T-Bone

I spent the better part of late-summer and autumn looking at and researching tents. I ended-up getting a Mountainsmith Morrison 3 (but will be used by only 2-persons). Not the least-expensive in the class, but had glowing reviews, great standard feature set and really couldn't get much easier set-up and tear-down. For a group of four, Mountainsmith has a model called the Conifer 5+. Most tents that the manufacturer says are for "three" are really perfect for two, and so on. I did give a good, long look at Eureka tents and have nothing but good things to say about what I found when doing my research...just didn't go that route. Both Eureka and Mountainsmith are considered 'lightweight' or 'backpacking' tents, but they're sturdy. If money isn't an object, you can't get any better than Hilleberg. Here's a link to MS site. Good luck. www.mountainsmith.com

Check out Anna Maria Island due west of Bradenton (just south of St. Pete, north of Sarasota). My dad there for 18-years and most of his condo complex was Canadians from October - April. I remember meeting them from time to time when I was down there visiting and always engaging in great conversations about fishing different areas of Canada, especially the Kawarthas, Haliburton Highlands, Chapleau, and Temagami. Literally, from his door, it was about 500-feet to the bay side water, about 1,000 feet to the Gulf side. Paradise... Good luck...

Same here on a St. Croix Premier...busted guide (my fault), whole new pole in replacement. Proof that you surely get what you pay for in the long run.

Sorry there Big Cliff...fast fingers caused a typo. Here you go: www.napoleonhouse.com

New Orleans, if you've never been, may take a bit of getting used-to. Not an entirely clean city and has this ever-present smell in the air from being in a delta, but there's some GREAT food and things to see. Not sure of your appetite preferences, but I highly recommend these two places: Gautreau's: Expensive, fine-dining, but probably one of the best meals I've every had in over 25-years of business travels. www.gautreausrestaurant.com Napolean House: Casual joint in the thick of the French Quarter; neat atmosphere in a building dating back to the late-1700s. Get the mufaletta and a cold beer. Good stuff. www.napoleanhouse.com On the other side, unless you want to go there just to say you went there, I'd skip Café Du Monde. One of the dirtiest places I've ever been, horrible coffee, and the donuts / beignets are even worse. Safe travels...

Huh? Who is to be held accountable? Let's see...if you're religious I suppose you can blame God. If not, blame Mother Nature. I can't see how "someone" is to blame...it's an act of God/Nature. Yeah...it's not good it took this long to restore your utilities, but the blame there is on the utility companies for putting you lower on the priority list. After all, they can only work so fast. Not sure how it works, but can your condo unit be rigged with a back-up power source? That could be an option for the future. And pneumonia and sickness is caused by viruses and bacteria...not cold. Those that got sick would have likely become sick anyway; there is the chance the lack of water to bathe in made a better environment to spread viruses and bacteria. Though, I believe, antibacterial hand gel is widely available to mitigate that risk. The effect of a natural disaster is unpredictable but clearly can cause enormous hardship. I just can't see how anyone is to blame...and events like this certainly can't be controlled. I believe it's incumbent upon each of us to prepare in advance of whatever is coming next. I've been there, and it's not fun. I guess sometimes you have to just chalk it up to 'live and learn'. That's what life's about anyway, right?

There is an arm of my family that has a private hunting lodge and cabins on about 3,500 acres nearer the top of the lower peninsula. Every year, 90% of the hunters get a buck, with an 8-point minimum to take a shot (self-imposed) and usually a couple 12+ brutes in the mix. Not sure where you're getting your info Misfish, but there's no shortage of big deer in Michigan. With that many hunters (80% of them novice or slightly better), the deer have learned through the generations how to stay out of the crosshairs better than you think and grow to be of enviable size in any area of North America. And it's not an actual holiday, but schools are closed and most non-hunting / non-tourism business owners and employees are out hunting.

I don't think you could go wrong with many of the suggestions...guess it depends on what you're looking for mostly. If I could "go anywhere", it would probably be up to Scott Lake Lodge...60th parallel...northern Sask. The whole package is first class. It's close to Wollaston Lake Lodge and Hatchet Lake Lodge...both of which were listed already and that I'd put as #2 and #3 behind SLL. What an opportunity...good luck! http://www.scottlakelodge.com/

Between birthday, holidays, and a couple gift cards earned though credit card points I've stocked-up some funds to upgrade my cold weather gear this fall in preparation for an active outdoor winter. With the ice fisherman on this board and a handful of active posters that live pretty far north I figured this group would know a thing or two about what cold weather gear / clothing is best. Primary application would be winter camping, trail hiking, and the odd ice fishing excursion. I'm specifically looking for brand / model recommendations on base layer and fleece layer, but all are welcome. Any insights you can provide on your proven cold weather clothing "system" are appreciated also. Thanks in advance for your insights...

