Radnine

This no doubt gets covered every year, but for the new people to boat ownership what is required to get it back into the water? I removed the batteries and put them in a warm place all winter. Will they need re-charging before use? If so, will the on-board charger suffice for the cranking and deep cycle batteries? What about any anti-freeze that was put into the live well or bilge, will it need to be drained outside of a body of water or can you just run lake water through the system to flush it (is the anti-freeze biodegradable?)? And the fogged motor and stabilized fuel, do you just turn the key and go (can you believe I aced the boater card test? )? Thanks in advance, Jim

Which Big Creek?

OK, as a guy who hopes to make more posts that have fish pictures (and a guy that has never posed with a pike), I need some help here. What exactly is wrong with the way it was handled? Is he squeezing too tight? Will the grass and sticks clinging to the slime kill her? While were on the subject, is it still alright to lip a bass? And, does anyone have any links to safe fish handling video? Thanks, Jim

When I was a kid we went to an Expos game at Jerry Park (talk about dating myself, saw Rusty Staub play) and I got this 14" long model of a Louisville Slugger. At it's largest diameter it's about 1" and made of hardwood. It is the perfect fish bonker. I can't think of much quicker or more humane way for a fish to go (unless he sees it and has time to think "Oh Christ, he's going to hit me with that mini-bat from Jerry Park!") Jim

Yea, I think it's pretty solid. It was not dead cheap but it should last and I new it would fit right out of the box. To put a bow on this, the other boat in the picture is a 16' Sylvan tinny with a 25 - 4 stroke. The location is my neighbour's garage/storage building. She was kind enough to let me store it there gratis, and another friend of hers caught wind of it and threw his in there as well (I cut her grass all summer, literally not figuratively, for those that worry that I'm taking advantage ). It is super handy having it next door and the facility was perfect. For those looking for something like this (Buckhorn PM sent) I looked around like a loonie for something that would fit and was unsuccessful until I saw them come in on the new 2009 boats. Talked to my dealer and he made it happen. It was way easier than searching and searching. Best wishes to all, it won't be long now!!! Jim

I'm not going to tell you until you change your avatar to something that doesn't keep me up at night. Jim

PM sent

You know what? It's an honour to know guys like you all. Jim

I picked up one of these for the boat. It has about 6" of adjustment. The concave back fits nicely into the small of your back. And it goes low enough to sit on if desired (with feeties on the gunwale). The reason I wanted it though is because it has a considerably smaller footprint than the standard seats (as demonstrated here) and I was finding last year that I often felt that I had to wrestle the seat to make it up to the trolling motor or anchor. Jim

You have a point there Woodsy. I do all sorts of "indirect cooking" on my Weber which essentially means using your BBQ as an outdoor oven. When I smell the lighter fluid and the charcoal my senses send me back to childhood, and I love it. That being said, I am not well organized enough to use an old-fashioned type of que. More power to you though We own a Weber that we paid about $800 for about 8 years ago and have not put a nickle into it since. It cooks like a dream (well, I cook like a dream, it just sits there) and is showing no signs of slowing down. Bar-B-Ques are one of the few remaining things that are made in Canada (I think my Weber was made in the States) and you raise a valid concern about patriotic buying vs. taking money off the family table. I am sort of playing the same thing out with the rod that I want to buy. Do I save about $25 on the St. Croix Triumph (made in China) or buy the Premier (more or less same rod different country of manufacture). It might be time for those that can, to man up and buy local where possible. In the end really, patriotic buying may be the only control we have over our situation. Thus endith the sermon. Jim

You're asking us? Were from southern Ontario, what do we know about hockey.

My usual question, has anyone found any coupons for the show yet (other than the recipient of TJ's kindness). Jim

You should skip that and go see a hockey game! Jim

Congratulations!! A great score. This is like the kid who dreams of flying landing his first job as a ramp rat (aviation reference for Wayne). Like the guys said, take lots of pictures and remember to keep copies of any favourable press from guests or employers, for your portfolio. Enjoy!! Jim

Well said, and all anyone needs to know Jim

Yah, TJ doesn't charge by the word. How 'bout some details?

What goes around comes around indeed. You have a terrific opportunity to show this fellow what your day is like and what goes into a decision to leave a torn bag of poop in someones driveway. Perhaps when he sees how hard you work and what a sweetheart you are he will not be so quick to file a complaint (the next time you leave a bag of excrement in his driveway). Have a good one! Jim

I think that I am going on Friday. My son and I will likely take the go train. It is the closest thing to a March break activity that we have planned and the train ride will likely be as big a thrill as anything that he will encounter at the show. I am hoping to put together two walleye rigs for this coming year. So I am looking for two med. light 6'6" fast or ex. fast and looking to couple them up with a 1500 size reel (likely Daiwa Exceler, I like them and have three already). So I will be looking for a deal on those items. Hope to run into some OFC'rs while there. Jim

In theory at least, the 400 million will provide jobs and people with jobs get mortgages. In other words this is the "infrastructure" type spending that is talked about (meaning spending to create jobs). Make no mistake, I think this entire financial thing is a fabrication for someones benefit (See AIG payouts this morning) but someone has to manufacture these things and that means jobs. Jim

Throw a camo tarp over that and you've got a blind (ice fishing hut, tent, whatever). Nice use of transferable skills. Jim

Congratulations!!!!! I still look at mine every day with a sense of wonder and disbelief that I could have a hand in creating such a miracle. Way to go! Jim

I just got my hair cut and the barber that I stopped at (not my regular guy) told me about how he catches a couple of Muskie every year while fishing for Walleye on Pidgeon Lake. Great guy by the way. Jim

That says it all right there. Welcome to you both. Jim

I'm guessing you don't work at Stelco. Jim

I am sorry to hear that Bernie. Jim