Gerritt

well if were talking specifics... I also purchased a Stradic, 2 daiwa sealines, a Quantum PT, 2 Shimano TDR's just about every variety of Reef Runner made, and a crap load of mann's Stretch 20's.. 4 Salty's, 4 grippers, 2 anchor cleats etc... the list goes on and on... Including a New boat, trailer and motor... I spent almost 700.00 just for the Quinte trip alone!... my payback for all that $$ a 3-4lb Walter... Go figure.. That fish was worth about 175.00 per pound I figure... but he went back to be caught another day by a fisherman that spent even more... again a great thread and look forward to it every year. G.

If a Muskie tastes human blood does he/she get blood lust? Like wild dogs are thought to do?.... Something to ponder... I declare war! LOL G.

Holdfast, take no offense to this. but instead of testing people and putting them to task, why not enlighten them? Teach them the things they may not know. It would go alot further then receiving zero replies to this post... It may also let more then a few of us understand your thinking and the reasoning behind it. Take it for what it is worth... just my suggestion. Gerritt.

can you just not replace the cork in its entirety? G

Happy Birthday Lew! G.

Nice to see this annual post!! Seeing as how I was rigging out my boat this year I found a couple really useful items.. Rope Grippers I added 4 of them... 2 on either side to hold my bumpers or fish basket... makes it a snap to move the bumpers if your dock location changes or dont want them flailing around while underway Salty S10's I really like these little beauties.. I got a ton of different suggestions when if came to adding rod holders to the boat I am glad I made this purchasing decision, they are movable adjustable and convenient when you want them out of the way. G.

Mike.... here is your next challenge! http://www.millstreetbrewery.com/beers_tankhouseale.htm Gerritt.

Safe to assume it was this weekend?? man was the fishing tough.. G

Mike, thank you for the thank you... but no need really, it is what anyone here would have done... welcome to the family brother.... now it becomes like crack cocaine.. you have put faces to nicknames and spent some time shooting the shart and having a couple bevies.. not to mention fishing with some of us. welcome to the dark side... Besides it should be me thanking you for the AWESOME brew...Loved it and will look forward to it @ the next G2G...Say Icefishing... and for being not only a great guy to chat with but for also almost pissing on Corey in the middle of the night!!.. He deserved it anyways....Just for the humour factor! Again man, Nice to have met yah. G. PS... I did not know they made floaters in Gigantor!

Try Lakair.... their always looking for slave errr... I mean free labour.. LOL Just kidding.. They run a top notch operation and would probably become new found friends with you. Gerritt.

Being a smoker, I always smoke outside of my house... it is the law of the land... why would my car be any different. When my son (2 years old) is around I am outside when I need to smoke. G.

Your correct... I honestly think they did not give a flying fark about us... they were just checking up on their bank roll...... I dont know how they can sleep at night... I honestly cant.... I couldnt imagine screwing people over like they do... it is my sincere hope they read these threads and do something about their lousy ways... but chances are they could'nt give a flying f&^% about how their customers feel... all they care about $$$$$$$ G.

I would second Grand River Veterinarian clinic. I grew up in Mount hope and had dogs all my life (til' marriage).. they are good folks and were always fair and respectful. Gerritt. PS... I hope that beauty of a lab makes it out just fine... she is a good looking ol' gal.

Lew your correct, if I was using a pubic Launch I would have it in the truck... but we paid for our cottages, the slips and the ramp... hell we rented almost the entire place out!.. but did they give a shart? nope...infact we were taken advantage of... I think I speak for most when I say we are considering going elsewhere next year... One would think if your paying top dollar you would have someone out there @ the docks... ensuring everything was kosher... Like the dock boys @ Lakair... helping people tie up, getting into the right slips, selling worms etc... there was NOONE there... these people (owners) are making money hand over fist and sit up in their house and do nothing.... hell even the one guy I did see working was whining about them.. Funny how the day after we arrived we saw crude paper posts go up with "Warning" signs about the docks.... why?? because noone was there to maintain them!! and they were a death trap... Lew I could go on... but my blood pressure was at an all time high this weekend.. it might be best if I PM you the whole story. G.

John, to be honest...will the cost and effort be worth it? First you have to by the blank... then the cork, then the eyes and do the wrapping and epoxy, the hardware required (the device that turns the rod to ensure an even coat of epoxy etc) I will be brutally honest here... Your hobby rods will cost you double to triple the price of a rod you can buy in the stores.. The reason we buy rods from Spiel.. is to have a quality one off... and we pay for that privilege to be honest ... I dont want to burst your ambitions... but it wont be cost effective unless your good and your selling them... Hell a Blank alone will cost you almost as much as if you bought the fully finished rod in the store.. Sorry man... but if you have some $$ to burn then have at it... But it Will cost a bit to get setup.. and learn how to wrap etc... vs... just purchasing a rod at your local shop.. PS... Spiel does an AMAZING Wrap job... G.

My condolences to the families. Holdfast... I would love to have a beer with you some day.. I think you might come across the board a little harsh...with text it is hard to see a persons expression.. But I think you would be an interesting fella to spend a day in the boat with. G

Paul, I was not the only one....trust me.. G.

Shawn (fishindevil) asked me to post the pictures of the winning fish as he was unable too do so from the PM he received.... Here they are! congrats on the winning fish! Gerritt.

The company was fantastic!!.. to bad the customer service was not... talk about being nickle and dimed... Get this... You paid more! if you said you were part of the OFC gathering... then you paid 10.00 per boat to dock per day... when on their site it says 5.00 and you get one slip with the cottage... one cottage 2 boats cost 40.00 to dock... 10.00 per day per boat irregardless of whether you had a cottage or not.. For what they called Guaranteed docking... guaranteed my arse.. they are by far the most dis-organized, inconsiderate lodge owners I have EVER met... but what really got me is when she told someone else to move MY boat... without first consulting me... I payed for a slip BTW... would you like me to move your truck without asking you first? unbelievable... Not to mention what they pulled on me last month, first I have a cottage.. Then I dont... Then I am to go to the MIL house... Then I have no docking.... These people have ZERO idea what customer service is... Nor did we see them aside from handing over the cash... Until the boat fiasco.. Hell when we asked for for sand for the ramp, we were told the sand is over there help yourself...... do you have a bucket? brutal. sums it up nicely. Gerritt.

Agreed, with the two above posters... Spiel makes some "sweet" custom rods... he may take his time.... but after seeing the end product... well worth the wait!!.. PS.. he wont give up his secrets anytime soon....... Gerritt.

ok man let me know

give me a call when you have a weekend free... I wouldnt mind at all spending a couple of days fishing with yah.. if your boats not ready we'll use mine. G.

Kevin nice to finally meet you. Your one hell of a guy.. just wish we had more time to talk... I was busy either fishing or sleeping... ahhh well... we'll get together soon.. Perhaps an Ice trip? G

Shawn, it was nice to finally meet you man! Thanks for organizing the tourney as well!! Nice fish Chuck caught... The fishing was tough, with few caught... and well today was a bit rough on the bones... Had it not have been for the great company (friends) It would have been miserable the whole time... what a disaster of a lodge... but we all persevered and made the best of it!! it was nice to see that EVERYONE got out fishing that wanted too... and everyone was well fed on Saturday... man what a feast!!! again Shawn, it was nice to meet you and I would be more then happy to fish with you anytime... G.

Lew, It was complete and utter chaos... the words to describe it I cannot utter here... In one word...(ok three) screw you Merlands. Gerritt.