kickingfrog

More money doesn't necessarily mean more durable. Usually more expensive rods mean: Lighter, better components and maybe better build quality. I'm not interested in spending big money on a flipin' stick, so that low $100s range would be my max, and then throw more money at the reel.

I'm still working on the Havana Club dark and amber that I picked-up in Cuba. To be honest I mix mine with so much coke that I'm not sure it makes a difference. I just use barcardi white for mojitos.

I saw that. I may pickup of as a backup.

Flip it around and it lasts twice as long.

Yep, as long as you're not using it on a downrigger, or ridiculous loooong flatlineing. I usually get the bigger bulk spools for braids since I'm not as concerned with them sitting on the shelf at home for a while before putting them on my reels. Most of mine have 75 yards or so and I've never seen the mono backing. At 75 yards I can have a few irreversible professional overruns before the line has to be replaced.

Well selling and buying a house is going to keep me busy for a while, although I might have some time come mid May.

Ya, that site is great. http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/region_map.html

Commander Hatfield posted this photo today.

In all fairness that might also be a look of holly bleep "look what happened... and we don't have a scratch."

That'll buff right out.

Spring when? Sometimes iceout does not happen until after trout opener. Not likely to happen this year but who knows what the next month will bring for The Park weather wise.

It's not my fault. My winter tires are still on and the snow brush is still in the car.

I'm not sure how authentic this is, but is funny. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/9927554/Nascar-racer-Jeff-Gordon-goes-undercover-in-test-drive-viral.html

Not having to renew as often will be nice, but it will cost more of course, despite the fact that their processing costs will be less..

First noticed it when the Sabres fired their coach.

They were created not invented.

All tp is two sided, however only a fool uses both.

I don't know about torco but the guy I usually get my preppin' stuff from wasn't answering his phone today?

Justin recently had a great day taking photos of an owl in Algonquin Park. He wrote about it here: http://justinhoffmanoutdoors.com/

My understanding of the guarantor under the new rules is that if it is your first passport application the photo does still have to be signed by a professional but if you are renewing then the above standards apply.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2013/03/11/simcoe-north-mpp-concerned-about-perils-brought-on-by-rapid-growth By Sara Ross, Orillia Packet & Times Monday, March 11, 2013 6:14:11 EDT PM The health of Lake Simcoe is improving, but Garfield Dunlop is concerned for the progress as commercial and residential growth expands in the lake's watershed. “With the Simcoe County growth plan, the City of Barrie will grow by a tremendous amount,” the Simcoe North MPP said Saturday. Most of the growth — approximately 70,000 people — is expected to occur in the Lake Simcoe watershed, he said. “The surface runoff (from) driveways can really have an impact on the lake,” Dunlop said. “Stormwater management is really and truly my biggest concern.” The key will be to “very closely” monitor the stormwater management plan, he added. “In future years, that's going to be one of the key things monitored to keep the lake clean,” Dunlop said.
Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton called the impending residential and commercial growth “the big elephant in the room.” “We've got to improve and expand our efforts to control that (increase in phosphorous) before it gets into the lake,” he said. The second annual progress report on the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan was released by Ontario's environment minister on Friday. The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan was released in June 2009. “We are seeing encouraging signs in Lake Simcoe that the efforts being made by the public, scientists, municipalities and our partners are beginning to pay off,” said Environment Minister Jim Bradley. “I am particularly heartened to see more native fish being caught as we ramp down on phosphorus pollution.” Phosphorus was identified as a problem for Lake Simcoe's health in the 1970s. Excess phosphorous causes more plant growth and when those plants die and decay, oxygen levels are sucked out of the water, depriving aquatic life. The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan has been successful in decreasing the spring total phosphorus concentrations, which will help reduce algae. The phosphorus reduction strategy addresses the entire watershed and guides actions over the next 35 years. Sources of phosphorus include sewage treatment plants, airborne sources, agricultural polders, private septic systems and runoff from rural and agricultural areas, and stormwater runoff from urban areas. The plan targets an annual phosphorous load of approximately 44 tonnes per year. This is 40% less than the current average load. The number of naturally reproduced lake trout and lake whitefish is growing. 
The proportion caught by anglers rose from less than 20% in the mid-2000s to more than 40% in the winter of 2010, according to the report. Key highlights of the report include an increase to the lake's deep-water oxygen levels and the implementation of six subwatershed plans. The government has also created a new guide for municipalities on how to develop and implement stormwater management master plans to help reduce phosphorous loadings. Dunlop has received complaints about the plan's guidelines around development. “Some of the guidelines around development are just too strict,” he said. “The minimal distances from water sources, like ditches and that, for development are just too far.”

The way soccer players flop around all you would need is a pea shooter.

Nobody said soccer players were smart. http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/marten-runs-wild-during-swiss-super-league-match-175106193--sow.html

I'm sure that was satisfying.

Nice fish!