Big Cliff

Sun shining, light breaze, warm...... I had talked to a couple of locals and it seems that the fishing is picking up. They suggested that I go to Bass Pro Shop and buy a rod ($20.00) as apposed to renting one for a day ($18.00)+$35.00 deposit so buy a rod I did. I couldn't believe it, a Shakespere heavy duty rod, reel, line, everything I needed, $20.00. Sorry Sue, now it's 15 rods and reeles LOL. Everyone here is so warm and frendly, the people that run the pier let Sue come out fot free to see what it was like, and everyone out there treated you like you were long lost family. So, I start to get set up, got to cut the tiewraps off my new rod, woops, filleted my finger, not a cut, a nice clean fillet right off the top about a 1/4" of flesh gone nearly to the bone (I think a sea gull got it). So, wrap it in paper towles and head back to the office at the pier. Fortunatly, the guy use to be a medic or something, blood all over the place but he managed to do a heck of a job with some tape and gauze and I headed back out on the pier. Sue bless her heart, keeps wanting to take me to the hospital, (no point in going, nothing left to stitch and only a little blood had soaked through the bandages) no way I was going anywhere until I had caught some fish, so fish I did! I finally convinced Sue to go do some sight seeing or shopping or something (she chose shopping, wouldn't you know it!) and she left me there to enjoy the sun, warmth, and a bunck of new friends. Well, they tell me the fishing is slow this time of the year but I had a blast, I caught a shark (8-10 lbs) but you can't keep them; I caught a small sting ray (about 5 lbs) but let it go; and I caught several (crokers) and sugar perch (crokers are boney and you don't keep the small ones). In short, I had a fantastic day, meet a pile of wonderful people, made a ton of new friends (all of which would fit right in as OFNR's, (TJ, you need to make up some cards "you have just been invited to join the OFC family".............. I'll bet I could have added 10 new members today alone. Anyway, thinking of you all, wish many of you were here to share it with me. Be safe, play nice! Big Cliff

I Like where I am right now, but I'd rather be in Cuba. Have a super trip! Oh, and take some packages of chicoletts (sp) with you, the kids love them! Enjoy! I Like where I am right now, but I'd rather be in Cuba. Have a super trip! Oh, and take some packages of chicoletts (sp) with you, the kids love them! Enjoy!

Enjoy your cruise, we did the Western circuit, quite an experience but not my cup of tea. It was good to try it though. I'll look forward to a report on your return!

Sue and I took 4 1/2 years looking for our place, there were a lot of factors involved in making our decision. We wanted a place where we could catch fish right off the dock, we were looking at it as an investment so there had to be potential for growth in the area. Because of Sue's health problems, we wanted a place that was close to medical facilities. We are on Sturgeon Lake in the Kawarthas and love it! I can catch Muskie, Pickerel, Carp, Bass, and almost any pan fish you can think of right off the dock. It was affordable, when we bought it, we knew we were going to have to do a lot of work on it so we came up with a five year plan, this is year six and most of what we wanted has been accomplished. Lindsay is a vibrent and growing town, there is little that we have to travel out side of the area, taxes are reasonable compaired to similar properties elsewhere, there are new businesses opening every day and lots of job opportunities, propertie values are still reasonable but growing at a nice steady rate. If you would like to come for a visit let me know and I'd be happy to spend some time showing you around our area and even talk to a few realestate people for you. Oh, and fishindevil, "the Kawarthas" is a big area, why do you think they "suck"?

Trolling off a cruise ship LOL....... well, I guess you could but it would be easier to troll while ice fishing! Where are you going on your cruise? I haven't had any problems with passports but I always keep ours up to date and renew as soon as the old ones expire. I did have a hassle trying to get my new health card though. They sent me a notice telling me I had to phone for an appointment, I spent several hours trying to get through on the phone to make an appointment and could never get through. I sent the ministry of health a really nasty email and told them that if someone didn't get back to me within 48 hours to set up an appointment I was going to contact my local MP, MPP, and every media outlet I could think of and raise such a stink about the way they were treating seniors......They called me back very promptly with a time and date for my appointment. Not sure if this tactic would work with passports though, you might just find that it accidently got cancelled while you were out of the country LOL.

Well, we got here safe and sound then I got one heck of a cold so I haven't had a chance to do much of anything yet but I have checked out the local pier and some fishing charters. So far the days have been beautiful, a few showers, and a bit of wind but reasonably warm. This morning the sun is shining, the seas are calm, I think I am goingto have a steak and eggs then spend the rest of the day sitting on the pier enjoying the sun and meeting some of the locals. Have a super day all!

Well gang, I know I haven't been around much for the last few months, working on a computer for 8-10 hours a day, by the time I get home at night the last thing I want to do is sit down in front of my computer. Just wanted to let you know, I haven't forgotten about any of you! I am leaving tomorrow morning early for North Myrtle Beach and won't be back until the end of Jan.. Hope to come back all rested and ready to go again with my batteries recharged. Take care of each other, play nice, be safe! I'll check in if I get a chance to, otherwise, see you all at the end of the month. P.S. I still haven't gotten any offers of food donations for the Tyler G2G so pleas, if you can help out post here or email me at home.

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond but I only have dial up at home and this new site is so slow. Moe you know you can count on me to help manning the BBQ's and stuff and I'll have some nice prizes for you too. I think we better plan on having 100+ people this year though, we did run out of food last year. If anyone is willing to donate burgers, hotdogs, saussages (they were a big hit last year) buns, mustard, relish............... please email me [email protected]

Good post and so true. I don't mean to hijack this thread but Verno hit it right on the head. I had a good talk with the son of a friend that just returned from Afganistan. He didn't mind the heat, the dirt, the lack of supplies. He wasn't crazy about being shot at and worring about the roadside bombs and suiside attacks but the thing that bothered him most was the lack of support and understanding from the people here at home. Rick told me that the Afgan are a wonderful people, kind and generous and that they appreciate what we are trying to do over there, it's the terrorists that are trying to take over. We fight there to keep that sort of lifestyle from coming to Canada. I'm very proud of Rick, I'm proud of all of the fine people that make up the Canadian Armed Forces, I'll stand sholder to sholder with any of them any day!