Meely

Can anyone provide any info on the ice condition between Innisfil Beach and Long shoal? Usually head out from Innisfil Beach but have not ventured out yet this season. Not looking for anyone's honey holes....Just want to make sure it's safe to venture out (by sled), then we can find our own spots. Any info would be muchly appreciated. Meely

BC.....I concur ! May be just the weekend to get all those odd errands/chores dun !! Meely

'Dey got pills fer dat , Roy ! Meely

Reminds me an episode of The Little Rascals where Spanky and Scotty are watching the "Grown Ups" ...... Scotty says to Spanky........"They'll Never Learn".......Guess it still holds true all these years later...!! Meely

Thanx Gang. This is EXACTLY the stuff I'm looking for. I'll check out these links. Meely

Well, Its time to start planning my spring cottage project. This year I plan on dressing up a boring wood-panel wall in my living room. I have decided to go with the "stone" look. After researching products, I have come to learn that there are various sized panels, styles and patterns of faux stone that can be screwed into a wall as opposed to using mortar etc. My problem is, all the suppliers, I have found, are in the US and I really dont wanna pay all the shipping and customs fees. Does any OFC'er have a lead/idea where I can find a local dealer of such products in the GTA ?? Any feed back on these products?? Thanks for any help, Meely

Hey Misty....Thanks for the pics..........GREAT. Beans.......Yup...we're all loaded up.....Crappie aint got a chance this April !! Meely

Seein' as I had some vacation time to use up, I decided to take a quick jaunt over to Dundee Michigan to visit the local Cabela's and all I can say is WOW.......UNBELIEVABLE !!!! 250,000 sq feet of pure heaven !!! I was astounded from the moment I set foot into the front doors. I mean, the mounts/replicas are INCREDIBLE !!!! . Every possible species you can think of including animals such as Buffalo, Lions, otters, mountain goats, 4 Moose, a Rhino and to top it all off a full scale elephant......UNREAL!!. It took us 6 hours over 2 days to visit both levels of the entire store. I was in heaven. The aquariums are stunning with all sorts of species. A TON of stuff for both the angler and the hunter. MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT I DID NOT BRING MY CAMERA !!!! IM STILL KICKING MYSELF !! Just to put things in perspective on the grandeur of this place.... I stood on the second floor overlooking the main store and could not see the entire store in my field of vision....I actually had to look from sided to side to see it all......UNREAL! As we were only there for 24 hours and I didn't want any headaches at the border, I stuck to buying a few "Believers" in some patterns I have never seen over here. It was more of a "go check it out" trip rather than a "let's go shopping" trip. Next time I go over, I think I'll make a weekend of it. If you have ever thought about it.....or have a day or two to spare.....GO CHECK IT OUT !!!.....rumour has it they are planning on opening a location in Montreal.......cant wait !!! Meely

DONE !

CF, I was in your same situation about 10 years ago. I was 29 and had always wanted a cottage of my own. Was tired of renting and having to tow the boat everywhere. I took the plunge in buying a place ( Im on Pigeon Lake) and have NEVER regretted it. I purchased it for an "all around" reason. Financial Discipline, Investment, Income opportunity and most importantly..ENJOYMENT (Fishing). I can not tell you how many good and memorable times I have had up there since. I was very fortunate when I made the move to purchase as the value has increased since and as it turns out am sitting on a very nice return for my money. I always tell people there are three things you need to look at.....drive time, location and price. I am convinced you can not get all 3 anymore and have to sacrifice one of these when purchasing( just my opinion). As for insurance, take Irishfield's advice, ensure you have road access if you do purchase...... Meely

I had the good fortune of stumbling upon Hill's book wayyyyyback in 1987 during my first year of college. I have read it at least once a year ever since. A very powerful and motivating book. I would highly recommend it as did many of my teachers way back. Every new read adds a tid-bit more to me...... Meely

I can definetly relate. April 15, 2007 I tipped the scales at a hefty 330 lbs. April 16th I decided...ENOUGH. Here we are in December and I'm proud to say I'm down to 260. Nice to be able to feel ribs (other than the ones smothered in BBQ sauce) again. Meely

For the past few years I have been venturing out onto Lake Simcoe to target Whitefish. Never eally cared for them until I learned how to filet and de-bone them and since, I have to admit, I love getting my eat-on. ( I respect the limits....dont worry ). I was reading on "another board"...( I know....What am I thinking???) that there is a limit to the amount of Whiteys one should consume out of Simcoe. Anyone have more info on this ?? Thoughts??? Meely

