Andy

I have accumulated a number of lures that I no longer use, mainly pike and bass stuff like weedless Rapala spoons, older Rapala rattle baits, older style weedless frogs, and more. Instead of hoping to sell them, does anyone how a fella can donate used lures to a club or charity so that kids could use them? Andy

I don't seem to have much of a feel with a sharpening stone either. I'll try it if the knife is an absolute mess. Otherwise I just pull it thru one of those red Rapala ceramic stone sharpeners/hones, and if I have it handy, I touch it up with a steel after. Doing this whenever I feel the knife isn't what it used to be seems to keep them sharp enough for me.

"and in particular that of Ecological Knowledge that has been passed down from generations over thousands of years is a loss not only to them but to all Canadians. Their connection to the land and water and their devotion to protect it is something I have always admired" Your admiration is based on a misinformed belief.

I purchased a 2006 regular cab Sierra new in 2006 and had it until just recently. Good truck, very reliable. But it had a lot of wind noise from the driver's door from day I bought it. Like Moxie said, I turned up the radio. I traded it for a new Ram. Man, are those trucks ever quiet inside. I only hope it is as reliable as my old truck. Andy

I'm with Moosebunk on this one, although I can't agree with some of the tactics used by Natives, i.e. Caledonia. So many issues need addressed for the betterment of all, but is the goodwill there on both sides? I don't see it. It seems like even the native communities can't agree with each other on many issues, unless they decide to stand against the common enemy of the government, then the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Maybe I'm naive, but how do you even begin to address the boundaries of a relatively nomadic people living 150 to 400 yrs ago, with no legal concepts or principles such as individual property rights, in an area shared by other native groups living on, and fighting over, or sharing, the same lands? But that being said, if a deal was made 200 yrs ago, a deal is a deal, and we need to work it out. And I don't think expressing an opposite opinion does not automatically make you a racist. The word is thrown about too freely. I know, a lot of words for two cents.

If it does end and I still have beer left in the basement, I'm gonna be really upset.

I did that shift for over 10 yrs, and will likely have to go back to it again in a few years. It's a jerk for me, especially as I get older. I was fortunate to have an understanding family, they knew Dad would be moody, especially on those quick turn arounds. Most good ideas covered above. 1. Don't let your coffee consumption get out of hand. 2. Booze can really take the edge off when u feel like crap, but keep it in check, it's easy to let it get out of hand. 3. Try eat regular, wholesome meals, even tho you don't feel like it. 4. Darkest curtains you can get. Make that room black. 5. A regular workout routine makes a difference. Good luck.

It is as simple as that, yet I know a number of long time anglers that I've had to point that you can't stockpile fish. I'm sure that they keep doing it. As for as fixing the problem, all involved parties are guilty to varying degrees. I was talking to a co-worker who had a native friend in his group of four on Nipissing last year. They each took home a cooler full of fish. I pointed out it out to him that he well exceeded his limit. He said that the group kept all they wanted because the native friend had told them that if they were checked by a CO he would simply say all the fish were his. I asked my coworker if he was OK with that. My coworker's justification was that they don't take home their limit every trip. (He considers his limit being 4 fish a day times the # of days at the camp!) Gee, I wonder why there is a problem. Disappointing to say the least.

That's simply not true, at least in my opinion. Nipissing is beautiful water, beautiful country. As far as the fishing goes, I've had great trips and I've had trips where the fishing wasn't the greatest, but it was always good for the soul. If it was just about putting numbers in the boat or meat in the freezer, I would need a new hobby. Andy

I recently purchased a couple of the racheting Bert's rod holders. I haven't used this type of tube rod holder before and was wondering if it would be a good idea to strap the rod and reel to the holder while trolling and travelling in rough water. There are commercial straps available, I was just wondering what others may use for this purpose. Thank you, Andy.

Thanks for update. I didn't know Starcraft was linked to the other two. I've owned 2 Smokercrafts and both were great. Upgraded to a bigger Starcraft and I absoluely love it.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1241237--hordes-of-raccoons-invade-germany Seemed like a good idea at the time?

Rub the wax used for preserves on the one end.

It is particularly disturbing given the drought in the US has pushed corn prices to record highs around the world. Ethanol is not as ecologically friendly as some people like to believe, and it's economic viability is questionable at best, espcially with today's corn prices.

