Bill Shearer

Welcome indeed! And you are correct, the smallmouth fishing in Erie is a bass fishing nuts dream! I won't be spoiling your fun though. Steelhead is my vice.

Welcome! I see you are from Tennessee! Are you mostly pike, walleye, lake trout interested? I have not fished there, but Drifter_016 lives and used to guide up there. I'm sure he could offer some great info. Dave is very knowledgeable about what works on those species.(as well as many others) Can't help but inquire about your username! Are they working well?

And that is the way it goes! Disappearing posts, and all will be fine. Pity!

The question asked was what would be the best to tow the Ranger, and be within his budget, between a V6 and a V8. No question in my mind that based on his budget the vehicles he should be looking at will need a V8. I have owned 15 F150s over the years. Most have had V8s. 3 have had V6s. All have been adequate, but the best one I have owned out of all of them is the 2012 V6 with the Ecoboost. The naysayers are welcome to their opinions. I am going to get another next year and it will have Ecoboost engine as well. The raw power available when desired is worth it to me. Acceleration is awesome! My fuel efficiency is 11.6L/100 km, in the warm weather, on cruise at 110km/hr, and 12.6L/100km at 110km/hr in the winter. Worse if I go 120km/hr. It isn't a VW Golf! It weighs over 5500 lbs with driver,tools, and box cover. If you are a right lane 100km/hr driver, and don't pass many vehicles your results will be much better. Gas and vehicles are expensive, and the price is only going up. If you are caught in the grind, and have to travel more than 100km to work each way/day, you really should look at alternatives. If it is a great tow vehicle you want, then you can't go wrong with the V8 full size pick-up, at least in my opinion. And if your budget allows, the F150 with ecoboost is the cats azz.

The Upper James store has never left me with a warm feeling. Even when they were beside the Pioneer! A very long time ago. But kudos to the Store in this story. His profits will be enhanced by his thoughtfulness in a time of panic for those 50 people that needed the generators. Merry Christmas everyone!

All those sleds are still a long way from my Olympic 24 hp. Skidoo! Can't remember the year, early 70s. Brings back a lot of fun memories. When I had that machine, no licenses were required, and you could drive them on the roads. Thanks for posting those great pics of yesteryear!

Rattletrap has it right, if you can't see power wires going to anything, then you will be good to go. Bathroom might be cold though.

I'm on my second pair of the Columbia Bugaboots. First pair lasted 4 years. I've had the ones I'm wearing now for 2 years. very warm and comfortable for me. Unlike the Sorels that have a removable liner, the Columbia boot doesn't, so every two or three days, I put them up on the hot air duct overnight to make sure they dry out the perspiration. Great boots!

One thing I have learned in crossing the 'line' over many years. "Answer their questions" and nothing more, since it only gives them an edge to ask another question. They want to know what the value of the boat is. If your receipt clearly shows what that value is, then submit it. If it doesn't, then get one that does.

After the postal strike was over, CP got rid of all the grey metal mail route boxes in our area. They held the mail for the carrier that did the 'to the door deliveries'. It was the drop box, so to speak. One large van would deliver the mail each day to those boxes. Then with all the money they saved during the strike, and probably a lot more to boot, they bought each carrier, one of the small Ford tradesman vans, that are made in Turkey. Makes sense right? They are now the grey boxes with wheels..lol Now in 5 years or less those vehicles will be toast, as well as the folks that drove them. And they can then buy 'super boxes' for us, all in the name of saving money. The biggest question I have is 'will putting the price of a stamp up to $1, cover the costs of the pensions/packages for those 5000-8000 people that will be retiring/leaving? I don't think so. I've had to the door delivery for the last 35 years. I will miss it, and the good folks that brought it!

Since BU has been in the navy, much has changed! It must be said though if it works for you, don't change it! For my personal comfort, I prefer a base layer of polyester/nylon, both long sleeve T shirts, boxers and socks. Then a polyester/merino wool layer, then polyester over that. Then a layer of Goretex to keep the wind out, whether it is raining or not. If you are wearing a floater suit, eliminate the Goretex. I love the products that Simms, and Redington have in their line-up! Mec have some great ones as well. The pricing is similar. A good source of Simms in the Golden Horseshoe is Sail. It is the best use of old water bottles I can think of! I have some pull-overs that I wear pretty much every day, in the house and out, that weigh as much as an empty water bottle, that are so warm it is scary! The heavy blend of merino wool socks are paramount for warmth in breathable waders and wading boots! To think I used to wear cotton sweat shirts that were twice as heavy, and half as warm! You have to rethink the whole process of keeping warm in cold weather, but it really is worth the journey, and THE COST! IMO

Rye, Forty Creek Liqueur, Forty Creek Creme, or Forty Creek Maple Scotch, Lagavulin! Very smokey and peaty. Not cheap! Beer, a dark, is my preference. Black Tusk from BC, or Michelob Amberbock, only in the US. Having written this, I'm on my third Forty Creek and Pepsi. It's all just great stuff!

I really liked rye whisky in all it's brands over the years compared to any other liquor. Used to drink Gibsons Sterling, -not bad. Did not like Crown Royal, too sweet, for me. A few years ago a friend introduced me to Forty Creek. I guarantee it is not like other rye whiskies. I haven't bought any other since. They also make a rye liqueur called Forty Creek Maple. Ohhh Man! Merry Christmas!

Someone had to be first! Well done!

Most small butchers know where to get them. Premium pricing for sure. For the last 20 years, I have bought off a Mennonite up Chesley way. He said that he will no longer be able to supply, since his kids are moving out on their own, and it's too much work to raise and kill/prepare the birds by themselves. End of an era, I guess.

I second both the mothballs and the mouse bait. Either bars or seeds. Never an issue in a barn stored boat, over many years.

Oh how things have changed, since the flat pans, and the cast iron frame of the evaporator. No one could make a cent rendering syrup that way anymore! I actually think the smoke and ashes, contributed to the overall flavour, of the product. None the less, times have changed, and great photos to depict the era.

Exactly!

Truly a great feeling! Kind of a pat on the back that in spite of all the crap that comes with being over-age, there is at least a benefit or two!

I paid my last fees for fishing to the Ontario Government last year. I even get a discount in NY now! Being old isn't so bad!

Many UPSstores near the border on the US side will receive packages from any shipper for $5-$15 depending on the size of the shipment. Plus $1day storage. They will also email you when it comes in. If you are within an hours drive it is often worth it. I use this option when the retailer won't ship to my PO box.

Love the Polar bear image!

From where I sit, I think ALL the mods do a great service on the forum. It truly is not an easy UNPAID job! (Been There!) They are all individuals, and human like the rest of us. Some of the members here seem to enjoy seeing a guy twisting in the wind, at the end of a rope for his transgressions. This guy in particular is going to pay! Others think he has been judged and paid the price for it, and decide to move on. I'm of the latter group. FWIW.

I've been using a Lakota and a Gerber for many years. The Gerber holds the edge the longest, the Lakota has the best shaped blade for smaller fish. Krixxer is correct about the sharpening system. Get one you can use easily

Comes down to trust. Both ways. I've never been burned, maybe next time i will be. If I'm selling, I expect payment first. If I'm buying I send the money. I've done some transactions up to $1000, as far away as Georgia. So far so good. If the deal you are getting sounds too good to be true, just step back. If it's reasonable, then I'd say go for it. But thats just me.