SlowPoke

My best Pike of the year... 38" on 7lb spinnerbait My best Muskie... 46" on a "smellin fishy mystery lure"

Way to spoil it for everyone mepps... who would want to post anything after your monsters!

Thanks for everyone's input. I've decided on a Yard Machine by MTD http://tinyurl.com/y84jm2 $897.30 Total after discount $125.62 GST/PST ========= $1022.92 ---from the website--- 10HP Tehcumseh 28in. clearing path Powered by a Tecumseh 4-cycle engine with mechanical governor and compression release for quick cold starts and constant power Sno Hog 15in. tires provide increased traction in all snow conditions Convenient push-button electric start with recoil backup 12in. impeller 21in. intake height 5in. wide adjustable polymer chute with 180° rotation make snow removal fast and easy Drive system has 6 forward and 2 backward speeds Includes chute clearing device Comes fully assembled with oil in engine ------------------------

It's okay, that snow is strapped to the roof rack and I am delivering it to your driveway! He replied regarding my wife doing the shovelling "Do you hire her out?" We're currently in negotiations. Thanks Dustin, 4 second shutter (no flash) and a cold steady hand! Thanks Raf, It's a 4.5" Rustys lift with leaf packs and 31" Goodyear MTR's The Jeep is for sale in case anyone is interested. I guess I can't advertise "never winter driven" Our street was flooded last week from a storm sewer backup after the rain.. the water was making it's way up the slope of our street to my psycho neighbours driveway when the city came and sucked the sewer clean. I have comfort in knowing that sewer is clean for the coming melt!

I had green grass this morning when I went to bed. When I woke up this afternoon we had an inch or two of snow. Went to work at 4:30 PM and it started coming down pretty good. Headed out on the highway and it got ugly, really ugly. There was an accident in Ingersol (20KM East of London) involving some trucks... (MrEh, I hope your driver was alright) Once I was east of Woodstock everything was clear. Headed back for London and it got ugly again. Made my way back to the yard and helped a few people on the way home to find my wife shovelling the driveway for the third time this evening. (I'm a lucky man) Parked the van and fired up the Jeep! Began clearing some snow Onto the road and off to Timmies to get a treat for my wife. Stopped by the kids school on the way... going to email the principal "What do you mean snowday? we made it here!" All this snow in the last 7 hours and it's still coming down hard. I'd say by the "snow-on-the-bbq-meter" that we're at about 30" now with no wind or drifting. That's it for now... might head back out in the Jeep for some do-gooding -Brian

Born in Ottawa->Montreal->Oakville->Burlington->London Next move will be the last, on water or something out of town. Either way, I don't want neighbours. I have psycho neighbour. He shovels his lawn. Onto my driveway. -Brian

I don't feel so bad now, I'm not the only tacklehound. I got a few great deals on eBay too. Lures 30+ New Rapalas, mostly HJ and XRaps on eBay from a guy that lived a few blocks from me $100 30+ New Trolling spoons (stinger style) from a buddy in Windsor $100 37 Mostly used muskie lures off eBay + Daiwa LC Reel $91 2 or 3 lures everytime I went fishing $priceless Rods Shimano Convergance 6'6" M/F Spinning - $31 Canadian Tire St. Croix Triumph Muskie 7' MH/F Casting - $99 Lambeth Rod and Tackle Reels Shimano Spirex 2000 (new) eBay $35 Shimano Corsair 400 (used) $20 Shimano TR200G (new) eBay $52 Shimano TR200G (used) eBay $21 Penn 209 (new) eBay $31 Shimano Curado 200DHSV (scratched display model) eBay $108 Daiwa 47LC (used) came with the 37 muskie lures on eBay all for $91 Other Big warm snowboots - $35 Sears Garmin GPSMap 76 - $176 Canadian Tire Advanced Anglers Pro Series Super Magnum Tackle Bag - Cabelas $99 Terminal Tackle, flouro leaders, trays, braid, snubbers, dipsys $don't wanna know In case someone wants to send me a Christmas present, I still need: Boat, Sled, ATV and a bigger tow vehicle Okuma roller rods x2 for my Penns St. Croix Avid 6'6" MH/F casting rod for my Curado St. Croix Premier Muskie Trolling rods x2 Winning lottery ticket (Size XXXL) -Brian

I been doing well thanks, sent you a PM. -Brian

If you're going to go with non-brand names, check out eBay... some killer deals... watch for shipping costs... pay by PayPal for buyer protection. http://tinyurl.com/smnxf -Brian

