced, just look at the playoff stats. Lidstrom has not won the Norris this year and as a defencemen to have as few hits as he does is an embarassment to the league and whoever votes on these trophies. i would not rate Lidstrom in the top ten of all time defencemen. Oh and one other side note, no team ever captained by a European has won the cup. That doesn't bode well for the Wings.

President Trophy winners have not faired all that well lately when it comes to the cup. Call me silly, call me delusional, but the Pens will own the Wings in 5. Reminds me a lot of the Oilers and Isles of 84. Isles were a powerhouse, 4 time cup champs but came up against a young team of fast skilled players in the Oilers and were trounced. Sid and Gino will light up Detroits old archaic defense. Laraque will pound anyone on Detroit foolish enuff to go. Osgood tries to butt end Syd, Gino or anyone on the Pens and faces will be bruised by George. Only 3 good things about Detroit, Gordie Howe, Bob Probert and Steve Yzerman.

Now that is funny! Yep and once you let the fairer sex in on fishing with you, you are doomed to be second fiddle to them the rest of your life.

Awesome video and welcome aboard as well.