Big Cliff

First I want to apologize, I haven't been around very much for a bit now and while many of you have sent emails, called, and sent PMs. I've tried to respond to all but with going to school, working, and Dr.s appointments I'm sure I've missed a few. The good news is that the Dr.s have changed a few of Sue's medications around, they can't repair the damage to her heart but they have her back to feeling almost her oldself again. She is off the nitro patch and has only had to use the spray occasionally in the last few weeks. She has actually started going back to work for 3 hour shifts once or twice a week because she finds it takes her mind off things. She'll have to be careful and take things easy but I'd rather have that than the alternitive! So thanks for all your prayers and well wishes, perhaps now I can get back to being a contributing member of this board again.

With a buddy, survival suit, and a long rope ATTACHED, go for it. There might be 4" of ice on that bay but one spring under the ice and you could easily find yourself swimming. ONE mistake could easily be the last one you will ever make.

Is there ANY chance that you could have run it even very briefly with the motor out of water? I talked to a Mercury tech that is in my class and he said that it only takes seconds if it is run dry to fry the impeller. He also said that you could try calling Mercury (not email) see if you can find out who the sales rep is for the dealer that you bought the motor from and talk NICELY to him. Often the sales rep can; if he thinks it should be, authorize the dealer to cover it under warranty. It seems that a lot of companies are finally starting to realize that one happy customer brings in two, one pissed off customer can cost them ten. Lastly, if you PM me the model and SN for your motor, he will check for me and see if there are any issues or service bullitens for it.

Well after reading the responses and a lot of help from so many of you we have decided to try to set up a little "small scale" B&B. I am not going to create a web site or anything, nor am I going to advertise in the local papers. We really don't want to own and operate a "business". Our goal is going to be to try to focus on creating an opportunity for couples or small families to go somewhere clean, comfortable and affordable and have an opportunity to get out, enjoy the winter and/or do some ice fishing. It would be nice if we could just afford to give it away but we can't! I have posted an add in the classifieds section in the "member business directory". It is pretty basic but if you would be kind enough to take a look at it and see if I have missed anything or need to clarify anything, I'd appreciate it. Oh, and I promise I will not use the "general discussion" form again to promote this but without all your help it probably wouldn't have happened. Thanks! Cliff

You can't have been married too long then. make the most of it while you can, it doesn't last very long

I could add a second bedroom with bunk beds, in fact it is a big room and I could easily put two bunk beds in there. When the kids come to visit, we have an air bed that we set up in the family room and there is still lots of room for cots and things. Come on Guys, give me some help here. I was thinking of something like $65.00 a night per person + breakfast.

Well, since they are going to open ice fishing here Sue and I are thinking of opening a B&B and cater to the ice fisher people. I am not going to try and do the ice hut thing or guiding but we thought that there might be an opportunity for us to make a bit of money and offset our winter utility costs. We have a nice guest bedroom with a queen size bed, family room with gas fireplace, two couches, satalite TV and wireless high speed internet, 4 piece bath and a kitchenett with a stove and fridge, microwave and coffee machine. We are trying to figure out a price structure, with breakfast; without breakfast. I don't think we would want to get into serving other meals as I will have to do most of the work and I still have a job to go to every day. Since we are right on Sturgeon Lake and within easy walking distance to some exceptional fishing with plenty of parking we are hoping it would work. What do you guys/gals think? What do you think would be a good/fair price with breakfast? Without breakfast? When I am talking breakfast, I am thinking baccon, saussage, or ham, 2 eggs any way you want them, pancakes or hash browns, coffee, tea, or juice. I could use some ideas of what to do about the menu. Should it be offered as a seperate item? All input would be much appreciated.

You are right, @ 20 yards a crossbow is as easy as having a gun in your hands, in fact I think it is deadlier. The skill part comes in getting to within 20 yards. I see lots of guys during the gun hunt taking 80+ yard shots. I get one shot, they will unload their gun. Each to their own I guess.

Every shot I take at a deer with my cross bow costs me about $15.00 just for the heads I use. Once fired they are usually so mangled they have to be replaced. Believe me I make sure I can hit what I am shooting at and if I can't get a good clean shot, I just don't take it. In the past 10 years I haven't lost one deer that I've shot at and the farthest any thing has gone after shooting it with the cross bow was about 70 yards in about 10 seconds and it was dead. By the time I pay for my out door card, fishing license, hunting license, turkey, bear, deer, moose licenses and my gear. Hunting already costs me plenty, I really can't aford any more cash grabs.