Hey Jeff, I haven't seen you in a while! Out marking your holes this morning? Don't forget that secret hardwater lure you were testing this summer... it's bound to bring in the big perch this winter! -Brian

Terry, thanks for the reply. Hey Mo, your repair place should be able to test the power supply in about ten seconds. You don't need a functional mo-bo to check it. Swapping in a new mo-bo is easy provided it is identical to the one you're replacing otherwise the computer will not know how to handle the new hardware. A different mo-bo would require booting to the windows cd and re-installing the operating system. Your repair place is correct that it may not be worth replacing the mo-bo if a compatable board can't be found. In my case I require a "socket 478" motherboard... this socket is what your processor plugs into. If I were unable to find a socket 478 board I would have to upgrade rendering my processor and most likely my memory useless. Thus in essence, building a new computer. If your computer is more than 2 years old, it's likely not cost effective to repair it. You may be able to salvage the hard drive and video card, but not in all cases. They keep building a "better" mouse trap. -Brian

setomonkey: it is under manufacturers warranty but the supplier only offers 1 year. In other words, I pay the shipping and labour for re/re. It would be cheaper to go the warranty route but it could take a month - maybe more with holidays. terry: thanks for the link, have you dealt with this company? It worries me when they say; Price: $111.18 CDN Status: In Stock (will ship as soon as possible) I shouldn't be so paranoid but I'm still waiting for an order of reel parts from BC that said the same thing on thier website ... I ordered in October and they won't return my emails or calls. That reminds me, I should go to PayPal and initiate a claim.

Hey folks, My moherboard packed it in and I'm looking for a replacement. If I can find the same model it should be an easy swap... trouble is, I can't find one. Looking for an ASUS P4P800SE Board is still under warrenty... anybody ever deal with ASUS? Any help is appreciated -Brian

... or a bucktail on the stern!

Hey Lew, The long term forecast is looking good for St. Clair... I'm not putting my gear away just yet! -Brian

Thanks for keeping an eye out. I am leaning towards the 8HP MTD at Walmart for $997 because we get a 10% discount but I haven't ruled anything out. I'll take a run over to Home Depot (and risk something falling on me) to have a look at the Murray Pro's. I have been told to stay with the Tecumseh engine because since Briggs & Stratton has part availability issues after five years. -Brian

My wifes uncle has a 150 ficht pushing a 196 Princecraft... I believe it's a 2000 package. When it runs, it runs great but there is a reason he has a 25 Merc 4 stroke kicker. The ficht has left him stranded more than once on Simcoe (no start). The '03 Merc hasn't been great either (hard cold start). The ficht also had a wiring problem, shorting out between the battery and ignition switch which is probably a Princecraft rigging issue. It wasn't until this season that both motors have run well and I was quick to take credit for it... I winterized them last year His sailboat OMC engine crapped out however. I was also quick to point out that it was because he didn't have me winterize it -Brian

Lew, it's time to wash that slippery white muskie slime out of your boat. -Brian

Thanks for the input folks. I think you guys got the wrong idea when I mentioned my father in-law was in his 60's... I wasn't implying that he was weak and frail. I was implying that in 20 years or so this could be my machine so I want to get a good one! Truth is, he'll probably out-live me. For him, chopping wood is a hobby not a chore. So, at this point I'm considering no less than 8hp 26" self propelled, electric start. What brand should I be looking at? Best value for $1000 -Brian

I've been saddled with the task of picking out a snow blower for my father-in-law. I have a $1000 budget for 100'x10' gravel/grass driveway near Owen Sound. He is in his 60's. What brands should I look for? stay away from? What size? hp/width What conveniences should I be thinking of when choosing it? Thanks in advance, -Brian

As I browse through the Canadian Tire flyer.... they have "Sub-Zero" portables on sale this week... http://tinyurl.com/y6hm37 Dunno if they're any good

If I was equipping a new bass boat I'd opt for the opti. Spend the difference on the best bow-mount setup you can afford. I don't see you benefitting from a four stroke for your style of fishing and it may hurt resale value. Whether it's true or not, four strokes are labled as being non-performers; heavy, slow out of the hole etc. I don't think this is the case in every brand or configuration but the stigma still exists. -Brian

http://tinyurl.com/ya9eqs

My photos were taken on a Sony F717 5MP... nice camara in its day but no comparison to the DSLR's of today (at the same price!) -Brian