SlowPoke

Good report MtP but where is the classic fuzzy alarm clock picture? I love that!! Great job on the OFC sign too, I hope to see some fish beside that sign soon!

It was good Mike. Lots of boats to drual on. There seemed to be some nice boat deals. Tackle deals were okay. JB's had a huge selection of muskie baits and rods. Tightlines had a more varied selection and good prices. Angling Outfitters had a nice setup and I spoke with a Shimano rep/pro and she was terrific. I may go back tomorrow and pick up a Convergance Muskie Rod ($50) for my Corsair reel which would free up my St. Croix for either a Curado 300 ($249) or Calcutta 400 ($289). I walked out of the show with a Helly Hansen Delta suit and they threw in 5 spinner baits. If you're coming in for the show tomorrow stop by my place on the way in. (check your PM's) -Brian

TJ has some pretty advanced tracking software. When the software detects a string of characters involving p+a+y and a+d+v+e+r+t+i+s+i+n+g, it sends a signal to his alarm clock. My wife uses the same software that detects google inquiries involving the letters n+a+k+e+d -Brian

You'll adapt faster with quality equipment. I find that better equipment is more consistant and you only have to adjust your technique. With cheap equipment you have to comphensate for the reel's inconsisticy and you'll be hard presses to develop good technique. Getting the reel setup for different bait weights is dead easy, takes about half the time as it does to tie a knot.

They bought into his system so they didn't have to listen to him whine.

"We'll be there in mid-may... what do you guys take in your Timmies?"

A deal at twice the price. Thanks for the heads-up Dan -Brian

Couldn't happen to two more deserving teams... Lindy Ruff is a whining weasel. He sees a hit on one of his players and cries the blues. Everytime. It wasn't a dirty hit but it didn't have to be as punishing. Chris Neal is an opportunist, potential for injury is an afterthought with him. It's too bad, as much as I dislike him he has solid skills and doesn't have to be a dink to be effective... no-class weasel.

Maureen, It's possible that something has happened to the manager or (s)he is swamped with other issues etc. This happens fairly often to my wife... after confirming commitments there will be a lapse in communication causing stress and worry and at the last moment things come together. In fact this happened with Hot Dogs from Loblaws for a school fundraiser. It often happens with prize donations too. Fortunately she has never been stiffed and I hope the same for you. I get the feeling that thier contributions - as generous as they are in our eyes, may be reletivly insignificant to them and low priority. Meanwhile it's all you can think about while trying coordinate so many things for this event. I hope everything works out, keep trying to contact the manager. -Brian

.... on the water.

Hi Boatman, DISCLAIMER: I'm just a hobbyist but I went through the eenie-meenie-minee-moe's not too long ago. For the sub $1000 range it might be tight but not impossible. Renting versus buying the bottle will save you money in the short run. Solid brand names: Miller, Hobart, Lincoln.. all good machines. Welding equipment can be a Ford/Chevy/Dodge thing... some people have a favourite and the other(s) will suck. I bought a Lincoln because it came gas ready with guages, all I had to do was buy the bottle. This ended up being cheaper than Hobart. The Miller was out of my price range. I'm happy with my machine thus far. If money was no object I probably would have bought a Miller. They seem to be a little more performance minded even in thier home-owner/light duty machines. If you're looking for a daily production machine I would lean towards a Miller. A good welding supplier will hook you up with the right machine by asking the right questions... -Metel thicknesses to establish Amps required - I'm thinking you'll be in the 175-225 range -Your level of experiance and expectations and applications - This can determine what gas(es) and mix ratio you'll need -Budget Gas mixtures are puzzling as the same machine can be used for steel, aluminium and stainless steel but will require different gasses and ratios for best results. Welding aluminium will also require optional wire feed accessories. Lots of great information available: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/list.asp http://www.millerwelds.com/education/library.html My advice: Buy one of the big name brands listed above and get the model up from the one you need now. -Brian