Interesting. My friend has a camp on Nipissing and he has seen good #s of fish this year, I found the winter fishing really slow this past winter tho. I was up last week and near the middle of June and I was very surprised how few boats are out on the lake this year. I'm not saying the recreational anglers are innocent, I just don't see the few boats I saw out making a difference like a quota (how is that determined and accounted for?)of tens of thousands of kgs. Not slinging stones, just sayin'. Andy

You are fortunate in that you are only a short drive from Rocky's tackle service in Orillia, just off #11 at 10 Braemer I think. Go north on #11 past old Sundial inn lot at Sundial Drive, next exit turn right onto Huronia, follow along #11 until 3rd left onto Braemer. It's a dead end, look for sign on building on north side of road. Call to make sure i have directions right, going from memory and I'm tired. He is a Minn Kota service centre. I needed a new foot pedal and he fixed me up quick. Good prices too. Andy

Folbe. Love 'em. I do use the locking feature when trolling, takes just a split second to unlock the holder. Rollie and Helen's has them. I bought direct from the company. http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/22/page/1/id/1904/name/FolbeAdvantageRodHolders http://www.folbe.com/ Andy

We had them in our wheat way near Stratford a few years ago. I didn't need to spray, but a few fellows in the area did spray. Being a little further north, we usually get a heads up if they are getting close. Glad we don't have to worry about them every year!

Good luck with the new ride. My son and I just bought a used one yesterday as well. Spent quite a bit of time looking around, saw some that had been beaten up pretty badly. Paid a little more than I wanted to, but engine and interior look mint. I would also be curious how it tows. My lad thinks he would like to tow a boat occasionally as well. Andy

I think people should be more worried about what Facebook and other companies like that are keeping every time someone posts a message or photo on Facebook. You don't think those companies follow where you are and where you've been and use it for commercial purposes? You think that when you use "the cloud" that info stays in Canada?? Just sayin'.

I've read about them on other forums. A few guys love 'em, most don't seem to care for them. That being said, I've spent days fishing the latest and greatest lures available, and still come up with nothing until I switch to something that I have never caught a fish on before, so you might as well give it a shot. Pls post a picture if you get one on it!

I had two from Storm. They were cheap, plastics bled thru them, so I would never go with them again. The best one I have is the BPS brand that I use for spinnerbaits. The plastic trailers do not bleed thru, heavier all around.

I have a telescopic Mag Extra Heavy, 9'. It's the heaviest rod I own. I use it for my heaviest, hardest pulling baits like Bulldawgs, Curly Sues, double ten type spinners. The telescopic feature is great, it fits in the bed of my shortbox truck. Rod and guide components seem very solid. The cork handle is the thickest I own and I'm not certain if I like them quite that thick. The only thing that I kinda don't like is that the reel seat seems a little wide and the reel wants to sit off of centre on the rod just a little bit. I fixed this by jamming a piece of toothpick along the foot of the reel to snug it up on the rod. It can be used for trolling, maybe too stiff for some folks when it comes to trolling. I caught a fat 44" fish last summer at boatside on it, and the rod handled the fish beautifully. The extra length seemed to help keep the fish pinned, even on a rod so stiff. I purchased mine at Musky Tackle Online, and it was shipped to my home for around $120.00 total at that time. I consider them to be a very good value and I personally would rather by new rod than take a chance on a used rod for that price. I do have a heavy action 7' Okuma for jerkbaits, and I like that line of rods as well. They have telescopic rods too, and they retail for about the same money as the TI rods. If I didn't buy the TI rod, I would have the Okuma. Hope that helps. Andy

If he is drinking and has open alcohol, you will get a ticket as driver/operator. Here is the text from the Liqour License Act re; open alcohol on boat. **No person shall operate or have the care or control of a boat that is underway while there is contained in the boat any liquor, except under the authority of a licence or permit. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19, s. 32 (3). Exception (4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the liquor in the boat, (a) is in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken; or ( is stored in a closed compartment. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19, s. 32 (4). Search of vehicle or boat (5) A police officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that liquor is being unlawfully kept in a vehicle or boat may at any time, without a warrant, enter and search the vehicle or boat and search any person found in it. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19, Here is text that defines a boat as a private place which would allow consumption of alcohol. ***7) A boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, other than a boat used to carry passengers for hire is considered to be a private place while the boat is at anchor or is secured to the dock or land. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 718, s. 3 (7). (like an anchored houseboat) (8) If a boat is considered under subsection (7) to be a private place and is secured to a dock or land to which the public is not ordinarily invited or permitted then the dock or land is considered to be a private place except at the times when the public is invited or permitted access to it. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 718, s. 3 (8). I don't know how I got the smiley face in there, just ignore that. I don't know if a ticket would keep you out of the country. Andy

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1100528--ontario-breaks-temagami-pledge Not that I need more reasons to dislike the Liberals, but why would anyone extend a lease to a company like this? In an area like this? Anyone here live up there? What is going on? Sorta reminds me of the massive limestone quarry the province seems to be OK with being planned north of Shelburne.