icefisherman

Good thing I just bought the original Matrix 380. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

As with anything Wayne does this one is well thought of and executed. My setup for the mast is similar. Cant find the pictures now but can make some and post them if you need them. Same location but I rarely use my trolling motor so I've drilled and threaded 4 holes into the trolling motor base plate and screwed it that way. Like it as I didn't like drilling extra holes into that triangle piece of plywood. I've see those quick retrieve cords on another friend's boat last season, so I'll be adding them to mine. Same ones OI use for my riggers retrieval. Make is much easier instead of climbing on the bow every time you need to use the boards. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

I knew I can count on good input guys...appreciate it and keep it coming....few clarifications... I'll probably start with a crossbow...no need to wait for the PAL and no time for extensive practice with compound... A friend (a very kind one) has invited me to go with him. I think he is using private land he's been granted access to...He'll lend me a crossbow I can use until I decide what to buy...He already got 2 deer so I know I have a very good coach ;-) At the start I'll be mostly fishing Southern ON...I hear you cannot use rifles here so as soon as the PAL arrives will probably be buying 12 gauge shot gun...after advice by few people I narrowed it down to: - Mossberg 530 or 535 ...both the triple combo versions or - Remington 870 Express triple combo version (what I really like is the 870 Wingmaster in triple combo version but I understand it doesn't come in such a package) Opinions on one vs. the other? 0n the Bows....was told Excalibur is good and local Canadian with good warranty....but hear that Ten Point bows are even better though a bit more expensive....that is why I was asking where can I find good heavily discounted deals on this stuff. Do I use my own/existing winter cloths and just buy not very tick camo jacket and pants to cover? Due to the short timeline I have there will not be much time for practicing. I hope to find good deals on what I need during upcoming gun/sports shows in the winter and will be borrowing most of what my immediate needs are so I can get a chance of getting my first deer... What to hunt - deer to start...turkey...ducks...rabbits...grouse and am trying to start the ball rolling on taking part in a camp for next year moose season....I know quite ambitious program but with good friends anything can be done...they've been bugging me to become a hunter for the past 4-5 years and my main reason for procrastinating for so long was where/with whom will I be hunting to start....so I do count on them a lot...fishing has been great in building friendships with like minded people...can't thank them enough. Where to hunt....in addition to going with friends in their territories I am trying to talk to local farmers close to the our family or to our friends families...hope some agree to let me hunt their properties... So this is kind of the "big plan" ...have to start putting it in motion as the season is almost here ;-) Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Well Terry there were couple 12 year olds at the course and they passed the two exams so they'll be shooting before I do with their parents I am sure Mine are younger so I'll just take them with me to watch first. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Well, after procrastinating for ever I've finally decided to take the jump and become a hunter. Did the courses, sent for PAL, bought the ON hunting card, small game license and deer tag. Waiting on the Turkey DVD to arrive so I can do that exam as well....will start bow hunting while waiting for the PAL to arrive. Need advice on what equipment to buy and where I can get good deals. Doing a lot of reading and talking to friends who know more about the hunting sport but I am sure many of you can add their own views on the subject...camo clothes...guns...bow...gun cabinet and I am sure many other things I'll need to buy....I hear it is a more expensive hobby than fishing so better be careful to make sure I don't regret buying the wrong equipment. Any and all comments are welcome! Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Started at 7:30....with a friend of mine....2 riggers and 2 dipsy lines...should have left the dipsy at home not a touch all day.....all fish came on riggers....finished 10/13 with one Atlantic in the mix (second for my boat this season)...it was strange fish...deformation on bottom and top side of the mouth with holes above and bellow....not sure how this fish was feeding...anyhow let it go hope it survives.... Several big bows and one teen king the rest smaller fish.... 200-250 fow...water is all messed up.....again...this season...difference from top to bottom is only 4-5 degrees.... depending on location it was 55 degrees down 80 - 100 feet...crazy for sure....it was great day...some rollers but not bad at all...all fish on spoons nothing on flies...cheaters got fish too....70-75 feet down got most fish.... Keep saying one last trip but if weather keeps being nice who knows maybe few more ;D Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Decided to try the West end of Lake O. this morning....fish cooperated...22/31 most bows with some kings and couple cohos....mostly spoon bite....some flies bite first thing in the morning but it stopped an hour later....bright shiny spoons did best...on top the pink panties and hog wild....130-240 fow, 20-40 feet down...had to search for warmer water ....90% of the hits on riggers many on cheater....only few on the dipsies. Hooked into someone broken 8 colors leadcore line and brought it in with a nice spoon at the end of it....tried the spoon on my rigger rod and bam huge bow came to say hi ha ha busy time for sure so no much time for pictures but here are couple.,... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Nice eyes Bud. What part of lake Erie did you fish/launch from? Seems eyes season is here. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Just came back from Bronte Outdoors in Mississauga. Bought some stuff and spoke to Frank for a few minutes discussing his Mississauga location and the old one in Bronte. He is not very happy where he is now and will be moving again to Port Credit at the end of this month. Just West of Credit River and few minutes away from the launch there. So it looks we'll have more bait shops close to the launch...good for all of us. Thought I should share it. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Took the boys with me and did a half day trip down to Port Credit. Started slow for the first 2 hrs but picked up after that...still not the normal hot bite we have this time of the season but this is not normal season to begin with.... Anyhow....7/12 today....half/half Kings and Cohos...no bows today...52-53 degrees surface, 48-49 down 40 feet. 2 big twins at 23 Lbs each....few smaller cohos and kings. All but one fish all came on the wire dipsy with fly.... As I was about to leave and only had one rigger rod in the water bammmm...zinnngggggg....the second 23 lbs-er hit on a spoon....Nice low wind...some flies but not too bad...lots of boats out there but radio chatter was telling me most had tough day. Fish are shallow....and not many of them in one spot....pick one here...another there...even circling the same area doesn't produce more fish.... Hope for more stable weather....finally as the season is not in the right track so far. Few shots from the day...Kids were working together but still struggling to keep the big king off the floor for couple seconds so I can snap the picture. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Went to check them out today...found some but not many...need one more week I'd say... But here is what else I found.... Is that wild leeks? Are they edible? How do you prepare them? And there were lots of those pretty flowers...what are they called? Cheers, Ice Fisherman

