adempsey

I have those experiences everywhere. Especially any large store. Honestly, the issues you ran into were created by yourself. Price adjustments and forgetting your card, that's a guaranteed wait almost anywhere. It's no excuse for lackluster customer service, but it's hard to expect much else these days.

Any recipe that uses butter and buttermilk should work. Butter has to be very cold and not overworked into the dry ingredients. I like the recipes from Cooks Illustrated.

This is from Cook's Illustrated:

The Problem

Traditional "roll and cut" recipes yield flaky, but not particularly fluffy, biscuits.

The Goal

To create a rustic roll with a crisp, golden brown top that sits high above an extra-fluffy, moist, and tender crumb.

The Solution

We tried lard, vegetable shortening, and butter, both separately and in combination. The biscuits made with lard or shortening were bland compared with the rich flavor of the all-butter biscuits. A few more tests showed that the best way to add the butter to the dough was to combine it--chilled straight from the refrigerator--with the dry ingredients in a food processor. Low-fat buttermilk produced biscuits richer in flavor and texture than nonfat, but tasters raved about both batches. Knowing that steam was an important contributor to the high rise of the biscuits (moisture in the dough converts to steam in the oven, causing the biscuits to swell), we experimented with oven temperature. Five minutes at 500 degrees followed by 15 minutes at 450 degrees maximized the rise from the steam. For even more rise we used both baking soda and baking powder (with a hefty amount of the later at 1 tablespoon). To shape the wet and sticky dough into biscuits, we scooped up a biscuit-size lump of wet dough, dusted it with flour, shaped it into a round, and placed it in a 9-inch nonstick cake pan. Once all of the biscuits were packed into the pan, we brushed the tops with melted butter.

Buttermilk Biscuits

from Cook's Illustrated

Dough

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (10 ounces)

1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon table salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold), cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1 1/2 cups buttermilk cold, preferably low-fat

To Form and Finish Biscuits

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (5 ounces), distributed in rimmed baking sheet

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Spray 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Generously spray inside and outside of 1/4 cup dry measure with nonstick cooking spray.

2. For the dough: In food processor, pulse flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda to combine, about six 1-second pulses. Scatter butter cubes evenly over dry ingredients; pulse until mixture resembles pebbly, coarse cornmeal, eight to ten 1-second pulses. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Add buttermilk to dry ingredients and stir with rubber spatula until just incorporated (dough will be very wet and slightly lumpy).

3. To form and bake biscuits:Using 1/4 cup dry measure and working quickly, scoop level amount of dough; drop dough from measuring cup into flour on baking sheet (if dough sticks to cup, use small spoon to pull it free). Repeat with remaining dough, forming 12 evenly sized mounds. Dust tops of each piece of dough with flour from baking sheet. With floured hands, gently pick up piece of dough and coat with flour; gently shape dough into rough ball, shake off excess flour, and place in prepared cake pan. Repeat with remaining dough, arranging 9 rounds around perimeter of cake pan and 3 in center. Brush rounds with hot melted butter, taking care not to flatten them. Bake 5 minutes at 500 degrees, then reduce oven temperature to 450 degrees; continue to bake until biscuits are deep golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Cool in pan 2 minutes, then invert biscuits from pan onto clean kitchen towel; turn biscuits right-side up and break apart. Cool 5 minutes longer and serve.

Nice biography (and fish!). Makes me think I better get movin on some life accomplishments...sheesh!

I bet he drinks Dos Equis too, right? lol.

Ya, they went from 25 and 20 to 15 last year, even before their new F2 formulation came out. I went around and bought up a whole bunch (more like lifetime supply,lol) of 25 and 20 packs. You can still find them in some places around here.

Walmart also sells some Yum in smaller packs of 5, that I have only seen at Walmart, and I don't recall them having salt either. The grubs in these packs are longer than the regular Yum grubs and I found at least one color that you can't find in the larger packs. They may be another brand that is packaged by Yum for Walmart specifically as I saw identical looking grubs in a similar package under some other "no name" brand in the same store. So maybe Yum is sending their cheaper stuff to Walmart in the larger packs too. Who knows.

Just rent. Even better, go stay in a dorm for your first year - most fun you'll have and you'll meet your roommates for the next year.

First, you won't likely be approved for a mortgage without someone co-signing for you. Do they even do 0 down payments anymore? I thought they stopped that? Someone already mentioned taxes, water, electric bills....

Second, if you don't like your roommates - which happens often - you can leave in 60 days, or at least at the end of the school year. If you own the house you are stuck with your tenants until at least the lease expires.

Third, once the school year is over you can go back home and not pay rent (believe me, you will miss the luxury of being at home).

Fourth, when school ends you will have a 4 month gap in the rent unless people sublet.

Fifth, tenants can be a huge pain to deal with. At least in Toronto, tenants hold all the cards and if they skip rent the landlord can do very little about it. It might be different in Waterloo, I am not sure.

Sixth, at $250k it's probably an older house. Are you prepared to take care of the repairs? yard work? There will probably be a lot of them if I recall my University days clearly enough.

That being said, I met several students (or their parents) over my years that did exactly what you want to do. So, it's doable, and it may work out just fine for you as long as you are well prepared and buy the right property. Also, do you have a sibling that will be attending UoW in the near future? If so, it would make more sense to have a place for them to stay as well later on. So, it might be something you can discuss with your parents and they can help you out.

Another alternative is to rent a house and sublet out the rooms. That was something I also came across several times.

Best of luck!

For braid to mono or fluoro I use a double uni knot; or sometimes a small barrel swivel tied with a Palomar knot. If the mono/fluoro is much larger diameter than the braid, I use the Reverse Albright knot.

Most of the time I use a Palomar knot. Sometimes improved clinch or Rapala knot. I use these for all line types.

