Big Cliff

You know what, I was having a bit of a rough day today (probably feeling a little sorry for myself) but that news just changed all of that..... It's a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the update but I think I'll just keep on saying a little prayer just for good measure!

I don't know how many times I have heard "my family comes first"! Well, without a job what are you going to do to take care of your family, go on welfare? I've never had to do it but I have seen families that did and it wasn't a pretty sight! Over the years of running my own business I don't know how many times I had an employee call in " I have a headache so I won't be in today", I was out until 3:00 am so I'm not feeling well I'll see you tomorrow", "My girlfriends want to go to Niagara Falls and I want to go with them so I won't be in tomorrow........." They didn't care if customers orders weren't being shipped or bills weren't getting sent out. Those were the same employees that were all ticked off when it came time for a promotion or a raise and they didn't get one. The people that got ahead were the ones that took their job seriously, believed that they had a responsibility to the company and to our customers and they earned the promotions and raises. They were also the ones that had job security! So if you really don't care about your job then why would you expect your employer to care about you????????

Wish I could but I buggered up my knee playing ball hockey last Saturday and don't think I'd be able to do all that walking. Enjoy the show and if you get a chance see if there is anyone there selling lure making supplies and molds for sinkers. I think I would like to get into doing some of that stuff and am just starting to try to get some contacts. Hope you enjoy the show!

Yah! Beans LOL. Thermous of hot tea, spamwhiches, some times I take along some venison pepperetts, or prosuto and fresh buns. Having a high calory lunch when you are out in the cold all day is really good for you!

Ok, from a bosses perspective; You were hired because they needed you there to do a job and you knew when you took the job what your holidays were going to be. When you asked for the first week off, they were considerate enough to allow you to take it even though you weren't entitled to it. Now, you want more holidays? When you hire an employee it is because you need that person to do work that is necessary, if that person isn't there and the work isn't being done, it is costing the company money. So, unless they hired you with the condition that you could work at your convenience, I think you have an obligation to be there when you are supposed to. As others have suggested though, perhaps this isn't the right job for you and you might be happier working somewhere else.

Why would that be Polliwogg?

While many of the ideas sound like they would be a nice way to get back at them, Verno's idea is probably the most practicle. I think I'd give that one a try first.

I wouldn't buy one on line unless you have had a chance to try a few out and know exactly what style and size you want. Mine is a Buoy-O-Boy and it does everything I need, I picked it up at the sportsman or fishing show a few years ago on special for about $200.00.

Down in Myrtle Beach, four of us, all 60+ at TGIF's and the waitress carded us. (and she actually checked for the birthdate on my license). I thought it was some kind of a joke or promotion or they had a seniors discount or something but no. She said she carded everyone regardless of how old they looked It was good for a laugh!

When you own one, as Tomcat said "Keeping it on was a no brainer - I hardly knew I had it on.". Now there are some "no brainers out there......!" I think its' called Darwin's theory?

I can only imagine Lew! I have had to deal with some tough stuff in my life... I don't think I am man enough to deal with a phone call like that! I'm not afraid of very many things but that would be my greatest fear! I guess its the greatest fear of any parent! Sadly, it happens to someone every day.

I bought an inflatable at CTC last spring. It isn't an automatic but I fish alone at night quite often and was more worried about perhaps falling overboard while trying to pull up the anchor or something stupid rather than getting knocked out and finding myself in the water. I think it was one of the best investments I have ever made! With the regular PFD's I often left it setting on the back of my seat (lot of good it would have done me when I was in the water) but it was uncomfortable and restricting. I went fishing to relax and enjoy myself. The inflatable PFD is so comfortable that many times I have come in from fishing and put the boat away, walked up to the house and only then realize that I have it on. (Usually because Sue tells me LOL). Either one is better than no PFD or a PFD left sitting in the boat while you are in the water but I won't ever go fishing again without mine!

You know, I am really glad you posted this! I really hate to think of the post I could have been reading right now! Glad to hear you are here to tell us about it.

From the sound of it, paternity isn't the only thing they should be getting tested for!

I hear you Lew! I know you are way too smart to actually do something like that (much as we might like to at times LOL).

They wouldn't need to try a second time Lew, they'd get enough money out of sueing you for booby trapping the handle you'd probably have to sell the hut along with just about everything else to pay for it. Their story would probably be "Oh we were just checking the door to make sure it was locked so no one would break in"!

Nice pic! Good work on posting that first photo.

It's people like him that make me proud to be a Canadian!

Good for you and them, you did it to help them and they showed you that they appreciated it!

Ok people, who will be the first to step up to the plate; 200 jumbo hotdog buns, get them donated, buy them, have we got any salesmen (people) on this board?

How is this for a deal Moe. You get the sausages 100 ea. and what ever doesen't sell I'll buy for cost + 10%. You (Tyler) can't loose! I do remember when we started last year thinking "Sausages?" but they were the biggest hit! so now we need buns!

I would really love to spend some time with someone down there that knows all about how to harvest oysters, crab, clams, anything you can get living off the land so to speak. I wonder if there is any kind of an exchange program LOL. Wouldn't that be an interesting adventure?

Doesn't count unless it came out your nose!

LOL, I borrowed it from him Roy. It's a little big on me though!!!!

Black tip shark. You aren't allowed to fish for sharks within 1/2 mile of shore in Myrtle Beach, they don't want the tourists to know they are there. As a result, you can't use a net or gaff to land them and you are not allowed to keep any that you do land. If you do hook one, you are allowed to hand line it up to the pier to remove the hook but must let it go right away. Since you are about 30' above the water you don't get to land many in excess of about 10-15 lbs. They sure are fun to catch though and put up one heck of a fight and apparently they are excellent eating. Spiney Dog Fish: Very similar to the Black Tip Shark except they don't have the black tip on the tail and they have white dots along the lateral line. They also have spine on every fin similar to a catfish and will try to stick you if they get the chance. From what I was told it can really hurt if they do connect. Don't know about eating them but since they are a member of the shark family, you can't keep them either. Salt Water EEL: Put up one heck of a fight both in the water and on land. I'm not much for snakes and eels so I wasn't ready to handle this guy but one of the fellows I was fishing with said they were excellent eating and asked if he could have it. That was the only thing that wasn't C&R. This little sucker has some nasty looking teeth. (no I didn't get a picture of them LOL). Horseshoe crab: Well, it didn't put up much of a fight, more like pulling in an old boot. It sure was ugly, no one seemed to know if they were good to eat or anything. First picture is the top side, second one is the underside. Clear Nose Skate: A lot of people confuse them with sting rays but they don't have the barb on the tail and there are several other differences. They are very plentiful and put up one heck of a fight. A 5-6 lb skate puts up as much fight as a 20 lb pike. They don't like to quit. I am told that if you are willing to do the work they can be good eating but I didn't see anyone keeping any. (I guess it must be a lot of work and there are only small portions of it that are usable). Lastly, my favorite catch of the whole trip: A blue crab. You can't have anything but respect for this little guy. He might have weighed in at about 1.5 lbs. He grabbed onto my bait and wouldn't let go (now, that's determination) he caught me in about 35' of water then let me reel him in and lift him another 30' through the air and up onto the pier. He didn't let go of the shrimp until I set him down on the dock. Then he was ready to take on any commers.... backed himself up against the rail and took a shot at anything that came close (man this little guy had guts, I outweigh him about 200-1 but he wasn't going to give up without a fight). Couldn't help but respect that kind of courage. It took a few minutes but he too was released to fight another day. Well, I took a lot more pictures but tried to post some of the more interesting ones. Hope you enjoy. Big Cliff