I can't see anything

Crap and I gave my ice hut away a couple of years ago LOL. I have to admit, it will be nice on one of those beautiful winter days to be able to jump on my bike and get a fresh feed of nice crappie or perch. Sturgeon isn't much different than Scugog as far as ice conditions are concerned, some dangerous spots but if you don't know, you shouldn't go anyway. I don't think the pressure on the new lakes will be too bad, you don't get the jumbo perch here like you do on Simco, no white fish, no pike, no lake trout. Trust me I'll be watching for anyone taking walleye in my area and believe me if I see it, I will report it and I have a very good telescope and can see a lot right from my dining room! Apart from that, no one has any ice fishing experience on the new lakes, it will take a long time for people to figure out the patterns and and a few trips with little results will make a lot of people go back to the areas they know produce fish. Over all, I think it will be good for the areas bait and tackle shops and and many others.

That's wonderful news Rob, let him know we are all rooting for him and hope to see him posting soon again!

4 1/2 YEARS? I thought I was being considerate waiting until the second date! Oh wait, are we are talking about something different? All the very best to you, looks like quite a catch! So when is the big day?

Silly, if you had taken your bow, they would have left before you got to see them. Deer ar smart, they know when you have your bow with you how else do you explain the fact that you always see them when you don't have it and never see them when you do? They go to school for that stuff you know! I can drive my bike down into the field in the middle of the day where my stand is and see 3 or 4 right in front of my stand. Get in there and sit all day and see nothing. They KNOW! That is one fine looking buck yum yum! Hope to see your post down post soon!

Good luck with the operation and a speedy recovery!

I've used red dots in the past and they are very good but when I am hunting in close cover, low light conditions, there is nothing better than a good scope that allows you that extra 15 minutes of shooting time.

Sorry Sinker, When I leave in the morning it is still dark and when I get back at night it is dark. From what I understand there may be something on CHEX news tonight about it. Russ, I think your idea makes sense, could have easily been started by a few errent leaves on fire. Glad you were there to help and lend a hand when needed. BTW, if you ever have a problem on the water, my number is 328-0577 and I am just 4 doors West of the Moorings Marina. Grey boat house, maroon door. Welcome to the board! Most importand no one got hurt and from what I understand no buildings were damaged.

LOL, Love just sitting in my stand watching the wild life even if I don't get to see a deer. I have only gotten out once; yesterday afternoon Sue was feeling sorry for me being so house bound she insisted I should just get out so I headed out to my stand about 1:00 pm. The tree has growen a couple of inches so I had to reposition the stand but once done I hunkered down and just enjoyed the sun and light breeze. I had birds landing in the tree right beside me, watched a squirel running back and forth and then he climbed to within about 6' of me, then I nodded off. I woke up about 3:30 feeling totally relaxed and thought "perfect, just in time for the hunt". I didn't see any deer but it was a much needed rest. I think I will have to get one of those trail cameras, man those photos are fantastic, thanks for sharing! Anyone want to trade a good trail camera for an Aquaview?

Yes, it is Goose bay.

Apparently it has been burning for several hours now, it is an area of cat tails that is several hundred acers. Who and why would someone do something like this, perhaps someone wanted to destroy the duck blinds that are down there but what is it going to do to the fish habitat. At least there are no homes in danger, it is surounded by water.

I use a product called Nokout, wash my cloths in it and spray my gear and boots before going to my stand. best thing I have found in 50 years of hunting.

I like a good scope because they help gather light allowing you to get shots that you might not be able to get otherwise. A good package all rigged up will probably run you about $1000.00.

This might be a little different than you were thinking but!: a few years ago a friend called a company "chef in your kitchen" (or something close to that.) for his wifes 50th. My friend got to pick the menu and customized it to what he wanted. A chef came out to our house, prepared a fantastic meal and served it over a 5 hour period, cleaned up the dishes and everything. He brought all his own cookware and everything he needed to prepare the meal. He uncorked our wine and served it, set a perfect table, timed everything to our needs, it couldn't have been better. I have eaten in some of the finest restraunts and this meal was second to none. The total cost for 4 people with the tip was about $300.00 but it was worth every penny. Might just be something you want to try, it will be something special that she will never forget and you and her daughter will get to share the experience with her. Mother-in-laws (or future mother-in-laws) love to be pampered and feel like they are gaining a son, not loosing a daughter.

Want me to fine tune that thing for you? OK, your's is bigger than mine! LOL

Well thanks Roy, Coming from someone who would do just about anything to help anyone anytime it means a lot! Thank you!