Outpost or lodge? If you're willing to go to NWT or Manitoba, I am sure you will find somewhere amazing - unfortunately, have not yet been to either.

Based on the few research publications that I have read it's primarily related to food source. Although, the size of the lake is often positively correlated with fish size at maturity, this is due to the diversity of food sources available - more energy rich foods (e.g., prey fish compared to mysids) produce larger fish. This goes for all species of fish that include other fish as part of their diet. I think lake trout are a good example of this.

Another factor is predation. For species like perch, predation reduces the population density. This in turn reduces competition for food sources and results in a healthier fish population. There is obviously a fine balance here somewhere though.

Genetics may also play a role, but I am not sure how distinct fish populations are between various lakes nor do I have any idea how the distribution of fish even occurred. However, it is not uncommon for species that have been physically separated to experience "founder effects" and "genetic drift" - which is basically a reduction in genetic variation within a population. So I am guessing it's possible that some lakes with a small founder population may have a certain genetic variety that is larger at maturity than it's cousins - but typically, the variations in genetics are not ones that are expressed "visibly".

Looks like a spectacular trip! Perfect place and beautiful fish.

Thanks for sharing.

Picked up a couple of those Zen baits today. Seem fairly decent. I really like the Matzuo Octopus hooks, but these are the first of their lures that I have purchased. Might grab a couple more before the coupon expires next Tuesday.

Try it out. Buy the 100M spool for $6.50 and see how it goes.

I keep reading a lot of good things about Thermacell and that uses a synthetic analog of the natural repellent pyrethrin from chrysanthemums as well. So, perhaps the Columbia clothes are "wearable Thermacells" and it forms a "repellent" barrier around you? Beats me. Would be interesting to see some reviews.

I still have em in my tackle boxes though, so I'm not sure what that says about me? hahahaha

Yes, yes. I am a hypocrite as well. I probably buy at least 3 colors of a given model of a crank I like. Some of my favorites I probably have over 20 different colors, lol. Well, when I can't fish, I shop....

Previously someone made a post about some fishing videos. In "The Underwater World of Trout" the narrator demonstrates the difference between what water looks like from our perspective and what it's like in the water. Very clear water was actually not as clear when you were inside of it. Although, these were primarily rivers, I imagine the water in a clear lake isn't as clear as one might think. The suspended particles reflect light and the visibility through the water column won't be as great as looking down into it from the outside.

Personally, I think finding the fish is far more important than bait color. Next would be the fishes feeding behavior - when they feed and what they are targeting. I would guess that fish are typically opportunistic feeders, so if they are in the "feeding mood" I imagine they will go after whatever requires the least amount of energy expenditure, as long as it looks like food to them. Of course, there will be seasonal variations in forage and the fish are going to take advantage of that; and is likely a learned behavior (e.g., May fly hatch).

As for realistic looking lures. I have my doubts they work any better than the others. Can fish actually make out those details from so far away? Especially when the bait is moving so quickly? Unlikely.

Nice trip! BTW, what the heck is a pierogie pizza???

My first thought, based on the eyes, was StrikePro. Perhaps that is what the SP stands for?

I think you're right. It looks very much like the Strike Pro Alpha Minnow, although I couldn't find anything on the net with that color and red eyes. Don't even think I have ever come across a Strike Pro minnow bait before.

my guess is a cheap Chinese knock-off.

That'd be my guess too.

The online prices at SAIL look to be lower for fishing gear. So thats good =) Their website is not very good though. I don't understand how these relatively large retailers can have such poor websites. Lebaron's site is still worse though, IMO.

I've never been to a SAIL store and am looking forward to checking it out in December!

Good to hear! It was pretty decent last year and was wondering what it would be like this season. Hopefully I can get out and catch some of the action!

Cheers.

I have been getting reports from anglers fishing the festival over the last couple of days that the walleye bite is dynamite right now. The rainy start to the week slowed the action but the last couple of days have turned the fish on and I have heard of 50-70 fish days for several groups.

 

Get your button, grab your rod and get out on Rice Lake. Sounds like everything is pointing to a great long weekend.

 

 

 

 

If your in the area don't forget the family fishing day tomorrow May 21 from 10-4 at Golden Beach Resort. Family fun and smiles available to everyone.

I called and I just got a message that played "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley. Weird.....

I use 17-25lb Trilene Big Game or Stren Heavy Cover for making my harnesses. Stiffer line allows the spinner to move more freely and helps with abrasion. Any 12lb+ mono would probably be fine. So, if you have any 12lb+ mono lying around, you could just use that. Otherwise, Trilene Big Game is pretty cheap.

Nice! I still remember learning about Pangnirtung in Grade 8 geography class! Ha!

This post has a good discussion of what to bring that might prove useful to you: http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178698

Another good thread here if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28692 and here http://apthorpeoutdoors.blogspot.com/2009/07/lake-nettogami-2009.html

I have never fished that body of water but I am sure it's similar to others I have fished. If it were me, as already recommended, jigs with plastic grubs (I prefer Yum and Gary Yamamoto in white, chartreuse and pink). If you can manage it, I'd also bring some nightcrawlers to use on spinners behind bottom bouncers or Lindy rigs, because you never know; but in all likelihood you will probably be fine with just jig and grub. Gulp minnows are a nice alternative to the plastic grubs as well. I'd also bring a few cranks to mix things up for fun - Rapala Shad Raps, X-Raps and Storm Hot'N'Tots would be top on my list.

For pike I'd also recommend the Johnson Silver Minnow (the largest one in silver) with a large white grub as a trailer. The Fin-Tec Title Shot spoon looks like a great alternative too. I also really like using Williams Whitefish spoons, the 4" and 6" ones in silver. White spinnerbaits are also great.

Good luck!

Solid looking setup. Congrats!