icefisherman

Picked the batteries from CT...according to them "nothing wrong with both and they are in very good condition"...they even showed me the readings...it actually reads more Amps than the battery says on the side....took them home...they sat for few hours....just measured them with voltmeter...12.35V on one and 12.53V on the other....will measure again in a week. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

No, I am not confident....hence we are discussing it here. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Interestingly enough Lew....I know exactly how it feels, hence my concern....the night in the middle of the lake with my then 2 year old son....8 years ago on my old boat....it was pleasant evening back then...but not a pleasant experience at all I agree with you there ;-) Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Alright....lets see what CT says tomorrow after double load test. But if they say again both batteries are good....should I go with them for another year? Will you Wayne? Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Right...but if they are fully charged...then disconnected from charger for say....week or more....and they still show 12V+ does that mean they are good and I could use them another year?> Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Yeah...they both showed me 12V+ ...I think about 12.32V or so....before I took them...and that was after they sat for a while in the boat since I last connected the charger to them. But then it bothers me one wasn't enough to start the big motors last fall...granted the big motor does use a lot of starting power but.... I use on of those CTek chargers and usually leave it all winter changing from one to the other battery couple times. Will try to measure again after I take them back tomorrow and see what they say....hope I can get someone who knows more about the charging part than that girl.... And yes I never shut both motors at the same time...old habit ;-) Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Hmmm I was hoping you'll comment Wayne...I could see the girl pushing buttons from a distance but can't tell what exactly was pushed and what it showed her....she came back and said both are good but not sure how much I can count on that for another season....on the other hand why spent $200-$300 if these are good. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

I have two Die Hard deep cycle batteries 10 years old. Greatest batteries I ever used. One of them gave me problems starting the main motor last fall on Erie....used jumping cables and started it from the other one....Decided back then I'll buy two new ones this spring but I've been charging them on the smart trickle charged all winter just to see what happens. When I check with my voltmeter they show 12V+. Took them to local Canadian Tire an hour ago to test them on their load battery tester....the girl there tested and said they are good...I questioned that, so she left them charging there overnight and will test again tomorrow and call me to go pick them up. My question is how reliable are those load battery testers? Last thing I want is to assume batteries are good go fishing and they don't start in the middle of lake O. or Lake Erie. Some people here know a lot about batteries...would appreciate your comments. Thanks, Ice Fisherman

Just few short hours this morning....conditions were pretty good until we left...cloudy skies helped... Meegs caught all fish this time again....just for fun tried the Vibrato one last time this season...nothing...not a bite....maybe I should sell it to recover my loss ha ha.... 5/7 final score....all natural fish....few shots from the day for your viewing pleasure. Not sure if I'll do one last time over next couple days....if some of my buddies twist badly my arms ha ha. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Costa, I did lot of research some years ago and went with CanaVac at the end. Based on reviews and now on own experience they are simply the best out there. Bought it from a guy in Kitchener and then send some of my firneds there so they bought from the same place as well. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

IMHO hiring charter is not worth it. Did it last year for the first time for a group from my company and customers. Only got few bites through the day and I believe there were just 4 fish per boat. We rented 3 big boats (2x40' and 1x60'). 8-10 people per boat. It cost the company lot of money and most people with no experience Salmon fishing were happy, which was the goal of the event but for me it's waste of money if your goal is to catch a lot of fish. In almost all cases based on my experience I catch more fish than the charters. And I just run 4-6 rods all summer on much smaller boat than theirs. My best advise is to go with a friend who knows what to do and where to fish. You'll likely get more fish, save your money and he'll be happy if you chip in for his gas. On the other hand if you are going on a charter just for the entertainment...go ahead. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Season is closing this weekend. So go get them. As far as ice....plenty of it everywhere...should last easily until season end. Maybe the shoreline could get slushy... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Haha Wayne....nope but I buy the lump charcoal by the truck load This reminds me I need to restock for this batch... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Took my older son with me today....this clock change thing messed us up and we got to the parking lot an hour too early/....walking wasn't bad, but today the sled was overloaded with the pop up hut, heater, chair etc. All for the comfort of my fishing buddy....good thing we took the hut though....weatherman was at lunch....or who knows where again...the predicted 15k wind increasing to 20 in afternoon....were more like 40k gusting to 50k....I just bought my Clam Vista pop up hut and this was my third time out with it and the worst wind conditions so far....it took us good 30 min to put it together and secure it properly using all 4 pegs....in fact I could have used 2 more if I had them...what a challenge....lost track how many times it collapsed on me while trying to peg it....my son did superb job holding it while risking to fly all the way to Pefferlaw with it at times....was well worth the exercise at the end as the wind started hauling big time and kept going for most of the day....fishing was slow....toughest day of the ice season so far....white fish must be on the move already....not many marked....ended up 3/5 with 2 lost at the hole....don't remember loosing fish at the hole using Meegs (never mind two) for years.... Biggest point of the day for us was my son's first white fish caught all by himself....no assistance from me.....from jigging...hooking...reeling..putting it in the hole...all by himself...I just help him taking it out of the hole....he was so proud of himself ....and I was even more so with him...we persisted and kept trying but eventually gave up on getting double limit...another first for me this season...to go home with less than a limit....did I say it was very tough bite ;-))....saw tens of people leaving empty handed.... 5 Conservation officers team and a dog were checking everyone.... Not sure yet but this may end up being my last trip for the ice season....if so it was a superb season.....with close to 100 white fish landed. What a nice stable fishery....many went back to get bigger for the May 15 opener... Couple shots from the day...all inside the hut as standing out was not nice at all.... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Well season is almost over...one more week to go before start getting the boat ready for the Kings... Was nice day walking wasn't bad...friends gave me a ride on the return...got buddy's daughter to semi-pro status after she got laker and a whitie....single fish showing...tough bite...barely touching the Meegs...had to work and change spots but at the end got limit by 8:30am. Ended up with 4 to the hole before having to leave early today....7 days left...should be able to do couple more trips... Few shots from today: Cheers, Ice Fisherman