Trail's End Lodge, Pigeon Lake, near Bobcaygeon. Heard from the owner a couple weeks back the walleye fishing is "excellent" this year. Pigeon is good for bass and muskies too... http://www.trailsendlodge.ca/index.htm

My understanding is that a steel fine tunes an already sharp knife...used right before you're ready to start carving to fine-tune that good edge. I've used this system to take knives that would be considered 'dead' in any drawer and return them to extremely sharp, knick-free blades. I would guess most people associate a "butcher's steel" as the one tool they can relate to sharpen a knive's edge and the company is using that as a catch-all to sell the system. Again...my experience tells me this is WAY more than a steel...it's a whole "dull to razor's edge" system. Good luck...

This is a very simple system that works really well; it can set poor / neglected knives straight and get them back to being very sharp and usable as well as hone fine knives to keep that razor edge on them. I've tried stones before and, like many of you, can't get the edge I'm looking for. This system is so simple and so effective. Check it out... http://edgemaker.com/

In all the years we've been fishing up on Kipawa I've yet to see the wx be what was forecasted the day before we went in. Last year it was supposed to be wet and unstable all week. In fact, we had 6-straight days of sunshine and light breezes. You'll know what the wx is going to be on Kipawa when it's happening...and not likely any sooner. Have a great trip!

Well...just read this online...pulled this from The Weather Channel. And yeah, with three huge tornadoes in the past 14 years it does leave you scratching your head as to why anyone would remain in that area. But, "home" is "home"...the good and the bad. In a region that sees more than its share of tornadoes, it also prompts a question: Why aren't more homes here built with basements? After all, Oklahoma City and its surrounding communities are part of the Plains region known as "Tornado Alley" for the frequency with which twisters strike here. It's a question that's being asked in the wake of yesterday's tornado, as well as back in May 2011, when an outbreak of 12 tornadoes tore through central Oklahoma. The answer is largely due to three reasons: area building codes, the amount of water in the soil here, and the generally high level of the water table, according to reporting done back in 2011 by MSNBC. As one commenter described it on the Prepared Society message boards, Oklahoma is a land of "clay soil and high water table."

Interesting...heard on Wx Channel it was due to the area being mostly 'rock' and that it's almost impossible to "get through". The area I live in is mostly clay and every home has a basement. Though I do agree with you on the water table being high can preclude a basement...like Florida or coastal areas. Either way, I'm sure there will be a spirited investigation into how those living in tornado alley can build/afford a purpose-built storm shelter below ground.

The only shelter from a storm like that is to get out of its way by fleeing or be fortunate enough to have an underground shelter. In that part of the U.S. it's difficult and extremely expensive to dig a basement as the earth is like bedrock....hence the lack of basements throughout those areas. Such a tragedy...

I ask because I'm interested in the prospect of the Kawarthas walleye fishing rebounding to a level that makes a 9-hour trip worthwhile once again to a beautiful area of Canada. It's a simply a question of what lake...not what depth, what presentation, what specific bait, what location on the lake, or even the fundamental structural element that is holding fish. If it's true that 90% of fish are in 2% of the lake volume, it's seems extremely unlikely anyone could 'steal' a secret with such a small piece of information. Never understood the secrecy of this kind. And agreed, if it's a back lake tucked away and off the main grid it's cool to keep it a close secret to only be shared with close friends.

Sweet. Lots of lakes considered in 'the Kawarthas'...which lake, if you don't mind me asking. And if that inquiry this draws the ire of the Board...sorry...but there are a lot of lakes and a lot of square miles of water and therefore seems like a reasonable question. I don't think it would give anything away necessarily.

Another good one that we've been to a few times is Pine Vista Resort on Stoney Lake outside of Lakefield, Ontario. Great kids programs (give the parents a break) and 'grown-up' programs if you want to take advantage of them. Nice in-ground pool and awesome beach area. Check it out... http://www.pinevista.com/

Cozy Camp Cottages on Lake Nosbonsing sounds like it'd be perfect for your needs. Good fishing...nice place...nice people. http://www.cozycampcottages.com/index.htm

I've got to ask fishindevil; you live in the heart of the Kawarthas, surrounded by lakes with plenty of water moving through, and you're thinking about driving several hours north to go fishing? What's up with that? Looking for different species?

Red Rock Island...lots of good memories of fishing and way pointing off of that. I know some owners up there and will see what I can find out.

I've been fishing Kipawa for 13-years and have never needed anything but a crawler or leeches and a few crank baits. As for taking your boat in there, I think it's a long, rough-ride from Temiscaming into the lake. Again, the kipawa.net discussion board has plenty of people that have been into BCC and know the road well enough to advise whether taking a boat into there is a good idea or not. Early-June...you'll be into the bugs heavy, but I'm sure you know that. As for lakers, we've caught them pretty shallow that time of year...20-25 fow on Kipawa. Not sure what kind of pike lake Sesseginega is, but I would imagine you're right...still shallow. And K-Jim...apparently I get around...just like you... . I love fishing and love the north...where else would you expect to find me in February?

From what I know they're a good operator...basic set-up, and getting to the camp is a bit of a hassle, but worth it I've heard. Lots of info on BCC and fishing that area of Quebec on kipawa.net. Several of the posters there go to BCC every year, and many have been to that camp before. Why Sesseginega versus Kipawa, Ogascanan, or others around there? Just interested. Good luck...

Ah...I have no idea how but I missed that before. Order coming soon...great value. Love the Odds N Ends area...