Big Cliff

It sure is amazing! Well, it just keeps getting better each day. I still need glasses to work on the computer or for reading but this is only day 4. As for distance, heck, I can see things on the other side of the lake that I didn't even know existed before even with my glasses on. Beans, mine advanced very quickly. I had just gotten new glasses last year and within 6 months the cataracts developed to the point where something had to be done. I do have to wear sun glasses most of the time when I am outside, the glare off of the snow is almost blinding even on a dull day but I expect that even that will improve as time goes on and the eyes heal. I see the surgeon next Thursday and can start driving again after that.

It's a bit hard but I just had to let everyone know that I'm good to go and warn the fish LOL.

No, cataracts removed, new lenses put in.

$19.00 to $30.00 CTC ice rod combos is all I ever use. I do change the line on most of them but that is about it. I don't know if I could fill a truck but I'd fill a good sized trailer!

Well, had the cataract surgery yesterday, quite an experience! They did both eyes so I was running kind of blind afterwards but by this morning I started to notice a really big change. White actually is REALLY white, lights in the house that seemed dim before are almost too bright now. Boy what a differance! Things are still kind of blured but I just had my follow up visit and the surgeon said he was very pleased with the way things went and over the next few days my vision should continue to improve to the point I'll only need reading glasses. Can't drive for a week but that's ok, Sue will take me anywhere I need to go. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that FISHING STARTS as of next weekend and look out fish!!!!!

Son, do you know where your two sisters and your brother are? Better yet, do you know where Johnny is?

Well, if you end up down at St. Laurent and Main and some young lady named Chantell(well young to me) asks if you know Big Cliff from Ontario, tell her you think I moved to some place in China or something and haven't been heard from for years ok. Oh, and watch out for that boy friend of hers,Johnny, that bugger carries a gun. He isn't a very good shot but he isn't afraid to try!

Same sort of thing got an access point to Sturgeon Lake closed last year, garbage, used toilet paper, just thrown on the ground. The locals got tired of having to clean it up. Beans and I went to a spot a couple of years ago to do a little shore fishing, we spent about 1/2 an hour cleaning up garbage even though there were garbage cans sitting right there, the previous anglers had just thrown their stuff all over the ground. Get used to seeing public access points closed because saddly I doubt it is going to get any better!

Well, I had a Nissan Frontier crew cab and loved it, it would pull anything, selectable 4WD, Lo and High range and the gas milage was quite good. I have also had a Nissan X-Trail, again not bad milage and good towing ability although not nearly as good as the Frontier was. 4WD or AWD are really handy both on winter roads and on ramps. Selectable will save you gas money when it isn't needed. Right now I am driving a Subaru Forester AWD. Very comfortable, handles well, I haven't tried to tow anything too heavy, my ATV which is about 600 lbs but you wouldn't even know it was there. Gas milage isn't that good but comparable I guess for an AWD.

Last time I told Sue I was going fishing and I didn't care if she liked it or not, she told me if I did, I wouldn't see her for three days. She was right, by day four the swelling in my eyes had started to go down and I could make out shapes again!

Welcome to the board Sean, you will fit in here just fine! I am really looking forward to getting out on the ice with you and doing some fishing, we'll get that first fish through the ice really soon! If all goes well for me on Wed. we might even be able to fit in some time Thurs. or Fri.. We'll talk!

God must have needed a very special young man to have taken him so early in his life. Everytime I see an eagle fly I will remember this post. Thanks for sharing it! Just a thought but: The very first wood carving our friend Nanook ever gave us was one of an eagle feather. Could it be that Eagleman and Nanook are both together for a reason? I would like to think so!

Doesn't matter which auger you use (admittedly some are better than others) the difference in energy required between a 6" and an 8" hole remains the same. I have a Swedbore, it was within my price range, it was available, and while there may be better, it does the job for me. Mind you, I drive a Subaru not a hummer LOL.

Had power augers, had 8" augers, 6" will do just about anything you need. The difference between a 6" and an 8" (I worked it out and posted it on this board a few years back) is an 8" removes about twice as much ice by volume than a 6" (and requires about twice the effort to do it). the forumla is 3.1416Xr2X the thickness of the ice. r being the radius (1/2) of the diameter of the hole Example: for 6" auger, 12" of ice 3.1416X9X12=330.28 cubic inches of ice Example for 8" auger, 12" of ice 3.1416X16X12=603.18 cubic inches of ice In other words about twice the energy per hole. If you are young and strong; well you choose which one suits you best. If you are like me, I'd rather drill two holes, one at a time than one big hole and be too tired to fish it LOL. As for makes, they are all good if you take care of them properly. I buy a new set of blades for mine ($20.00) then keep them as back up. If my blades do get dull, I just install the new ones but a set usually lasts me about 4 years.

One of our members posted a few months ago that he had some sheets of that available if anyone wanted them. That would be the way to go if you can get some. Perhaps someone can remember who had them.

I went to that board about a year ago. I won't go into details but I wouldn't go back if there wern't any other boards. Just be careful what you post or PM anyone. PMs are not private if you are the moderator. Funny how some private information suddenly became common knowledge! I'm not accusing anyone of anything but it sure seemed like a strange coincidnce!

All the very best to you in your new career choice!

A friend mentioned using one of those roll up imitation bambo mats on the ice and that that made a huge difference for keeping your feet warm. They don't absorbe water and they are light and easy to transport.

Well, my SubZero might be hard to set up in the wind but after reading some of the tips on how to, I can't see it being much of a problem, anchor the corners before you try to expand it. It is light, roomy, and comfortable with a small heater in it. Some of the flip overs I have fished out of I found were very small and I found the seats hard to get up out of because you are sitting so low (and I am old). If you are not sure which way to go then try fishing out of both for a day then make your decision. For me, portability and comfort were big issues, being able to stand up in it to stretch was a bonus.

Like when Claude gets out of hand OK, OK, maybe a little wishful thinking here LOL

Had some brownies one time, same effect, turns out they were made with some "special" ingredient. They sure were good brownies though! We laughed and laughed about that one

Now that makes sense, good tip because I found mine easy to do with two people but was thinking it might be hard to do on my own. Thanks for the tip!

Interesting, very interesting

Morning Lew. Sounds beautiful! Our view is to the West so we don't get those beautiful sunrises but the sunsets are spectacular. Just had a look out the window to see if I could spot any coyotes on the lake, boy there are a lot of them around here this year and they are getting a lot bolder. We often see them out in the middle of the lake during the day. Take care and enjoy the sunrise I'll put it to bed for you tonight

About 15 years ago my son, daughter-in-law and grandaughter gave me a compas for Christmas one year. Inscribed on it was "love from your son and his girls, just so you can always find your way home to us". I carry it with me everytime I go into the outdoors. (I also carry my GPS these days) but when it gets bad enough I can't see more than 3 or 4 hundred yards ahead I tend to err on the side of cauton especially when I have a young charge in tow. I couldn't live with myself if my stupidity caused someone else their life.