I've been using 115 HP 2 stroke Suzuki for several years on my Lund. Great motor...never a single issue with it. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Yes Wayne, the tech support guy said the bigger 20 lbs tank is less affected of this phenomenon as it is higher pressure. But the small one needs to be able to contact with outside air to warm up as the propane inside boils at -43 degrees Celsius. This is the reason for the frost on the outside of the tank. I got about 4 hrs on low from my 1 lb refilled tank on Sat. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Just a quick report...all the same...final score 10/11 today...Meegs lures...having good friends with snowmobile makes all the difference in the world ;-) Had to work for them and be patient....only singles showing from time to time....Beauty day and my heater is working perfect finally figured it out based on what Mr. Buddy tech support told me on the phone...i.e. keep the tank warm and keep cleaning the frost from the working tank.... Couple pictures: Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Invited a good friend and co-worker with his daughter to see what Lake Simcoe ice fishing fun is. My buddy decided (against all my and few other people's advise) to drive his 2 wheel drive F150 on the ice....only lasted about 100 meters before getting stuck....managed to free him up and get him back on solid ground....from there back to plan B (the dreadful walk). Wasn't as bad as week ago but still not my favorite cup of tea...it was even less favorite to my buddy and his daughter....took them long time to get there and only lasted short of 2 hrs before heading back....oh well they were still happy to get couple whities. Tested my new Clam Vista today....very happy with it....even my Mr. Buddy heater started first thing in the morning but kids decided it is fun to throw snow on it while I was outside and killed it....never started again...as soon as I walk back home it started at the front door....it is starting to drive me crazy.... Anyhow...about the fishing....today's menu was slightly different...still Meegs but this time chartreuse color Few shots from the day: Cheers, Ice Fisherman

DB, not too sure how the team structure thing works and I am definitely not on any team. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