I picked bunch last year this time for the first time....not sure what I did wrong but they got very mushy and soft after boiling them....we still eat them but from the pictures I've seen it seems I might have overcooked them or something? Will go and check them in the next few days...hope I can find a good recipe in the meantime. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

8 years so far on both my DieHard batteries....still going as good as new... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Thanks again Wayne. Just got home...it was a loooooooong but good and satisfying day....boat is fixed fish is cleaned and in the freezer...Arnie is happy too...kids never stopped talking about your planes and every time one passed overhead while fishing today they kept saying here is Wayne flying over.... Same nice guy I remember from BOQ and from Temagami years ago...bit older but so am I ha ha....always ready to lend helping hand to a poor soul like me in need. Got to do something about the purple rivet ha ha ha....or I may keep it for good luck ;-) fish liked it today. Kids loved seeing so many airplanes in one spot and and just a hand away. And Wayne's truck got a free snow removal job....yes he still have plenty of snow around.....almost in May ;-) Have a feeling this is the last time this river gets touched....it was good call to drive the 2 hrs to Wayne instead of to the last place that "fixed it twice"...checked it while on the water today by touching he area and rivets from inside the battery compartment to see if I feel any drops of wetness...nothing...all dry...just as promised ;-))) so quite happy and sorry for bothering you so early on the weekend. Wish you all the best Wayne and hope to be able to return the kind gesture one day! Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Guys, I know Wayne well for number of years and I am definitely not interested in "playing around" as you put it. Trying to organize it with him as his offer is one I cannot pass. Thanks to every one for the comments. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Please send me again your number on the PM as I had it but am not sure where it is. Will call you ....no much choice but to try this weekend...maybe Saturday....can't look at the boat when it's like that.... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Yeah I read your post about coming to the city today last night but missed by few minutes....hmmmm...how can we do this.....over 2 hrs from home....same distance from me to the place that tried and couldn't fix it permanently twice.... When are you available? Even better question....how about meeting at the spot you just saw in your PM? LOL Still 2 hrs for me but we can use the time better that way if you knwo what I mean ha ha Can we fix it on the parking lot and do immediate real life testing ;-) Cheers, Emil

Haven't checked while in water but pretty sure it is... I just wanted fixed for good once and forever as I got tired of this particular rivet....so even a case or two of Guinness is small price to pay to get Wayne close to the boat ;-)lol Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Let me see what that is first hahaha seriously....this is why I love all the Irish guys... straight to the point ;-) I think it might be easier if I pay you to come this way Jokes aside...I do need to fix it ASAP as .....well....see you PM's ;-))) Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Wayne, here is a picture I took this afternoon of the rivet in question. from outside: from inside and under the left console: Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Wayne, Appreciate your interest as I know you are an expert in those things. Here is a picture taken before last years replacement... and here is one I just took now...not very good uality as it is dark in the garage and did it with the cell Sorry I said earlier it is the highest one of the three....it is actually the lowest of the three...my mistake... I'll do a better picture tomorrow and post it...and will try to take one from under the left console....it'll be tough to do a good picture there though as it'll has almost no light....will try anyways... Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Wayne, the rivet is the highest of the three located vertically against the left console....for some reason the bottom two hold perfect but this third/highest one is giving me problems every year. Like I said it was already replaced twice (last year and the year before) and I need to do it again as it is moving when I push it with my finger. The rivet is in its place right now but moving.....It is not touching anything on the outside and I think it is The same on the inside. Hope this gives a better idea. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Got it thank you. Corrected. Cheers, Ice Fisherman

OK Sorry...rivet of course...can't edit the title now... This particular one is a tough one...had a marine shop replacing it twice already this will be a third time. I can take it there again...but ...first it is too far from me and second I'd like to try someone else and hope for better result....So I'd rather have an expert do it...and yes it has access from both sides....but for some reason doesn't stay in place for more than an year. So anyone on the West side? Cheers, Ice Fisherman

Hi Guys, can anyone recommend a place that can replace one rivet for me? Preferably in Mississauga/Oakville/Brampton/Milton/Burlington areas. Thanks, Cheers, Ice Fisherman