Big Cliff

I went to Mexico once, I wouldn't go back there again if you gave me a free, all expense paid trip at a luxury resort. Cuba, I'd love to retire there because of the people.

You can disagree LOL, as I said, everyone makes it down IN ONE PIECE OR ANOTHER and once you get started, you can't turn around. Coming back up is easier "IF YOU KNOW WHICH CHANEL TO USE"! to just go ahead and try it by yourself for the first time without someone showing you how is risky. I would never recomend it but I'm getting old and perhaps a bit over protective.

Got into my blind at 4:45, all was quiet until about 7:00 then I had a hen come out, I saw another bird behind her at the edge of the bush but it went back in. Couldn't tell what it was. the hen stuck around for about 20 minutes or so and got to within about 15 yards of me. She started to wander away so I tried calling, next thing I know there is a shot about 100 yards away from me, one of the other guys shot a nice jake, it was heading in my direction but happened to go past him. That was the end of my morning and excitement, I had to be to work by 8:00.Oh well, there will be more days to hunt.

Sorry I missed you too CPH, had I known you were going to be up here both days, you could have stayed over night here instead of making the trip down and back. GCD, I seldom take my camera with me, I still haven't learned how to photo shop the CN Tower into my pics yet

Up bright and early this morning, got my fishing gear ready and headed over to Bean's place for 7:30 Met up with Beans and Dave and we headed off to a place where they had done well for crappie on Saturday. We got there and set up by about 8:00 am, we were the only ones there so we had our pick of spots. The cooler weather and rain seemed to have slowed things down from Saturday (same old story, "you should have been here yesterday!") Anyway, we weren't there very long and although the bite was slow the ones that were hitting were a good size. By 9:00 there were 3 boats casting in to where we were fishing and a half a dozen other people had showed up but everyone was quite respectful so it was quite enjoyable. It rained off and on and the wind was cool so by about 11:00 I packed it in but I still managed enough fish for a really nice feed and had a chance to meet up with Beans and Dave again. Thanks for the company guys!

Congrats Brian and Betty Ann, all the very best to both of you!

Going down the rapids is easy, everyone that tries it makes it in one piece or another, it's being able to come back up the rapids that can be tricky. Get someone that knows the area to show you how first, you'll save yourself a lot of grief. I've known the Palmers for about 40 years now and they are super people, if you head out of their place (Hartley Bay Lodge) you will have access to some fantastic fishing and plenty of water that you can cover without having to navigate the rapids. As for camping, well, when I lived there we just pitched a tent wherever we wanted. Guess that has all changed now.

I bought an FL8 (used but in excellent condition) this past winter for $200.00 and that was considered a good deal BTW, I love it!

The best way to do it: use wire strippers, cut back about 3/4" insulation off each side. DO NOT TWIST the wire, slide a piece of heat shrink over one of the wires and slide it down out of the way. Using ROSIN flux, dip each of the wires into the flux then heat them just enough to melt the flux. Now, holding both of the wires end to end, push them into each other (you might have to give them a slight twist as you are doing it) then reheat and apply ROSIN CORE solder. You shouldn't have any sharp edges or lumps, your joint should be neat, clean, and straight. Slide your heat shrink tube over the joint and heat it to seal the joint, you should never have a problem again.

Here is a link to Victoria County Career Services, they often have jobs posted for students. You will need to enter a postal code, use K9V 4R6 Victoria County Career Services Also, check your PM.

