Rattletrap2

Nice going on their part! Figures, the Marine unit said there was nothing they could do!

Lew, That sure is a beauty......but of course we expect no less from the Muskie Maestro! LOL

Clamp-it, Today's trades ARE Technology based. The days of a tradesman being a "wrench turner" or "grease monkey" are long gone. I'm sure there are some parts that are less technology based than others, but the Refrigeration trade today , including Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning are very technical in nature. Building Automation and Controls are very computer based. The whole "Green" concept is reverting a lot of our work back to science and things like photovoltaic, wind energy, etc. I don't think you meant it like this, but I always get a little peeved when someone says, "if you don't want to stay in school, get a trade!" I've spent the last 27 years taking courses and upgrading my knowledge while working. Now I am in "school" full time!

Nothing surprises me when it comes to folks on this board! Good stuff! Just a side note on trailers having a flat... 1) Be sure that your vehicle jack will also be suitable to lift the trailer. Some won't go low enough to get under the axle. 2) Make sure the lug wrench for the tow vehicle also fits the lug nuts on your trailer. Some are a different size and require a separate wrench. 3) Remember to also check the air pressure in the spare. They tend to leak slowly when not used for long periods of time. I am fanatical about tire pressure on the trailer! I also make it a habit to pull over (usually for coffee!) after an hour on the road to check the temperature of the bearing hubs and tires. I want to know if either is overheating before something blows!

I think your Friend has unfortunately run into a Lower Etobicoke nutcase! It is unfortunate that she was able to ruin their outing this way, but he probably did the right thing by removing his young son from this person. Anyone of any real authority would not possibly have acted in the manner that she did.

Pfleuger is an old and reliable name in reels. They are not overly popular under their own name, but I believe they brand name quite a few reels for BPS. I would think anything they make is decent quality, but a baitcaster reel with only three bearings is very low end by today's standards. Even the cheaper BPS, Browning, etc reels have anywhere from 7 to 10 bearings in them for smoother operation. If you are just starting to use one, make sure you get a model with adjustable magnets and also spool tension. Then, learn to set up the reel for each weight of lure you plan to cast with it. Avoid casting into the wind unless you have good thumb control....or like knitting!

Congratulations Dan!

Very sorry to hear this news Gary. I recall how important Amy was in your life and she will surely be missed. My condolences.

I found their premier edition in my mail box yesterday! Now, I can't recall whether there was a post on here for us to request this, or whether they just had access to a mailing list from somewhere? Anyways, it was a pleasant surprise and the magazine looks quite decent. It is all BASS and all Canadian! Looks like a heavy slant on Ontario as well. Some good articles and very well put together!

Mono is between Orangeville and Shelburne. I just called Exide Canada, and they told me to go to Canadian Tire and get the Nautilus as it is the same battery. <_<

Thanks for all the info Randy! The first deep cycle I ever purchased was 20 years ago, and it was the GNB Stowaway that was advertised on all the US fishing shows. It was totally sealed and would not leak, even if it was tipped over. It was a good battery, but very pricey. I know, "you get what you pay for", but I'm not convinced that the other batteries won't last as well. Do you think these Exide Stowaway batteries are the same as the old GNB ones? I have the room in the back of the boat for the Group 31's, but the added weight is a real killer. They are 62 pounds each. All this weight at the very rear of the boat, plus the motor, starting battery, some safety gear, and so on makes it difficult to counter out this weight and keep sufficient weight on the tongue. When trailering, I just load up my tackle in the front. That usually does it! I'll do a search to see where I can get Exide Stowaway batteries nearer to me.

John, That is terrible. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your son. No one should have to deal with something of that nature. You say it was a number of years back, but I'm sure that does not make it any easier to take these days. My deepest condolences. As you point out, there are some very decent people in the nursing profession. Seems like you met a couple of them.

Nice report and pictures Cliff! When I used to start my 20 h.p Merc, I would pull the choke all the way out and push it back in twice. After the two full stokes, I would push it back in and pull it half way out on the third time and then start it up. Always worked well for me.