After quick recovery from Saturday punishment today was a breeze. Friend gave me and the boys ride on his snowmobile and what a difference it makes when you travel as a human to your spot instead of barely get there all exhausted. Even the -32 degrees didn't scare us. Coldest ever fishing day for me. We were counting on two heaters and two huts. For some reason the Mr. Heater I bought from a guy in Barrie couple weeks ago didn't want to start in the morning. Tried it over 100 times...in the beginning the pilot light was coming up but didn't want to fire up after that...when trying to light it up on low the pilot kept extinguishing....later on even the pilot didn't want to start... if anyone knows if those things can be repaired please let me know how to fix it...otherwise will need to go in the garbage. Paid $70 for it and only lasted 2 trips...... not happy with it...who knows why the guy sold it to me... The other heater in my buddy's hut worked fine so kids were kept comfy all morning. In the meantime I kept moving around drilling holes and barely marking any fish...the kids/buddy's hut though was marking from time to time...and slowly started getting them on the ice...Eventually I gave up on my scouting operation and went in their hut to warm up and get few whities myself. Had to work very hard for the last fish but eventually ended up with 4 limits and about 10 other bumps we missed. Toughest bite I had on the ice this season. We really had to work for them...only singles showing up and not always biting...well not every day is the same...Meegs again did all the damage but had to really fines the presentation, change tubes, lure size etc. Kids were happy, reeled in some fish was nice and sunny and even warmed up to about -15 when living. Not a bad way to spend family day.... Whities are in the brine waiting for the smoker in next couple days weather permitting. Few shots from the day: Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Haven't checked how the whities are doing on Simcoe for a week and was there bright and early this morning...thought I should take the one man flip over to protect me from the wind. As soon as I stepped on the ice I knew this was terrible decision....good 30 cm snow everywhere with some snow drifts double that. Pulling the heavy wide sled was not the easy task I was hoping it'll be....the damn thing was pushing the snow more than sliding on it....as a result I had to stop every 10-20 meters to catch up my breath and give a brake to my legs....was sweating like crazy too...after a while the knees didn't want to listen to me anymore and it felt as I was getting close to dropping in the snow and not been able to stand up after that...what normally takes 20 min walk took 2hrs 15min today....by the time I got to my spot, fishing was the last thing on my mind. I was trying to recover somewhat to normal condition...lets just say it took a loooong while...Good thing one of my buddies dad just arrived there with his snowmobile ....he pulled my sled for the last 20 meters and more importantly graciously gave me a ride back to shore. I don't think I would have made it back on my own...it was just way too much of a punishment....so sitting in the hut counting my blessings I decided this will be the last ice season I fish without a snow machine of some kind...dead or alive I am buying one before next ice season come.... Years ago I was doing 3-4 km walk one way....but it seems those years and that physical condition I was in are long gone...so to save myself some serious health problems I better invest in a machine. And for the rest of this season I'll try to go out only with someone who can be kind enough to give me a ride. Such a walk really takes out all the fun from the fishing trip.... Anyhow....quickly to the quick fishing....Meegs again all the way...lost one of my best ones as I didn't notice the heater burnt my leader...so down it went to the bottom....that didn't prevent me from getting my limit for just 15 min....then played another hour or so with few more whities and let them go...was so tired it felt like my bones are going to fall apart so I gladly took the offered ride back...what a difference....it only took few minutes instead of probably 3 more hours (if I was to be able to make it at all). So great thanks to my friend for the ride. Few tired shots of the fish today....even they felt my pain and didn't want to pose... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Not just me John, the whole family loves it and eats it 2-3 times a week. Just finished smoking this last batch....nothing better than smoked whitefish. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Today looked like the best weather day of the week so took the kids of school and headed for quick morning trip to Simcoe. Thw whitefish was were I left them last time and in the same good biting mood. The usual program i.e. Meegs lures did ALL the damage and ended up with 9/14 for the day. Got a nice herring as well today. First one after they open the season for them this year. Kids had fantastic time, got fish...played a lot on the ice, got tired...all in all not a bad day away from school. Now for the bad part....I am like most of you - don't like when people come and setup right next to me...when boat fishing even more when ice fishing....Lake Simcoe is a huge lake with tons of good spots....but some "fishermen" seem to be amputated of the simplest form of consideration for others... Couple weeks ago there was a woman on a snowmobile who came and ask me tons of questions re. fishing...I tried to help her and answer her in details. At that time she was fishing about 200 meters from me...so fine. When I got to my sport today I see a hut right next to my spot....ok..fine again....I moved a bit away from the hut....bit later wouldn't you know it that same woman shows up on her snowmobile and goes straight to the hut. Clear enough....she must have called on her phone as 30 min later about 6-7 of her buddies show up on snowmobiles and decide to setup about 20 feet from me...at that point I had enough crap....so I asked them "is the lake too small for them to find a spot" and "would they like to fish in one of my holes inside my hut instead of my kids". They didn't seem (or didn't want to) get the point and asked me what depth I am fishing....now....everyone has their own fuse but my burnt at that point. So I told them I have no idea what depth I am fishing, even though they can see the fishfinder I was using....and I told them to move away from me. No such luck....one of them said "buddy what are you bothered about, we haven't set up yet" and "you can only have 2 whitefish anyways"....anyhow...I made a point of showing them how impressed I am with their unbelievably inconsiderate behavior and ignored them after that. Sure enough they start drilling holes about 25-30 feet from my hole. It took them 10 min to drill 2 holes...I went inside the my hut and continued catching fish while kids went outside to play. Another 30 min later bammmm....another group of 4 comes with ATV's and proceed to setup 30 feet from me in the other direction. So now I am surrounded. The second group started cutting huge rectangular hole with a chainsaw making lots of noise. Not to mention the noise from dropping the hut on the ice, all the yelling etc. So, I had enough, told the kids to get ready and we left....with a sour taste in our mouth. All this episode was played right in front of my boys' eyes. Another good lesson for them today away from school. So what can I say....to all my forum friends (plenty of them) - please do not ask me any more for directions/spots/depth/location/strategy/etc. I will not provide such info to anyone aside of my very narrow group of personal friends that I fish regularly with. To everyone else who has no fault in this situation sorry but I'm going to change what I say and to whom. Didn't mind helping as many people as I can but this thing today really got into me. So enough from me. Here are some shots from the day....you'll see the jokers..got few shots of them too.... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

I am in the West side of GTA. Maybe too far for your guy? If you can send me his contacts I'll get in touch with him. If nothing else he might be able to give me some additional info or refer me to someone local who is good and trustworthy. But for that kind of price difference it is no brainer as you said. This company http://www.newsteelroofers.com/ seems to get high ratings from customer on http://homestars.com/ but I don't know them personally nor through someone who I know personally. Cheers, Ice Fisherman