Radnine

Bill, your kidding right? How many rebuilding years have we been through? I think even the Leafs don't use that term anymore because they have worn it out. Steelheaders, sheesh

What a fantastic report!! I mean it, wow. It is reports like this that make me wish that my brother wasn't such a tool (actually he is a good guy that would probably like me to call him up and take him fishing. Hey, wait a tick, maybe it's me that is the tool. Man, I hate this report) Jim PS. WHAT A PIKE!!!!

I guess the fishing/boating/cottage thing set in with me when I would go to Bobcaygeon with my buddy Mike's family. I have written about it before on here so I will save all of you the gushy romanticized details. But some of my fondest life memories are of the those trips with them. Later when we were older, my buddies and I would go on our own and rent cottages to fish, but would mainly drink and play cards. I mean, we would fish, but looking back it was no wonder that we never caught anything. But my recent complete immersion into the sport was inspired by the relationship between my brother-in-law and his son, and the relationship that I hope to have with my son. Since getting into fishing in a bigger way I have enjoyed many trips with my family, my brothers-in-law, and with just Will and I. And now when I go with the boys, we still drink and play cards, but we also catch some fish! Life is good. And this thread is great! Thanks for posting. Jim

Here are some snaps from my last four or five weekends (I have lost count). Jen has been down and out with the flu, but is starting to bounce back and is, as I write, as grumpy as a bear with a sore ass. In fact, I have just got crap for not asking if there is "something that I can do to help instead of fiddling around on the computer". So I had better make this quick. Today I flew from Brantford to Collingwood for breakfast. My pal Chris built this beauty of an aircraft. It is a Whitman Tailwind and it flies like a dream. It has been forever since I got some stick time so I was absolutely jacked. This is Will with Walter Gretzky. He signed about ten million autographs and hung in there from noon 'till into the evening. When I asked if I could get a photo he said "Sure!" and started to get up. I said "No, Will can come around there". He says "No, this will be better" and strikes the pose that you see here. It was clearly an effort for him to get up and down, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Think about how many times he did that in that time. He is awesome. The real beautiful thing is that my son (who is seven) never saw Gretzky play, but was still in awe while meeting his Dad. Last is a bit of a trip to Rice a few weeks ago. This was my home for the weekend. above the boat house at Springbank Camp. Walleye that Dustin and I caught while trolling with Wally Divers near a certain island where the hunters were banging away like a broken shutter. They were enjoyed that evening with Kraft Dinner, fried potatoes, Cronzy's, and cold beer. This one I pulled in on Sunday morning while drifting and casting the same Wally Diver (kind of chartreuse with a pink tip) I had trolled with the day before. He came home with me. Hope that all is well with all of you! Jim

Here is Darth Vader posing with ours. Jim

I agree, they have looked much better as of late. Buffalo looked completely awful last night which is a bummer because I have watched a couple of their games this year and they have looked like they were flying out there. I was looking forward to them skating circles around the Leafs and it didn't happen. The Leafs are starting to look like that team that will finish tenth or eleventh again. Brian Burke just looks dumb. I will also say again that I felt like I was watching Leafs TV instead of a stand-alone network. Joe Bowen knows what side his bread is buttered on for sure. Evertime the Leafs carry it across the blue line without going offside warrants a "holy mackinaw!!" from Joe. Jim

Never mind lures at Wallyworld, has anyone stopped in at Epp's lately? Fully stocked and unbelievable prices. I picked two Walley Divers for 4.49 each, they are over $8.00 at Canadian Tire. Bags of YUM grubs and worms in the $4.00 range. I couldn't believe what I was seeing (this was two weeks ago, lots of stock). Jim PS. regarding Tim's, take a thurmos from home if you like and let others do as they see fit. It kills me though, that people would go on strike to make $35 more a month but don't think twice about dropping that much and more on their "Timmies" every work day. But to each his own (and get thee to Epp's)

I drew unemployment once, and flies after leaving fish guts in the back of the boat. But I think your wife and daughter's works might be better than that! Jim

It sounds like Sec. G7 on Zorgon has at least one very clever resident. Jim

"Scuttlebutt Dodge" Can you picture it or what?(19' max. class "C" to keep it manageable) Jim

