JohnF

When in doubt, reserve. It can be very busy. If you don't book ahead get there at least (!!!!!) an hour before departure and keep yer fingers crossed. Walk-ons are usually no problem (as long as you have a ride on the other side). JF

My buddy Rob swears they're the best tasting fish he gets, and he'll eat most anything that will bite a hook. JF

Ain't that what the yellow buckit's fer? We larned that at the Taronna Show. JF

Seems to me this is more about logic than ethics, and we all know laws too often have little to do with logic. JF

Hey. I wear pink. JF

Retirement was the plan till my kid made me start a new business for him to run in the future. The good part is that I'm the boss for now and can take off whenever I want. Actually the new business has been great for me. I'm having fun. But that doesn't mean I won't sneak away whenever I get the chance. I'll even go out after slimey icky catfish. JF

Sounds like a catfest in the making. Can I play too? I promise to stifle the urge to squeal like a gurl (no offense to those of the feminine gender but I find catfish seriously icky) when I have to touch one of those slimey nasty creatures. JF

Jeez. When I walked into Garry's place the first time you both assured me that "Where's the friggin' cold beer" is how OFNers greet newfound friends. I was relieved when you said that to me 'cuz it sure looked like a half-moon (from Garry, cursing on the floor pretending to be a baseboard installing plumber with his butt crack hangin' out) was the order of the day. I considered myself lucky one of the dogs didn't start gnawing on my hind leg while I was avoiding the toxic twosome (Garry2rs & HTHM) doing the last of the sweaty (and I can now safely say the fresh air out on the water was a relief) woodwork installation. It took many beers, a shot of single malt, several (many) glasses of wine, and a very good meal before I started to feel safe, even out on the boat trolling for musky, or pickereyes, shrimp, lobster or anything but green trout (ask Garry) being as how it wuz the day before bass opener. I feel much safer going to Garry's now, even if Vu chews on my exposed parts and Buck rubs the wet stuff off on my pants. Particularly now that you've gotten into my pants (I mean waders) with yer wife's blessing (she seemed like such a normal girl to be with someone like you). In any event I've now got a veehickle that will pull even Garry's big-bassed boat up those treacherous gravel ramps he insists on using. No more the need to call the neighbour, liable to be in his cups, to bring the 4wd to save our souls. I'm really looking forward to our next Kawartha g2g. I'll bring the AWD, the scotch and the cold beer (cuz I value all the parts still attached & working). You guys just have to find the fishies and tell me when to cast and when to crank. Life is simple for one like me. If my message is too cryptic, try drinking a snootful before you read it again. I remember it seemed to make sense sitting in Garry's livingroom, or perhaps on his floor. His place is fun if yer constitution is up to it. JF

But are they catching anything? JF

On the weekend I was practice casting to the corners of my pool. There's lotsa water on top of the cover. Got skunked. JF

And now if I can just figger out how the talking computer thingy works .... (Sync) JF

Glad to hear it. If it's anywhere near as good as the Pilot was I'll be very happy. JF

Jeez. I have trouble with 150 yarders. JF

The Honda lease was up and the residual too high. Apparently the Ford has the full towing package incl the tranny cooler. JF

I just got rid of a Pilot (great vehicle btw). And yes, I got the AWD on the Flex. After the Pilot I'm a committed AWD type. The only reason I changed brands was that the lease was something like $150 less. My wife's new car is also all wheel but a tad smaller. Actually, she will probably argue that the Flex is hers (now that she's driven it) and the little car is mine for fishing and whatnot. We got rid of her CTS for a Mazda Tribute GT6AWD. I made a point of getting leather in the Mazda so I could jump in with my waders on to move to another creek location. It's just like a Ford Escape, actually built in Louisville in the same plant so I'm told. The fishing thang is why she might say it's mine. Fact is I need a decent-sized vehicle for business travel (the Flex) but I'll use the Mazda for my creek tours. JF

Have any of you hauled a boat with a Ford Flex? I know they're one of the world's ugliest car creations but we just got one and if the stars align Mama will let me buy a boat this year (or next, or mebbe 2011). JF

They just suck. JF

Remember your words when it's your pockets being picked left right and centre. These are public servants, our employees if you will. We're entitled to know what they make (notice I didn't say earn). I agree with you about doctors and nurses too. I've seen some of the crap they have to deal with in hospitals. There's not enough money in the world to get me to work in a trauma unit, even if I had the training. JF

Body Hair Unlimited?????

The King & I? Central Command? Monique & Co. Global Corporate Central? Hard to come up with anything that's really grand and pretentious enough JF

Good catch. After looking at the last shot more carefully I suspect you're right. JF

Only one word comes to mind, but it's kinda rude. JF

I got one of those for my son at Christmas a year ago, then borrowed it to take to Mexico. Shot about 800 pics down there and after seeing them, three other people went out and bought the same camera. It's much nicer to use than my $500 Canon, better optical zoom etc. It's the easiest learning curve I've seen on a camera. I didn't have a manual with me in Mexico so I just played around and learned to do lotsa great things by trial and error. My brother has now stopped using his rather expensive digital Panasonic in favour of the Fuji, and he's kinda anal about the shots he gets. He uses them for covers on music cd's he produces. My fishing buddy Rob bought one to shoot his art for posting to the net and for collecting nature scenes. He's the original luddite but even he figgered out how to use the camera. His laptop, email and the internet still have him perplexed though. He's lucky to get his car started some days but he can sure take pics with that camera. JF

There's a reasonable expectation that remuneration/compensation will increase commensurately with the size of the hierarchy below the position, and/or the amount of responsibility assumed. Some of our big companies are so bloated with levels of labour, administration, management etc that the salaries at the top of the hierarchy are bound to be pretty crazy. Arguably the folks receiving the big salaries aren't actually worth the money but how can they be expected to take less than the people below them in the totem who assume less responsibility etc? And every once in a while the person at the top is actually a leader and perhaps worth the big bux. Besides, we're a materialistic society, and our success is judged by the size of our pay cheque and the size of our toys. The big number on those guys' cheques is more about their position of eminence rather than what they're really worth. That number is also a reflection of the company's stature in the industrial community. JF

Some of us have very good friends from south of the border, and we know that they're at least as good at the humanity game as us Canucks. Perhaps that familiarity makes us feel like we are entitled to stick it to them occasionally but that doesn't mean we disrespect them. It's just a buddy thang. We've all had our problems with border types. Personally, my worst run-ins have been with our own Canadian guys - well, other than the guy who .... well, never mind. That's a story for another time, but I assure you, the dude didn't really mean to shoot me, and perhaps we were a tad out of line. Four guys on their way to a Nascar event can be kinda unruly after 3 hours on the road in a motorhome on a Friday evening after a tough week at work. JF