Radnine

Do you think that, like in many things these days, we have evolved or out grown fishing shows? I mean there was a time when fishing shows and magazines were the only way to get information (and places like the Sportsman Show), now you can click on any website and see what things are like at a particular lodge for instance, rather than hoping that they replay that specific episode of Fish'n Canada. Also, we used to look forward to a Saturday morning fishing show line up and now can watch any episode at any time on any of a bazillion websites that host outdoor shows. Face it boys, we've plum grow'd up! Jim

Amen to this post (and his others). I don't know why people are so willing to stand by and watch the entire country earn $13.00/hour. Let alone cheer about it (Hooray! The teachers are getting knocked down a couple of pegs!!!!). Guess what, your life still sucks. The problem is that you can't even count on your kids having a better one than you did. Capitalism giveth, and capitalism taketh away. Sad. Jim

Congrats on the purchase!! Jim

Ask a teacher how pleased they are with their union right now. We were lead exactly to where the ministry wanted us to be from the get-go and now we are being told to resume extra-curriculars when nothing has been promised, resolved, or addressed. Watch for the former provincial executive to start working in a sweet Ministry of Ed. gig when they are voted out of office. The dues however, keep getting paid. I have to ask though, why someone making $100 a day is paying union dues to start with? Try to stop doing whatever you did, it will be cheaper. Jim

I have carpet, and love it. Yes it gets stains, so does my underwear. I wash it when it gets unbearable and will change it when required - the boats stays as is. Jim

I can see the argument for vinyl for sure, but why did they have to make it so ugly? The vinyl in the Crestliners are a weird beige with squiggles and dots. The other beauty about carpeting is that it covers defects in workmanship (for you Lund owners), keeps lids tight, etc. Congrats on the new purchase!! Jim

I have not fished Erie for perch yet, but on Simcoe it is always worms, usually drop shotted as described above. Don't ever mix lazy up with efficient! Jim

Want to put a bet on their level of education? $180 is almost two weeks worth of smokes! And, wait a second, they look too tall to be asian.......... Jim

Yes, and this is a big advertisement. To quote Brittany, "OOOPS! I did it again". Jim

I just bought a Komodo bait caster with a Citrix rod. So, no, I can't comment on your particular reel but I have been impressed with what I have used from Okuma thus far. My combination pulls a hookless daredevil through a snow encrusted back yard like no baitcaster that I have ever owned. Jim

I spend an inordinate amount of my disposable income at fishing stores and renting cottages from fishing resorts. I also spend lots of my spare time trying to get like minded individuals to spend their money with me. It has been my unfortunate finding that many clubs or associations formed around any topic of personal interest, are filled with ultra-maroons. Jim

I have been fortunate thus far and never have come across a fresh bad accident. In fact, I have never had to drive by a real bad one period. But when I do drive by a pile up, or a truck roll over, or any other cause of traffic delay, I usually wonder "What moron has caused this?" Jim

I am in Camblford for May 24 weekend (Crow Lake), Rice Lake (Springbank Camp) for the weekend after, a father-son trip at Springbank again on the June 15th weekend, Cameron Lake for a week toward the end of July, and a trip or two to Big Doe throughout the summer. Other than that, no. Jim

I know that I am forbidden from mentioning his name again, but there is a Fishful Thinking episode or two from that lodge. If you email Charlie (from the shows website) he will email you the details back. Jim

The show was just the same as it has always been. Great! Lots to see and people to talk to. The odd deal if that is what you are after (tax free at some places, etc). I don't really know what people are after - it is not 1962 anymore at the show or anywhere else. I am sure that reviews will be fantastic for the bargain bin crowd next weekend at the free parking and all the smokes you can smoke event known as the Spring Fishing and Low Budget Boating Show. Go, you won't be disappointed. Jim

Google "Ontario cottage rentals" or something like. You will get a bunch of sites that manage rentals for hundreds of private cottage owners. They are often listed by lake, or region, or price, etc. They usually direct you to the owners web page and are full of photos and lists of what to bring and what is included. They are invaluable and have landed us our best cottages over the past five years or so. Good luck, Jim.