Well our long awaited and much anticipated cat fish charter finally arrived yesterday. The day started off early for me, out of bed at 3:15 am before the alarm even went off. As with many such trips I had laid in bed last night trying to get to sleep but I was much too excited. When I finally did get to sleep it seemed like it had only been a minute or two and I was rolling out of bed again. Anyway, morning routine out of the way and I was on the road by 4:45 heading down to burlington to hook up with the rest of the crew. We all got to John's within minutes of each other and after a brief round of introductions, headed out to get some breakfast at a little spot John knew about and discuss the day ahead and to get a chance to get to know a little about each other. A nice relaxing breakfast (boy was the food ever good) and we headed out to Fishmasters. Steve had warned us that the high winds might make the fishing a bit tough and that they hadn't been too successful the day before but what the heck, we are fishermen after all and you know what they say about a bad days fishing..... Anyway Steve really had to work at trying to position the boat, the winds were gusting to something in the 35k range and changing direction causing the boat to swing and making it very hard to know if we were getting a bite or just draging bottom. The first spot we tried produced one hit but nothing else so Steve decided to try a spot that might be a little more protected and it wasn't long before we had our first fish on. Mike landed this beauty (I believe it was 33"). Mike with the first fish. Good Job Mike! A few more misses then Jose landed this guy. Not quite as big but it sure was a fighter. The wind changed directions again and the boat started swinging in spite of three anchors and drift socks so Steve decided that we should move and try for an even more sheltered spot to where they'd had fairly good success a couple of days before. We were marking fish but again the wind made it very difficult to tell a bite from dragging bottom so we didn't stay there very long. Then Steve took us to another spot, the wind was still blowing us around but seemed to be a bit lighter, there were even a few times where it seemed to die down a bit and when it did, wwe would get hits but setting the hook was not easy and there were a lot of misses. It was Stan's turn to handle the rod for the next fish but he declined and insisted that I should take the next fish and suddenly it was "fish on". there was a brief agruement with both of us insisting that the other one should have the honor and the next thing I knew I was holding the rod and fighting this fish. (sorry I didn't get a picture of it, perhaps one of the other guys can post one). We fished for w while more, Mike caught a good size clam: There were a lot more hits but no more fish landed. And here is one of the crew: From right to left: Stan, Mike, Jose, John, and myself. I really want to thank Fishmaster (Steve) for making this a wonderful day on the water, I don't think I have ever seen a capt. work so hard to help his customers find and catch fish, I'd be happy to book a charter with him anytime. To the rest of the crew, what a wonderful group, I really enjoyed meeting each and every one of you and am looking forward to fishing with you again some day soon!

All the very best my friend and many more!

Cuba is one of the nicest places I have ever visited but you do want to go 5 star or be prepared for very basic food and drink choices. No matter where you go in Cuba, the people are wonderful. Where did you stay TJ?

It was a real pleasure, those old saws are almost bullet proof, a little TLC and it will last forever. Just drain the fuel out of it and run it dry when you aren't going to be using it for a few weeks or more at a time.

I think I'll use my 870 this year Chuck, my blind isn't very big and I think I'd have a problem shooting a crossbow from it. I'd like to try it with the crossbow though so if they have a fall hunt again this year I might do a bit more work on the blind and give it a try. Hope you find a place where you can hunt without being crowded out.

Fantastic pictures! I especially like that second one, both Pork Chop and your daughter look like they are comfortable and confident and giving it their all! All the best to both of them in the up coming event and you are right, it is a very small price to pay!

Stan, I sent you a PM with all the information regarding Sunday, everyone else has confirmed they received theirs but I haven't heard anything back from you. I wanted to make sure you got yours and it sounds like we are all going to meet up for breakfast and even do some car pooling. Please PM John for the details of where we are going to have breakfast and what time (somewhere around Burlington I think) and even if you can't join us for that, confirm that you got all the details regarding the trip. Cliff Home phone 705-328-0750 Cell 705-928-8899 Just in case you have any questions or I can be of any help.

Sunday just isn't going to get here quick enough!

You mean there has been more than one? I didn't know about Garry, I must have missed that one LOL. I was thinking of my good buddy Beans LOL.

The way I heard it, that old guy jumped!

The door is always open Cliff! You know you are welcome here anytime! It has been way too long since my last Sydney hug. Steve, glad you managed to finally get some suckers. How did you do on the perch?

Met up with Photoz for a bit but boy, the wind off of the lake was brutal. Showed him how to catch a sucker (and a branch) then headed out to see if I could find a more sheltered spot and a few perch. The wind was just as cold there but I did manage to catch about 8 keepers and a lot of dinks. By about 10 I admitted that I hadn't dressed as warm as I should have and Jim and I called it a day. I knew it was going to be an early one anyway because we had company coming for dinner. Anyway, it was nice to get out and see Photoz again even if it was a very quick trip. and catching a few fish was just a bonus.

Yes, it is Monday the 27th that it opens, anticipation .

Stopped by my blind this afternoon just to make sure everything was as it should be. There they were about 40 birds, one very large tom and as near as I could tell about 7 jakes. Monday morning should be a good one, these guys have been hanging around there all spring. Everyone else set to go?

OLD FARTS OLD FARTS :angry: Boy; you in for a world of schooling from some old farts on the 19th!