Well Congratulations to you both! That certainly is a milestone that is not easily achieved by very many! I would have to agree that you have been blessed with some wonderful children, grandchildren, and friends.

Thanks Victor! I never have much success searching the threads! The two I have lasted very well, and I think I just found them again, but the price is up to $180.00 each which hurts a bit. These Nitrocell batteries are made by East Penn battery. I don't think CTC and Walmart carry a group 31 size in their batteries? The group 31's also weigh a ton! Any more info, please keep it coming!

My two group 31 deep cycles are at the end of their life cycle. These were Nitrocell batteries and lasted a good 6 years. Seems I can't find them anymore, so what do you folks like out there?

Might wanna put a shirt on?

I'm 49 and worked for deHavilland Aircraft out of high school for about three years. It was a good start, but constant threat of lay-offs and strikes, coupled with the "factory" mentality told me the future would always be in jeopardy. I had taken refrigeration courses in high school and also studied appliance servicing part time while working at deHavilland. This was truly what I had always wanted to do! I started my Refrigeration apprenticeship in 1980 and it was a major decision to give up a decent paying job with good benefits, for something unknown. I had a rough go for the first 2 1/2 years working for some pretty bad employers, but things turned around through hard work on my part and I started working for better companies and gaining knowledge and experience. Eventually, I started managing a specific part of the company that serviced laboratory and medical equipment. We covered the entire country from coast to coast and I met and worked with a lot of very talented and dedicated people along the way. I never looked back, and enjoyed the past 27 years or so working in a trade that I truly loved! How often do we get a chance to earn a good living doing what we would do as a hobby? About 15 years ago, I started another phase of my career by teaching part time for the refrigeration workers union Local 787. Last October, I was offered a full time teaching position. This meant giving up a job at a company that I had worked at for 22 years! Time for another big decision, but again, it is one that I never look back on. I just completed my first 8 months teaching different levels of apprentices and absolutely love it! Classes finished on June 2nd. I have more free time during the summer than I have ever had in my life! Coincidentally, I also moved away from the city last year and this time off allows me to enjoy looking after our country property. Now, if I could just get out fishing, all would be well! (Soon )

Solid advice from Barnie! I have the Vista C from a couple of years back. It also has the colour screen which is very helpful in bright sunlight, better battery life, and 24 megs. I find that I use it when traveling and when you upload city maps, the amount of detail and information requires the extra memory to get enough coverage.

Very interesting post Bassfighter. Some very good wisdom in there that we can all use as food for thought. Thanks for sharing that.

Sounds like Charmaine DOES want you to find your way back in after all! LOL Congrats and have a great week-end with the new toys!

Can't help you with the question, but I do want to tell you that you write a fantastic report!! Keep them coming! Looks like a great day all around.

Pete, It needs to run when your feet are getting wet! LOL Sounds like you have a serious leak there! Either that, or your livewell drains into the bottom of the boat and is supposed to pump out from there. I have seen boats with this set up before.

My current bowmount motor is foot controlled with cable drive. I really do like it. On my last boat, I had converted my old Minn Kota Power drive (765MX) to hand controlled when I got fed up repairing the foot pedal. The system I put together worked really well. I made up a small control box that held a potentiometer to control the speed and a toggle switch to run the motor continuously. On the handle, I mounted a momentary contact push button to start the motor when I only needed short bursts of power. I was able to steer this unit with my knee and it was great. In my opinion, the hand controlled versions would still be worth looking into.

Very interesting report 007! Thanks for posting and sharing some pictures of species we don't see. Man, it should make each and every one of us appreciate the opportunities we have here in Canada! Can you tell me why it is that only these species seem to exist there? Is it an issue with water quality? Don't take this the wrong way, but all of these species are considered "coarse" fish here. The water does look pretty murky in the pictures. I think the Roach looks like a pretty decent species. Is it part of the Shad family?