Woody Allan and Bill Clinton

You could score it several times with a knife along a straight edge. Probably too tough to use scissors but tin snips would do. By the way, if this is for the OFC Tourney you may want to inquire if the old OFC tape is allowable. As I read the rules, they're asking for something saying ofncommunity.com. I'd hate to see you go to all the trouble if it's not acceptable. -Brian Edit: Ooooops.... this is probably for the Tyler event... nevermind LOL

whoa... I'm glad I wasn't the only one to see it! -Brian

Welcome aboard folks... we're up to 16 teams! It's not too late to join in, the more the better! Rank Team Points 1 Britmick's Bruisers 218 2 team walleyejigger 216 2 the_intimidators 216 4 SlowPoke 198 5 Pigeons Speed Freaks 190 6 DanC Bump Drafters 188 7 burntrubber 182 8 Motorhead 178 9 Trophy Muskie Chasers 174 10 ofn_smokey 166 11 ox's buckeye bass kicker 154 12 DansWildCats 148 13 SmokinJoeys 0 13 bigfish 0 15 daplumma 186 16 musky maddness motorsports 0

If you're buying a Garmin and want nautical software Cabela's has the BlueChart on sale now. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...sp?id=cat601399

Yay Joey!!

No, I usually toss them ahead of me to check for thin ice. Actually, I've never been ice fishing. To me, it's like fly fishing.... way down there on the fishing to-do list. I'll be going with my wife's uncle, he's a great guy and I love to pick his brain. I've had some of the best and most thought provoking conversations over the years with him. I'm looking for one. Specifically a Helly Hansen Delta in 3X. I tried on a 2X but I couldn't raise my arms without seriously injuring myself. I'm having trouble finding a store with a 3X in stock. I really want one to extend my soft water season but it'll come in handy for these impromtu hardwater invites too. -Brian

I'll be going, maybe twice. Not sure when but If I am there Sunday I will drop in Gary. Eyefish, I'll see you there at some point I'm sure. Does anybody know if I will be able to find a Helly Delta suit at the show? My local shop has size 2X but it's too short and probably not enough room for layering. I'm having trouble finding a 3X to try on. -Brian

I see a trend here 'let the big guy go first'... I AM THE BIG GUY!!! Is this why I get so many early and late season ice fishing invitations? At least I don't have to worry about falling in the hole like you skinny guys! Thanks everyone for your input, sounds like it should be fine out there. Anybody have some tackle tips? I have nothing for ice fishing but I do have a small ultralight spinning reel. What kind of rod should I put it on for lakers and whitefish? -Brian

Ohhhh did I take a beating with Stewart... glad I had Martin in my B Pool!!! Rank Team Points 1 Britmick's Bruisers 218 2 team walleyejigger 216 2 the_intimidators 216 4 SlowPoke 198 5 Pigeons Speed Freaks 190 6 DanC Bump Drafters 188 7 burntrubber 182 8 Motorhead 178 9 Trophy Muskie Chasers 174 10 ofn_smokey 166 11 ox's buckeye bass kicker 154 12 DansWildCats 148

Lap 1 is complete... my team is in the lead. Watch for lap by lap updates!! j/k Good luck folks! -Brian

I'm not asking for a crystal ball prediction but based on your experience at that time of year... I have been invited to go ice fishing on Simcoe March 9-10. I'm a hardwater newbie and I'm not willing to die for a couple of perch! What can I expect for ice conditions around Big Bay, Big Bear & Innisfil Beach? Hoping for lakers and whitefish, tackle suggestions? -Brian

Best wishes to Sheri on a quick recovery. There's no cure for the other driver, he'll be a ______ idiot for the rest of his life. -Brian

I have the base model GPSMap 76 and I'm impressed with it. Good battery life, easy to use, nice size screen and the only gripe would be needing an external antenna for in-vehicle use. The antenna issue might be commen amongst all hand helds, dunno, this is my first. If I place it on the dash with a view through the windshield it's fine but I have to pick it up to read it. As I understand it, the CSX is colour with more memory and some nifty extra features. -Brian