Well.......after a few phone calls with my current agent.....I have been given another quote for my sled........Ready?? $170 for the year !! Now, this I can live with. Why couldn't we just say that right from the beginning??? Just wanna say THANKS to those OFC'ers who offered me assistance (With insurance and my PC) . This board goes above and beyond just fishing and we keep seeing it time and time again. I will ensure I pay it forward.... Thanks again and see you on the ice !! Meely

GCD..... I just may give them a shout. Not too keen on bagels and butter tho..... Meely

Not that I a speed Demon ...... but...... thats my fear.....running into someone or something..... Meely

Last year I had an older snowmobile given to me by a buddy of mine. Its a 1985 Bombardier Citation ...I think its a 250 ....if that.... Anyhoo, I figured it would be a great ice fishing machine and seein as it cost me zilch to buy, I'd sink a hundred bucks or so into some paint and getting the seat re-upholstered. This year, Im figuring, SWEET, shes nothing fast or worth much....can't be all that much for insurance. I figured I'd get just liability cuz if someone was really that desperate enough to steal her, they could have her.......... So, my agent comes back with a quote for the year....just liabiity......get this..... SIX HUNDRED AND EIGHTY BUCKS !!!! I nearly soiled myself!!!! One year's worth of liability insurance is gonna cost me 5 times what the sled is worth?? Is something wrong with this picture or what??? Are these the going rates? Is this guy for real?? Sheesh.....Think I just may toss the sled AND my computer off a cliff !! Meely

douG, "Life is too short to not eat ..........a gweech" WOW....4 years huh??? Time flies...... Meely

Question: Can anyone tell me what the best/safest sweetener is other than sugar. Is Splenda Ok? I have been hearing all kinds of things.....Nutra-sweet, Aspartame yadda yadda... Always thought Splenda was sugar derived and safe.....any thoughts? May have to revert back to good ole fashioned honey !! Just a question....... TNX Meely

douG, I would recommend an Indonesian coffee. Indonesians compliment cheeses VERY well. Try pairing one up with Brie cheese. Very rich.....almost buttery. Secondly, when brewing at home .....if possible try to use cold filtered water. This will always yield the best flavour. Lastly, in order to yield the best tasting coffee, boiling water should never be used. Boiling water will ruin the extraction process and make horrible coffee. The best tasting coffee is produced using water at 88 - 93 degrees celsius. Meely

Just like wine, coffee has many different characteristics. The characteristics are determined by a number of things. Type of bean ( Arabica are the premium bean VS. Robusta a lower grade coffee bean), the country of origin, the growing region in that country, and also how the coffee was processed greatly influences a coffee's characteristics. The main growing regions in the world are ( I know....there are more) : Latin America, Africa, and Indonesia. Each region produces coffee that is greatly different. Latin america: usually nutty in aroma with a high acidity and mild in body Africa: usually floral in aroma, medium acidity, and have a very "citrusy" flavour Indonesia: usually very "earthy" in flavour, low acidity and are usually Bold or full bodied Most "commercial" coffee is comprised of the lower grade Robusta beans "topped/mixed" in with some Arabica beans. Arabica beans are like the Ferrari's of beans. Very few coffees are 100% Arabica as they are more expensive. Most of the world's coffee is grown between the two tropics where the climate is pretty consistent. A coffee tree will usually yieald about a pound of roasted coffee per year and will usually only produce for 10 years. Just like wine, coffee "pairs" very well with certain foods as opposed to others. IE: A lemon pie will pair very well with an African Coffee. Brewing methods are also very important when considering how you like your coffee. My house has always seen freshly ground espresso beans used on a stove top brewer. Just my "2 Beans" worth....... Meely

be sure to use a good moisturizer after your done the dishes. I would hate to see your hands get dry and cracked......may hinder your vacuuming ! LOL..... Just kidding ladies..... Meely

Do I need to get uncle Guido and BIG Vinny "The Chin" involved? Lemme know...... Meely

Only yer eyebrows??? ......and yer worried??? I trim my eyebrows starting from the small of my back !!! What??....I'm "Eye-Talian" !!! Meely

McDonalds??? Wait til I tell the boss.......