Andy

When I was ten years old, my mother took me to a war cemetery in Holland and seeing the endless rows of crosses marking the graves of Canadians and others left a lasting impression. Some high schools are now sending students overseas and I sometimes wonder if instead of going someplace warm some winter, I should go over to France and Holland with some of my family and take it all in. As I get older, I find myself more and more appreciative of the sacrifices made by others. (My parents are from the Netherlands and remember a little of the war) Has anyone here been to the Vimy monument and surrounding area? Your thoughts? Andy

I reck'n maybe ol' Jedd got mighty 'cited when he felt that little finn'd critter nibblin', likely thunk he'd tied inta a big ol' catfish and yanked on 'er real good.

My son caught one a couple years ago. There were gulls in the area we were fishing. It dove and latched onto a perch colored topwater just after it hit the water. My son just reeled it in across the water. It was caught on one of it's feet and in the beak. I put on a pair of rubber gloves and the hooks came out fine. I was surprised how little it weighed and how small it was under all the feathers. It flew off and never came close again that day. Andy

I purchased the musky rod in that line of rods last year and haven't had any problems with it throwing bucktails and smaller baits. I picked up a few larger baits this year and we'll see how it goes. So far, so good for an economically priced rod. Andy

Links of interest.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0309-08.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/am...;partner=rssnyt

Andy

Regrettably, there is a lot a valid concern regarding the potential of bio fuels, especially ethanol from corn. It has supporters in the farm community, as it creates new demand for corn and may bring stronger prices thereby reducing the need for government assistance for the farm sector. Unfortunately, these plants require subsidies to get established, and there appear to be valid arguments that ethanol costs more to produce than it is worth, even if the price of corn stays reasonably low.

It may be different we were able to produce ethanol from high volume, low cost biomass. (like I believe Brazil currently does) One artricle I read said the U.S. ( and I assume Canada as well) could import ethanol cheaper from Brazil than we can produce it, it's just that to do so would upset the U.S. farmer and fly in the face of the U.S. trying to wean themselves from foreign supplies of energy. The article stated that the U.S. ethanol sector could not survive if it were not for subsidies, tariffs, and other protectionist measures by the U.S.

It will be interesting to see if these ethanol plants are still runnung in 10 -15 yrs. Andy

I assume these drift socks are nylon? I was thinking one would be good for canoeing in Algonquin so you could bottom bounce in a canoe without being blown across the lake too fast. Anyone ever thought of a modification to make it a canoe sail too?

Do a "Google" search with drift sock and there should be a number of hits about sea kayakers interested in drift socks. Andy

Links to save and read on a rainy day.

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guar.../14/warming.pdf

http://www.scienceservingsociety.com/p/150.htm

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadA...le.asp?ID=12379

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/William...20/fire,_or_ice

No further comment from me really. I find Lowell Ponte's comments interesting, as he was one of the lead proponents of global cooling in the '70's. I also find the top link most interesting, as this scientist seems to think that regardless of whether we are or are not causing global warming, we'd be better off spending money to adapt to it rather than spend the same money trying to prevent it or reverse it. My last post on the subject. Peace. Andy

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdec.shtml?

Rick,

I don't question your passion about the environment. There are a number of areas where humans can make immediate improvements to proven problems with our environment with proven information and technology. The danger lies in lumping all problems under one major label. The claim that the weather is becoming more severe? Check out the link above. I know it is just one graph, but it certainly doesn't show an increase in violent hurricanes in recent years....If anything, the number of severe storms has been below average, yet the media would have you believe that every hurricane in the Atlantic is worse than it would have been if it wasn't fed by global warming.

The Star article is typical of current media hype, stating that global warming will lead to an increase in stabbings and shootings in T.O. Say what??? Where does that come from???

Stufff to think about. Andy

Thanks for the quick replies. I have a 15 1/2 ' aluminum boat. The one I'll get (Cabela's) comes in a 30" (medium) and 38" (large) size, both recommended for a boat that size. I'm leaning towards getting just one, the larger of the two. Better a size too big than a size too small, I would think. Andy

I was thinking of buying a drift sock to slow down the drift for walleyes over humps and flats. Anyone use them? Are they handy to use and worthwhile, or are they clumsy to use and used only once or twice before being put away?