Try 20 years!!!-so shut your pie-hole and quit barking up this tree!!! (wow, I get just as worked up about Charlie when I'm not hammered) Jim

This show has to be the worst outdoor program i have ever seen. Have spoken to Charlie? I am here to tell you that he will chat to you about what ever you like if you go to a boat show or a spring fishing or Sportsman show. Now, I realize that is not what your post is about (it is about his show) but if you talked to him you might realize what his show is based on, and that is fishing and doing want it takes to catch fish. Slight nuances and little changes that catch fish. Has anyone else told you about using Spin-N-Glo's instead of blades to make worm harnesses out of? No. I think that we have gotten used to a fat old man (or men) pulling in tiny walleye after tiny walleye without telling us beens about where they are (other than the lodge that is paying them) why they are there, and what they are using. Or why they are using it. Charlie does all of that. He is brilliant, and a terrific guy. Don't watch his show if you want not to, but it is not him that is the problem, it is you. (change the channel and shut your pie-hole) I am in the process of pairing up a new Komodo bait caster with a Citrix rod, based on Charlie's advise when asked at at recent show. You have barked up the wrong tree my friend. Jim

PM sent! And I will likely go next Saturday. Talk to Doug Heington from Proctor Marine at the Crestliner Booth, and one of the boys from Bay City Marine in the Lund booth. Jim

You're kidding right? And I'm the problem on this board? He lives in the Kawarthas, he fishes in the Kawarthas. In the Kawarthas you look to see where all of the boats are parked and you go fish there. It kills me that no one would have a problem with somebody posting to ask for relationship advice, or "should I get this mole checked by my doctor or not?" But don't post the name of one of the most popular and populated lakes in all of Ontario because someone might show up? Jesus, I've got to find something else to do. Jim

Same here. It took longer to read that thread than it has ever taken me to hook-up! Thanks for thinking that you are waaaaay better than the rest of us though!! I bet you post OOS photos, and hold Muskies the wrong way as well!!! Um.....can you tell I'm a little tired (read: drunk)? Where are Wayne, Roy, Terry, and Spiel, to tell me how to think.......Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson..... Boy, can you guys believe this weather? I went to a river to try steelheading and actually had a guy stand inside of my pants with me while I fished!! He was really nice, but every time I looked at him his face went all swirly and I could not tell where he was standing. I finished up just laying my rod and reel in the water, then taking a picture of it. Jim

I wear one all the time (a Mustang auto). The ONLY problem with them is that you forget to take them off once and a while and have to go searching for the bloody thing (usually hanging in the bedroom of the cottage). There is no reason to not have one on while in the boat IMHO, but remember that they have to be worn to count as an on-board PFD - having them stowed in the boat does not count if you get stopped by the MNR/OPP. As far as going off half-cocked, mine has misfired twice in four years - both times due to excessive moisture while I left them in the boat instead of bringing them in. The replacement do-dad is about $23 or so for mine. The much maligned Fishing World has the Helly Hanson autos on for $149 right now. Jim Modelled here by the lovely me!

I found this to be a good read. It doesn't really support either side of the discussion, but all six parts of the article are interesting. You know, if anyone feels like reading about a subject rather than single line sniping it. Jim http://cottagelife.com/40031/realestate/buying-real-estate/6-real-estate-trends-in-2011/1

As the gap between the have and have-nots widens how can cottages not drop in value? Cottages like any other commodity are only worth what people can, or are willing to pay for them (same goes for the stocks in your RRSP for 15 years down the road by the way, ouch). I think the original post was bang on, and why wouldn't a government that has seen 40% of it's tax base go off-shore consider selling some assets? My question is, to whom are they going to sell the land? Ontario's north could become affordable vacation property to the rapidly growing populations that have the jobs that we used to have here. As a country, I am not sure that we ever recovered from automation of our factories. I am sure that we wont recover from the globalization of them. (The connection, for those that think I am straying, being that these are the places that provided a place for regular folk to earn their part of the near north cottage pie)

It is good to hear from you Cudz! I hope that you are enjoying your break. Jim