Big Cliff

Thanks, that is something I hadn't thought of, the idea of the windows being low enough is a good one too! I'll check out Kijiji too, I did have a hut a few years ago before you could ice fish here but gave it away. Keep the ideas coming, this could end up being the perfect hut!

Would some venting near the top of the hut prevent that problem?

I have a large American Bass wood tree in my yard and I understand that it is an excellent wood for making baits. I have to take two large limbs off of it, one about 8" in dia and about 12' long the other about 5" in dia. and about 6' long. Anyone interested in the wood for making baits? Free to a good home!

Even though time was somewhat limited we decided to jump in the boat (which I just happened to have ready to go) and headed out for an hour of fishing. 10 minutes later ccmt has a fish on; a nice size muskie (stupid muskie we were looking for walleye). Light tackle, no leader, but fought by a pro and next thing you know the fish was in the net. I have never seen such a quick release in my life, within seconds ccmt had the hook out and the muskie was back in the water and gone. I didn't even have time to grab the camera never mind take a picture. Fished for about another 45 minutes, came in for a bit of supper then Cliff had to head for home. Great company, a nice fish what a nice way to spend a bit of time on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Looking forward to your next visit when we have a bit more time to go after some of those peskie walleye.

Wow, a lot of great ideas and plans, thank you all so much! Looks like I will be taking ideas from a couple of them and trying to combine those to make the perfect 4 man hut! (and no Beans, it won't have a cement floor!!!!!) Billy Bob, I wish you were closer too, I can use all the help I can get!

Lew, that is very kind of you, yes, I would love to have it! Thank you so much!

Ok, I have decided to build an ice hut for this winter but I am having a hard time to find plans for one that would fit my needs. Here is an idea of what I would like to build: 4 man (comfortably) I don't intend to move it around a lot but it must be light enough for me to move by myself if necessary (I have an ATV so I can tow it) I do have a portable for those days I do want to move around a lot. It needs to have some sort of a heat source, a Coleman camp stove would probably be my choice so I can cook on it but any ideas would be appreciated. I don't want one of these "wood canvis" type things that fold down, I want to be able to drag it to where I want to fish and be able to walk in the door and have everything there and ready to go. It will probably be set up within half a mile of my house for most of the winter. I have found some plans on line but anything that looks good want you to buy the plans, (money is tight right now so I need to keep the cost down) So, any help would be appreciated! Oh and if anyone has a source for those aluminum printing sheets, that would be my covering of choice so please let me know. Thanks!

Beautiful! I think I am going to build one for this winter. Enjoy!

I know that Lunge Haven (Sturgeon Lake) still had boats and cottages available as of yesterday. (705) 324-6610

Sometimes my mouth goes into action before my brain gets engaged, Don't know what I was thinking Must have had one too many glasses of wine that night LOL.

Well, my propane fireplace works even if the hydro is off and it will keep the house comfortable down to about -20. Split seasoned firewood around these parts is $200.00 or more/face cord so he is looking at laying out $600.00+. You also pay a premium on your insurance for having a wood burning appliance, not sure how much extra that is a year but it all adds up. Lew, I agree, it is a nice form of exercise, I did it for many years myself but CPH is still working full time so his choice would be to go fishing or stack wood on his days off. Me thinks fishing is probably his choice of exercise LOL. CPH doesn't have a truck so hauling skids home and cutting them up probably isn't a good option especially since he lives in a densly populated neighbourhood. chainsaws/ neighbours not a good mix!

And that my friend is why I switched to propane, By the time I bought the wood, stacked the wood, filled the stove, hauled out the ashes..... Propane worked out to be less expensive, and a whole lot easier and the fire is just as enjoyable. Sell the wood stove and buy a nice propane one. Flip a switch, fire on sit back and relax.

You could try giving these guys a call, Kawartha Lakes Trout Farm 705-799-8040. I haven't been there in a long time but they use to keep their ponds well stocked year round. I know it is a bit of a drive but it is/was a nice place, three ponds, never crowded.

The rubber sleave type! I can't comment on the other type as I have no experience with them.

There is a big difference between being a member of this board and being a true OFNr. Anyone can be a member, you just have to register, True OFNrs go out of their way help each other. Case in point: last week I posted a rant about how friustrated I was about getting service on our fridge/freezer from a magor service company. Shortly after that I had a PM from Mercman who is in the appliance parts business. By Friday of last week I had all the parts in hand to do the repairs needed at far less than it would have cost me otherwise. That my friends is what OFC truly is about! Paul you surly are a true OFNr. Thank you so much, I only hope I can return the favour some day! I think I'll vote OFC next election; the only people that seem to truly think about helping others! Thank you Paul!

What ever you say! All I am going on is what I was taught in school, perhaps you should be the teacher!

A friend had an outboard, it would start and run fine until you tried to open it up. So you would get out on the lake and open it up but it just didn't seem to have any power. They tried everything, new fuel filter, spark plugs, carb kit, Seafoam, same thing. Then they changed the prop, problem solved! Seems the prop was slipping on the hub under load. Lower RPMs = not as much load, higher RPMs more load, prop would slip but not enough to let the RPMs go out of wack. Just something to think about if your motor runs fine but can't get you up to speed where you should be!

OK, so I hit "liked" before I knew it was my grandaughter and her BF in a canoe in the wilderness! But since you took the picture I guess things are under control. Sex at his could be fatal, cause I'd kill him!!!!!!

When I used one, ALWAYS. Good point Lew!

Glad you liked it Geoff and I'll have the samples out to the other people that I have been in touch with early this week. Same as you, all I ask is an HONEST review! If it works like it has for me, if it works better than anything else on the market, if there is a market for it, then I might just have a winner.

There is no substitute for love!

Should have got a beagle :rofl2: Sorry Bob, I just couldn't resist! Mandy sleeps right through the night, doesn't chew things she should't, loves to just cuddle (and chase rabbits). You just had to get a lab! LOL. OH, and I am going to beat you in the football pool too!

Old school was run them dry but if you put that answer on your test to get your license now as a small engine or marine mechanic, you will get it wrong. New school is to use stabilizer. I always did it with my old boat and it would start right up first thing in the spring just like it did before I put it away. (Two stroke) I always did fog it! Same thing with my new boat. (4 Stroke) Stabilizer in the fuel, full tank of gas, change lower unit lube, do an oil change, grease whatever should be greased, and park it. Fog if it makes you feel better but I really don't think it is necessary on a newer motor and especially if you are running a synthetic or blend of oil. I get in it in the spring, turn the key and it starts and runs just like it did before I parked it in the fall. My old motor was 20 years old when I sold it and still ran fine so I'm thinking my plan works! Big thing on a 4 stroke though is to change the oil just before you put it away. Every gallon of gas you burn generates up to 15 gallons of water, (air/fuel ratio 14.7: 1) some of which gets into your crank case. Now if you are running your engine a lot for longer periods then that water evaporates off through your crank case vent no problem! However (especially on shorter runs) there are hydroscopic droplets of water that can remain in your oil, if left sitting on crytical components they can cause erosion. Will it destroy your engine? Well not short term but it can reduce the life of it over time. One last note though, I always give all my linkages (throttle, choke,shift; anything that should move) a quick spray with WD40. This also helps to prevent drying or corossion. No matter how many people you ask or how many posts you read there are going to be a variety of answers regarding what has worked for them, (the people that post what didn't work are few and far between LOL.) Just take in all the information and do what feels right for you!

I do have to admit, I am having a lot of fun with this , heck even CindyLou is giving us a run for our money!

You'll have to catch it first Seems you are lagging a little behind right now, loosing steam already?