Tom S

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyvCQVbm1Cs Looks to work for Wels Catfish also

I think you would be ok without looping back around. Do you do any prep to the wire before casting so that the lead can bond to it? If not maybe think about it as a strong bond will make it much much stronger than just being embedded in lead.

Just built a 9'6" rod using an MHX blank for a friend's son. Great blanks, He's a GLoomis guy, but was quite impressed with the finished rod. I know Spiel can get in the MHX blanks, if you want something good it's probably worth investigating.

Nice. Now you'll have a backup bladder and valve cage. I wonder if you could seal up the cracked one with aquaseal if it's still structurally sound.

That's a Classic Accessories pontoon, correct? Shoot them an email with pictures, they got back to me right away when I had the valve cage crack on a used pontoon I bought. I was able to buy a replacement through them for much cheaper than anywhere else.

Ironmaker, you forgot to mention a stop at Hewitt's on Hwy 6 after dinner. Egg & I in Hamilton for breakfast is always good. I also really appreciate 541 Barton, good for the community and some really good food. Buy a button.

Thanks for the heads up. I think we'll probably be trying to stay away from the main channel and the traffic, at least for the weekends. We're all the way up near Washago, I believe the cottage is actually on the Severn river just past the first rail bridge. It looks like there's plenty of structure along that east shoreline as long as we keep our eyes open for hazards.

Gun control is a bit of a catch-22 by this point. We need easy access to guns to protect us from criminals with guns. The criminals have guns because guns are easy to access. I think that some better form of education and regulation is required. More than what is required in the US, less than what is required in Canada. Shooting enthusiasts should be able to enjoy their sport responsibly, they are not the ones running around killing peoples. Responsible gun owners who wish to keep and store a weapon properly at home should be able to. Gun owners who don't respect their weapons or know how to store them properly need to be educated, otherwise we end up with situations such as toddlers finding and playing with guns. And there is no way that someone who was interviewed and watched by the FBI for ties to terrorism should have been able to easily buy an a weapon.

Going to be spending some time at a cottage on the very north end of Couchiching in early July. Going to have a 14' tinner with us, wondering if anyone familiar with the lake could provide some info. Looking for 2 things in particular: 1. I understand that the lake can kick up on windy days and can be shallow in spots. Any other navigation hazards to be aware of? I'm thinking I'm going to try to be on the water in the mornings and evenings to try to avoid the wind and traffic. 2. There will be a few youngins with us, any techniques that can be recommended that don't require a lot of casting but have potential for them to hook into something larger than a sunfish? Worm harnesses would be my go-to here, but if it's shallow and weedy it may be tough to avoid the sunfish with live bait. Trolling minnow baits gives me visions of trebles in my finger (been there, done that), jigs may be a hassle in the weeds. Not looking for any secret spots, but if you don't wish to share publicly feel free to PM me.

Found some info on it: http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13031 French made multiplier fly reel. Dang. Manitou beat me to it.

If you ever find any with the name "Vom Hofe" snap them up. I missed some on Kijiji a while ago that I'm still kicking myself over.

Brings a new meaning to pistol grip.... I like it but I don't think I'd want to carry it around all day. Most likely would have been paired with steel or solid fiberglass rod. Either a broomstick or nice and whippy.

Because they make more money when they pollute, and aren't afraid to give the rest of the world the finger while doing it.

Do you think Queen's Park cares about either? As long as the emissions are somewhere else than Ontario they can claim to be green. And are they really in touch with the people who will be hit hardest by energy price increases?

Climate change is a fact. How much an effect we have on climate change is debatable though. To make a real change in emissions the economics need to make sense. Because that's the only thing that will make countries like India and China to pay attention and move in that direction. Otherwise we're just chasing the wind. When governments try to regulate changes it can go well, but not like this. Montreal protocol with phasing out of harmful refrigerants? Worked by working with manufacturers. Forcing changes via legislation before technology is available? No thanks. Just a waste of taxpayer money.

Typical shock gobbly-gook from someone who is hoping that the viewers won't dig to deep. Fear mongering is right. Poison Expert -> more like herbicide expert. But that doesn't have the same ring. Might as well call a butcher a Death Expert. Sure, it's poison, but you don't get rid of weeds by asking them to leave. It's very easy to say that we need to get rid of all round-up ready and GMO plants and go back to organic. That's great if you live in a first world country and make enough money to afford expensive food. Because without GMO's our crop yield goes way down, world hunger increases, and prices go up. Less food, same demand. Can we all stand to eat a bit better? Sure - eat less processed food, buy raw ingredients and make it yourself. Processing the food will have much more affect on your body than the modifications that are done to increase yield.

I prefer a weight forward floating 7, with a stiff mono leader.....

That's the one! Love that pattern.

Where did that piece of spalted maple you have go? That was one of the best looking seats I have ever seen.

Have you watched the GeoBass videos with these same guys? They get into some pretty crazy adventures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usWrJ8qy5lY

I am not opposed to the wind turbines or solar panels, as Old Ironmaker says there are plenty of both out here. What does get me angry though is the subsidized rate that is payed for that hydro. I think it's great when governments support research and development projects, but to subsidize the market so that the technology becomes feasible is ridiculous. Shutting down existing generating stations that provide reliable and cheap electricity and forcing 'green' energy down our throats is garbage.

Swung through this morning. Got a deal on a rod blank and a combo for my boy. Thanks to the guys running the casting pond, he had a lot of fun.

That's signature material. I'm going to counter with a triple bacon threat, but I'm not sure it's enough to out do a dunking. The greatest danger I was in was from grease stains....

My only response to that is .... bacon.