Thx. Andy

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/195794

This is the type of headline and article I'm talking about. Yes, we definitely need to clean up our act, but how many of these claims are truth and how many are pure speculation and fearmongering? How much is a result of CO2 emissions, and how much has nothing to do with it? This article makes "global warming" the "be all, end all" environmental threat and I just think the environmental issues we face are a lot more complicated than blaming every issue on global warming, cutting CO2 emissions, and pretending we've saved the planet. Andy

I have a Lowrance and every now and then I forget to press "enter" after every change I've made. If you make the change and press"exit" to get back to the previous page, the change will not take effect. Is it possible this is happening? Andy

Very interesting video. I have just finished reading Michael Crichton's novel "State of Fear" and found it entertaining. It's fiction; however, the scientific references throughout the novel are factual. The novel points out a number of facts which seem to run contrary to what is becoming accepted as gospel in regard to global warming, similar to the video.

I'm all for conservation and the efficient use of all resources. It just concerns me that if a person now questions the theory of global warming, you run the risk of being deemed anti-environment, anti-conservation, pro-capitalist, and a pawn of big business. The ongoing study of the impact of CO2 on climate and the theory of global warming has in itself become big business. I find it impossible to discern what's fact and what's just a good news headline. Andy

I am putting cabinets in a small room I've torn down and rebuilt. It's going to be a walk in pantry. I just finished another room for my wife, basically it's a walk in closet. We got all the cabinets and cupboards from IKEA. For these rooms, IKEA is just fine.

A number of years ago, we did a new kitchen. (Beckerman) We've raised 4 kids and the cupboards have held up well. The doors, drawers and cupboards are still solid. I don't think IKEA would have held up as well.

In short, if you're on a budget, a little handy, and not to particular about style or longevity, IKEA is fine. However; the kitchen is the most used and abused room in the house, and I would suggest you take the time and check into getting it done by someone who does it for a living. Quotes are free, and they should be able to give you a reference or two so you can see or hear about their work. Good luck, Andy

Use the usual stuff for pike anywhere you see weeds and you should do OK. My son and I have had luck using crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Chartruese was a good colour a couple years ago. That being said, you'll be into the heat of summer and warm water, so don't be surprised if you don't see a lot of bigger fish if you're mainly casting in shallower water.

I haven't targetted musky there yet, but I think a search of old posts should bring up some info because there are a lot of guys with a lot of musky smarts on this board, and they are up there regularly. Beautiful area, one of my favourites. Try get a hydrographic chart before you go...lots of rocks, structure. Andy

I enjoy tinkering with the various reels I own,and have been getting a little braver as time goes on. This past winter, I opened up my Abu C3, Shimano Catala 201, Curado and Citica baitcasting reels for cleaning and lubrication.

The Abu was new this year, and I really didn't need to take it apart, but did anyway. It has the new carbon matrix drag washers and they are still as good as new, I just made sure they didn't have grease or oil on them as they are meant to run dry.

The Citica and Curado had the original drag washers and I replaced them in both reels with a set of Carbontex washers (CT200) from Smoothdrag. I lightly greased them with Cal's drag grease (also from Smoothdrag) and the drags are noticeably smoother.

The cost of two sets of washer and a small container of grease was just over $20.00 US. Not an expensive way to upgrade your reels and use up a cold winters day.

The Catala I own has much different drag stack than the other two other Shimanos are are not available in a set. That being said, I find Dawn at Smoothdrag to be very helpful, I sent her the measurements of the drag stack, and hopefully she can put together a set of drag washers for this reel.

If you are looking for a way to tinker with your tackle, consider replacing/upgrading your reel's drag. I would recommend a copy of the schematics and an clear workspace. I lost a tiny screw from my Abu, and had a heck of a time finding it on the kitchen floor. I'm really not too afraid of messing it up, because Aickmans in Cooksville has great service and I can always pack up the pieces and have it put back together by a pro.

I have also learned that I've been over lubricating my reels and that a little oil or grease goes a long way, especially as most of us are not fishing saltwater all the time.

The are a number of articles online pertaining to reel maintenence. (Tackletour site, Shimano site, numerous others)

http://www.smoothdrag.com/

Andy

I purchased an Abu c3 like you're looking at and am very pleased with the reel. Good value and if you decide to upgrade you're not out a lot of money and still have a great reel for whatever else. (backup reel, second rod...) Andy