bigugli

Went out for a few hours to see if we could scare up a few fish on the 12 mile. Needless to say the fish were not cooperative. A handful of smaller perch and one sheepie for the son. Who said fishing season was over?

I think we can all agree that Canada and the U.S. of A. will be travelling a rough road the next few years. We are not going to be the ones solving the problems despite any good that comes from this discussion. The politicians won't give a tinker's damn for what we think. There is also no good that comes from all the feuding. Bottom line, we, as a society, got greedy and must now pay the piper. So for a minute take a hard lesson from the history books. Eighty years ago the crash of '29' brought on two decades of hard times and strife. The rich survived and flourished despite what was happening to the rest of society. But what about the regular shmucks like us. People like us got through it, survived, and still lived life to the fullest. They just became a lot more realistic about things. They worried about the things that mattered most. Despite the depression, and the war that followed, they worked harder, tightened their belts, worked together and took care of their own. My Grampa was known, sometimes with Gram's diapproval, for always helping his neighbours. If he had a good day on Simcoe and caught a bushel of whities my Grampa would share it with the neighbours. Same with smelt or perch. Gram got mad because she had cleaned all them fish first He would think nothing of leaving a quarter from some animal on a friends doorstep because they could not afford to buy meat. Four men would scrape together every penny to run out for the duck hunt and share 1 box of shells between them. My uncle took payment for jobs in produce to barter down in Simcoe. Anybody who fought knows that survival required teamwork and co-operation. You didn't do it on your own. We may just have to relearn those lessons.

Glad to hear all is O.K. The son got in the same mess a month ago. Rear ended at the stop lightand was also lucky to avoid real injury, but the shoulder locked up 2 days later. The injuries can take up to 72 hours to show themselves. Take care of your family first. Us yahoos can wait. You'l probably spend 2 weeks playing games with the adjusters before all is settled.

We keep making all these so called "protective laws to keep us safe from ourselves. They don't work. Here's why. The new set of limitations has escalating penalties, but..... 1) How many police officers will be assigned to help monitor the situation 2) How many new constables will be hired for traffic enforcement. 3) Our courts are already backlogged. Are we adding new courtrooms, or are more cases going to be thrown out because due process was not served within a reasonable time frame. There are lots of DUI's still driving because it takes 2-3 years to make it to court. 4) Most youth believe they are indestructible or too smart to be caught. I'm certain a lot of us older fools thought the same way. 5) This legislation, like the motor manslaughter rules, like the cell phone ban, just adds more after the fact punishment, that is all. Like most of the new regulations, "If you get caught" becomes the big catch phrase. In other words, after you have your accident we will crucify you if you survive. Not much of a deterrent, but it makes the lobbyists happy. We already know that 10% of license holders routinely drink and drive. The numbers that actually get caught,and punished, is a pathetic drop in the bucket. Just like the thousands out there without insurance or driving under suspension. The deterrent is not there. A few years back an employee of mine had to be caught 3 times before the court imposed suitable sentence. First time was pulled over for speeding and got a 24 hr suspension for being "borderline". Pulled over again a month later and finally got hit for no insurance ( they didn't check the first time). A few more weeks go by and pulled over again for speeding. No insurance. No court date for a year so he continues to drive. Still drinking and no insurance. The court hit him, but they also hit his employer by making us help administer his punishment. $5000 in fines, to be garnished from his wages over a year. 30 days sentence on weekends and the employer, get this, was to ensure he got to the jail on time on Friday without consequence to his job. So I have to take another person off the job to deliver this to detention. I do believe that the same mess will come about from all these new HTA regulations. The only gain will be a bigger mountain of bureaucratic red tape.

Yer from humbletown eh? Welcome. I've always loved the French and Nippissing. Show us some fish porn. Lots and lots of it!

I do like the Polar Express backpack. Just had to reinforce some of the stitching.

I have a 2 piece survival suit- Mustang. The 2 piece allows a little more flex when bending over. It is also easier to cool down in the 2 piece when you get hot. As for warmth, WOW! I don't need layers. The inside of the suit is soaked by the end of the day. My son has the floatation coat and he needs to wear layers as they do not have the same degree of insulation.

I am just green with envy. WTG to you fellows and everybody else that went out to the BOQ on the weekend.

We have an HT Polar Express. It is a folding backpack shelter, 1 or 2 man. Weighs 20lbs. The enire unit unfolds not unlike a clam with a pair of collapsible seats inside. We have the rest of our gear on a small sled. The shelter is darn good for being lightweight. One drawback, and I'm finding the same problem with a lot of canvas product. A lot of the product sewn in thr Far East has poor stitching and cheap thread. It is only a minor inconvenience for me as I have had a lot of practice sewing canvas with a sailmakers palm. For most it would be a major problem.

You must realize that you will be buying float suits every other year. I know Helly Hansen made suits for all ages. I saw them displayed at a trade show. I don't know if they are available in those sizes in Canada. I know mustang does not.

Drooooooooooooooool !

A worthwhile evening I'm certain, and a priviledge to be asked to perform. One question Bly. Did you instruct Cliff on the proper etiquette for wearing a kilt? In particular, what not to wear.

Could be? The bass went back to be caught again.

Your jack doesn't try to steal the fish? My fish thieving dog is sooo bad I have to either bring home a small one(live) for her to chew on or a few live minnows When we take her fishing she gets very excited whenever a fish is caught. Congrats on a successful outing despite the wind and weather.

I am not yet 50 and I already suffer the inconveniences and embarassments that come with arthritis. I do not go canoeing anymore. There are days I cannot tie more complex knots ( Thank God for the palomar). I can no longer go out in the boat by myself. So What? Lately a number of us have placed posts of taking older family members out fishing, despite their age and frailties. I don't care if they have to wheel me out onto the dock in a wheelchair. My uncle does not mind half crawling to get into a boat from the dock. There is no limit on doing what you love beyond the limits we set for ourselves. We learn and adapt.

You're getting there Bernie. One day at a time. In this race there is no finish line to look toward. Each day gets a little easier than the last, but that temptation is always there. I was having the smoking dream a couple of nights back, woke up and, right away, checked my dresser to make sure I hadn't done something stupid.

Despite a case of the soggies, I was on the shore by 7:30. The bite was pretty darn good til 1:00. Lots of perch, a 12" pike, a few bass My partner for the day got the biggest perch Can't wait to see what the weather is like tomorrow.

The natural ratio of male to female should be about 1 for 7. Not enough war, famine, disease or predation to maintain the proper balance Darned CBC pulled the link feature.

Thanks douG for placing that song back in my head. I just happen to love it. .It just keeps playing, and playing.... As Gram would say a happy man has spring in his step and a song in his heart. Anybody for green onions?

I know And the original Ugly Stik had a lifetime warranty. I have one as well. Great for bush fishing.

Smart woman

I looked at one earlier. As fns said, there is more work in setting up. In wind that can be a problem. I also was not too impressed with the overall construction

What a wonderful day you both had. Those are some fine looking fish.

Because I walk a lot of shoreline and bush when backpacking the rod has got to be durable. It also has got to feel good in your hand. When it comes to sensitivity and light bites, there is no diff tween a Walmart special and a St Croix. I just watch my rod tip. Arthritis has buggered up a lot of the feeling in the hands so I can't justify the $2-400 price tag

That 5' glass rod is 40 years old and has never failed. A present from my Uncle Jonni. I still like using it for pannies. And that handle is solid cork. Lord knows how many times its gone swimming The gear from the past may not be cutting edge but it was built to last. Just like the old 300A or my old Rapala knife that Gram bought me in Finland before they were available here. Like they say: "Why mess with perfection?"