squiggs

I have the pentax optio W90 and highly recommend it. Very quick on start up, all the usual features of any point & shoot, built in macro lights, comfortable in the hand and fits well in any pocket. The only downfall I have found is that the view screen glass will get scratched as it sits proud of the rear surface of the camera. Avoid the Olympus, terribly slow on start up. Canon was a close second but it is very bulky. Fuji seemed cheap to me, my brother in law has one, I don't know how he's making out with it. Cheers

Here's the guy I use when I need worms, located in Georgetown but they ship country wide. Bait site: http://www.butterworms.ca/ Parent site: http://www.recorpinc.com/ Cheers Squiggs

Definitely recommend the Foodsaver brand, I don't know if there is a mechanical difference from one model to another, I just have the $100 version available at sears, zellers and such. It is fantastic for keeping bulk purchases fresh, and especially for transporting fish home from a road trip. The bags are cheapest at Costco (if you know someone with a membership) A box of 4 large and 2 small width rolls is about $35. The best I have found at other retailers is $20 for 2 large rolls. Cheers jamie

I believe what you are referring to is known as a sand point. Driven in to sandy ground to provide water. I don't know the pricing but any hardware store outside of the big city should have stock of the point and piping and be able to give you a price. They usually have a fine stainless steel screen wrapping around them to separate the water from the sand/soil, I'm curious about this 'screen less' version. Hope this helps. Cheers jac

Places I can recommend & have stayed at recently are sunset shores 866.887.8862 located at the batchawana river crossing of #17 or McCauleys motel 705.649.5571 which is about 30-40 minutes north of the soo, at the very bottom of batchawana bay (haviland bay actually) Neither one is the hilton but they won't break the bank either. All the best on your trip. Cheers jac

Use the poor man's downrigger. A dipsy diver or the walker equivalent (size 1) Only 10-15$. A trolling rod or heavy baitcasting rod will do. Add a clamp on rod holder and you're off to the races. Last summer we were slaying the lakers in Haliburton area where 40' of water met up with bottom. Sometimes running the dipsy right onto the 40' contour. I found body baits to be more effective than spoons. Cheers Squiggs

I'll echo what oldphart said, the main bodies of the big lakes are iffy, anything small or shallow will probably be ok. Overall no more ice than the previous weekend but the shorelines have firmed up. There was 6" of light powder on top of the glare ice. Only 1 16" pick for me saturday, the guys 75' away caught 6+ including a beast I figure was close to 6 lbs. You've got to be on the hole within the hole. Cheers jac

Will know for sure tomorrow morning, but you'll have to wait for the post on monday. With these temperatures, the shorelines will have locked up again and I'd trust most places except for the main bodies of the big deep lakes. Creek & river mouths will be iffy. Check in with the bait shop. Cheers jac

My input on the topic and what i did when I had the same thought cross my mind when I was 25: I Bought near Minden in 1997, 80K, now assessed at 140K, on the open market it would probably go for closer to 200K. It will be paid off in less than 8 years from now (HINT: bi-weekly payments). Small lake, year round road, winterized cottage. Since the original purchase I have drilled a new well, renovated the living room, built a deck and purchased 25 acres of vacant land directly across the road. The funds to do all of this have come from re-financing and taking advantage of the appreciation of the original purchase. I've never rented it for income either, that just spells headache to me. Do I regret having no home to call my own in the city? Slightly, but the enjoyment I have had and will have in the future at my cottage more than makes up for that. I've been fortunate to have friends in the city that I can stay with for less cost than renting on the open market. So once the cottage is paid for, I'll be looking to buy in the urban jungle (I used my RRSP's for the cottage so I'm SOL on that front). IMO, as far as a long term investment (10+ years) you can't beat real estate. For short term (if you want to own a home within 10 years) I would rent a cottage for vacations. Keep in mind that with the cost of urban housing you may be house poor with most $ going towards a 300K+ mortgage. The market is a moving target. I would have thought prices would have stabilized before now but you keep hearing of price gains. talk to some agents or browse listings in the potential markets, they're your best source for up to date info. It realy is a personal decision. If you're the kind of person who doesn't like being stuck in the city on weekends and you're going to use it consistently, it makes sense, I suffer withdrawall if I'm away from mine for more than 3 weeks. Heading there in 4 hours. Cheers jac

We had to bring a plank. Was on N. pigeon, no more than1" black under 5" white, left after an hour when the lake woke up and started making noise, constantly. Rest of the weekend was spent on kash. the shorelines are fresh ice as the lake went up by 2' with the rain and meltwater. Once out there we found 9" of mostly black ice [cleats would have been a good idea]. 8 pick's over the weekend between 2 guys, best being 2 1/2 lb. All other big lakes we looked at were in bad shape, some huts through, large open areas at inflows. This week of colder weather will make a big difference. It should make everything safe except for the main bodies of the big lakes. Cheers squiggs