I have not. Thanks Jocko, I'll look into it. Jim

I mislead you a bit Jocko, the cottage was $200 for two nights. So right away I could cut my expenses by just staying one night. Thanks to all for the great responses; Splash for the great links, and Holdfast for taking the time to post the photos. I guess it comes down to the fact that I am a frustrated cottage non-owner. I want a cottage for all of the wonderful things that it brings but am having trouble justifying paying for one (it, them). And at the same time I realize that I am enjoying the cottages I rent for a fraction of the cost of owning one. The idea of camping in a reasonable amount of comfort seems to have set in with me and doesn't appear to be leaving anytime soon. The thought of a Scuttlebutt Lodge on wheels for Will and I is one that will haunt me until I act on it. A class B camper at a ridiculously good price may end up being my answer yet, we'll see. Thanks again guys. I will let you know how it all turns out. Jim

I was wondering what you guys generally do as far as staying or not staying at a fishing outing. I recently went to Rice Lake for some walleye. I looked and looked for someone to share the cottage and the expenses with and ended up going on my own and paying the shot. My nephew on the other hand leaves his house at 4:30 am and is at Rice before 7:00. He fishes with me all day, we eat our catch in my rented cottage, then he leaves after two periods of the hockey game and drives back to Hamilton at 9:30 at night. My cost for the cottage: $200, his cost for the day: Bugger all. Now, I could not do what he did. Partially cause I like the whole thing around staying in a cottage (the more rustic and fish camp like the better) and partially 'cause I am too lazy to jump through those kinds of hoops. But are there ways to lessen my costs? What do you guys do in similar situations? I am considering kitting my van out to make it so I could bunk out in it for the night, then I am wondering where I would park/sleep? Is tent camping a better way? Can I have my cake and eat it too? (meaning is it possible to enjoy the overnight without crazy costs?) I guess what I want to know are some tips for staying and playing without overpaying Thanks! Jim ps. I guess this is an addendum to my camper van question earlier. I have come to the conclusion that the money spent on a camper would buy me lots of cottage stays.

Safe travels Garry! Jim

First of all, thanks for all of your great suggestions. Okay guys, so lets say that I use a bottom bouncing type of set up, where does that Rapala go? I mean if I was trolling with a floating Rapala, it might go down 5' to 7', yes? So if I tie it to a bottom bouncer, which is dragging along the bottom, would the Rapala not drag along the bottom as well? Or will it float above the bottom? Am I missing something? Thanks, Jim

Agreed. But the amount of people that actually go to a leaf game are minimal compared to the rest of us that keep the machine alive. Stop watching on TV. That is the key. If CBC and TSN ratings tanked (even a bit) you'd have a new team in a year. Jim

Most sensible thing I have read thus far (with all due respect to all others) on this topic. I can't believe that there still are any fans. I mean we all watch because they are jammed down our throat every Saturday night by Leafs TV oops, I mean CBC. How come Don Cherry loves to show clips of himself predicting things that come true, but has never shown the clips where he says the Leafs will make the playoffs (and he does every year)? And is it written in the contract of the CBC that they must promote the Leafs? I mean to hear Craig Simpson ask Glen Healy "what do they need to do Glen (to pull this one out of the bag)?" When there is obviously no answer that anyone could possibly say, because the only real answer is "nothing". Watching the Leafs and all of the TV salesmanship that goes with them is an insult to everyones intelligence. But to play the "all they need to do is trade so-and-so", or, "if only Wendall were still here, etc." is nothing short of daft. Sorry Jim

Welcome back Lew! I am glad that the boat has worked out well for you. It sounds like a great summer of friends and family. It seems like all there is left to do is to head somewhere warm for the winter (once you call Muskie closed for the year). Jim

Thanks to all for the great info as always! Jim

Please to be telling me, what is a dipsy? Jim Edit: I looked up a dipsy at Caballa's. Thanks Bill, that might fit the bill. What about tying a lure onto a bottom bouncer or something like? Same effect? Jim

As daft as this may sound, I am wondering if there is a preferred way to make a Rapala type lure go deeper. I have a Cotton Cordell Wally diver that was catching them in 12 FOW two weeks ago and was wondering the best way to use the same lure but in the 25-30 FOW that they should be in this time of year (in a different body of water). And is there a formula or scientific system (meaning will 1/8 oz of weight get me "x" number of feet down)? Any thoughts? Thanks, Jim

Nice job. Congrats. Jim

Sounds like an enjoyable day! Thanks for sharing. Jim

I think that I am doing the hunters a favour by sticking to a traditional spot. The ducks fly over and say "Hey, there's a guy jigging for walleye, there must not be any hunters around" Then, blammo! Jim

I think that this is sound advice. Size (in this case) does matter. Jim