fish_fishburn

Thanks for that Drifter. Frontier camp does look like a a great place. Now with over 75,000 members on this board (I think) and nobody has fished Lake Athabasca? Is it really that polluted? This is the first time I have heard that the Tar Sands are causing this. Maybe you guys know someone who has fished there and can share their experience.

Myself and four buddies were sitting around talking about a fishing trip to take and Lake Athabasca came up in the conversation. We all went our seperate ways and started looking into this destination. I have checked a few camps on the lake, some are out of Fort Mac Alberta and some out of Saskatoon Sask. I'm thinking it would be better to choose an outfitter out of Alberta since they have no sales tax. Anyhow we met yesterday and went over some information and one of the lads suggested we take our dads with us and we agreed and now were a group of ten. Has any of you OFNers been there and where did you stay? How was your experience? We are planning to go late August 2012. So far I have checked out Lakers Unlimited camp and Lake Athabasca Lodge as well as Indian Head Camp which is the newest camp and looks promising. I want to take the 7 day package but the lads are suggesting since we are taking our old boys with us the 5 day plan might be better. I told them I would be asking you guys for info cause I am sure there has been a few OFNers there in the past. I mentioned Plummers camp on Great Bear Lake in the NWT but I think the boys wanna give Lake Athabaska a shot first, and its a couple grand cheaper than Plummers. Can't hardly wait to hear what you guys have to say who have been there. I know one thing the Lakers and Northern fishing on Athabasca is second to none, just need to figure out where to stay while were there. Thanks in advance. Mike.

Oh my gosh. When I read R.I.P. John F, I instantly felt sick. I have never met John but last summer when I was taking my Real Estate course he pm'd me and offered to help out in any way he could. He mentored me throughout the course even when he was so busy running his Brokerage and flying around the province teaching Real Estate courses. I bombarded him with questions and he always got back to me the same day. He would ask me when my exam dates were and on those dates early in the morning I always got an e-mail from him saying your well prepared Mike so go ace that sucker...good luck. As each exam went by he was as happy for me as I was for myself. When I finally passed my final,I told him my high marks were all because of him and I was so grateful for what he had done for me....a complete stranger at that. I promised him that I was going to get him out in the bassboat for some awesome largemouth fishing this summer to thank him. I still have every email he sent me and refer to them often. They will always stay in my mailbox. Just last week I was wondering why I haven't seen John on the board lately and was going to send him a quick note to say hi and let him know everything is going great in my new career. I know he would of loved to hear that. My condolences go out to his family and friends at this terribly sad time. Rest In Peace John Francis, my friend I never got to meet.

Been there done that, only once. I have a 8 inch red and white believer that somehow came in contact with some plastics. The plastic in the believer got these protruding dime size boils on it and I thought it was done. It seems to catch more Northerns now then it ever did. Maybe cause it looks so sick.

There great till the novelty wears off then there more of a hassle then anything. I used mine in the fall winter and spring months then shut it down and emptied it once the bugs and summer rolled around. I personally find a sauna is better, turn it on when you want to use it and turn it off when your done.

My 175 EFI Merc shop manual says 80 lbs. I have had it on and off so many times over the years that now I just tighten really tight with a 1/2 drive rachet and never a problem. You must be able to bend at least 3 of the lock washer tangs upward to keep everything where its suppose to be. When you find the prop your going to keep, after a few times out bend the tabs down and snug the nut up again, bend the tangs back up and your good to go. Some marine greese on the spline is always a good thing as well.

If the boat has been looked after and garage stored its entire life then you might have a good boat. Does it come with the motor controls? If there Merc controls dont go and buy a yammy cause the controls will set you back. A boat that size... I would look for something in the 200 hp range because nothing sucks more then an under powered bass boat. I have seen lots of boats that age that are in great shape because they have been stored properly. Like anything if its been ridin hard and put away wet it usually aint pretty.

Thats awesome.

Theres an oil filter on a EFI? Where would that be?

Heres what you do. Make some new chili for your chili dogs and take some extra buns, dogs and the old chili to work for the lads.

Any guy that signs that probably enjoys stag and doe parties as well

My buddy dropped his cordless phone in the kitchen sink that had water in it. Put it in the microwave to dry it out for 1 minute. Checked it when the beeper went off and it was a pile of melted goo. We were drinking beers at the time.

I only drink Tims coffee unless somone else buys it for me. It's not because I'm cheap, just being polite. I don't buy their coffee because it's got a burnt taste. Poor coffee if you ask me.

Stoty take her down to the Ford dealer and get her a new Taurus SHO there not very expensive and she will love ya for it.Problem solved.

Is the 45 lb motor a 12 or 24? If its a 24 volt it should be adequate. I had a 55lb 24 volt on my 19 ft bass boat for years and it was fine. Eventually I replaced it with the 70 lb 24 thats on it now. I'm sure some will come on and tell you its not enough but if your on a budget it will do just fine on your rig.

Pork fat rules...

I bet Billy gets right pissed off if he ever gets his feet wet.

Just a quick reminder. Always warm your motor up before taking off. Especially you guys running Opti's. The easiest way to grenade an Opti is taking off with a cold motor.

I second exactly what Wayne said. On my 15 th season and never an issue with bearings cause I use Bearing Buddies. So they must work.

they dont know how to make good beer....that goes for whisky as well. just saying.

I have the same problem Art with my 96 Nitro Savage. The Teleflex twin rack cables are getting stiff and have to be changed. If I'm not mistaken the replacement cables would be about 320.00 plus labour to change. I was told them old cables can be a real bugger to remove. My mechanic said the motor definitely has to come off the boat to give him more room to remove them and to avoid any accidental scratches etc to the motor. I was contemplating maybe going to hydraulic steering since I have lots of room inside the battery, gas tank area to store the extra equipment. I am not sure what hydraulic system to use or how much it will cost to switch over. Any suggestions on this would be awesome. The boat has a 175 EFI merc on it. I am asure there are some members who have already done this.Thanks

Ford trucks are the best. Enough said.

Some people think they should be treated like ROYALTY just because they are spending a few bucks to go fishing. For myself, all I want is the guide to have decent equipment for me to use and show a good work ethic to get me onto fish if the bite is slow. I don't need the red carpet treatment when I show up. The same thing goes when I rent a camp for a few days. It doesn't have to be the Taj Mahal I just want a place to sleep and cook a meal after a hard day on the water. Oh, and when using a guide, he should have good communicating skills as well. I usually go with the attitude of not expecting much, and usually am not disapointed.

Sorry boys, but that was a clean hit. Chara was just doing his job and not letting patches get by. When your on the ice you dont know where the glass starts and ends, everything is happening so fast. I have played alot of hockey in my day and have been on both sides of a hit like that. Just the way it is.

I have the ACER LIQUID it's a really cool phone, and has a really decent camera as far as phone cameras go.