wormdunker

Awesome story Mike. I love reading your adventures! Too bad we get older & little worn down for that type of adventure. I used to sit on a 5 gallon pail on Simcoe all day for a feed of perch. Oh & I walked 2 kms to get to my spot. A little older now - On Tuesday I have an outfitter booked for a trip. A ride out with his Argo, heated hut, & a 1 night stay at his Inn. Yah I can only dream of a trip such as you just shared.

That is totally wrong! As stated in the article, many people rely on wood heat due to remote location, financial hard ship. Does that mean when I visit my favourite outpost camp I have to freeze in late September because a wood burning stove is the only source of heat. I know - I'll bring an electric blanket?? No hydro there either.

Relative to the economy? It dictates the economy!

Here I thought I knew everything! LOL! You can tell I've never caught a cucumber fish! Well actually I did. That was many years ago.

Yah Harbour Freight. Me bad - Fast Freight?? My sin in law has one. Great for small haulage jobs. Or in your case more importantly - a fish hut!

Chris Brock must be a redneck. (Jeff Foxworthy). Awesome heater! How were you able to cut an opening in a propane tank without explosion?

You'll never see polypropylene rope on my boat. Braided nylon only.

Manitou - While I was in the oil sands, upper management was saying it's $40.00/barrel to break even.

GBW - You can buy the tow bar at BPS, Sail, Grimsby Tackle, Erie Tracker & most other guys that sell flip overs. Install 2 heavy duty (3/8") eyebolts & away you go. I would advise some better quality hooks on the tow bar. The hooks from the manufacturer are rather el cheapo. My flip over came uncoupled from my atv once. Had to go back 1 km to get it. Good thing this happened on Erie. It was still there when I returned! If it was Simcoe I'm sure some other dude would be riding around with my Clam full of gear!

Are you serious? Smells like cucumber? You're jerkin my chain??

Fisherman has the right idea. 2 part line will double the power you are able to pull on a single line. I'm a crane operator. If my crane winch has a line pull of 30,000 lbs, install a single sheave block to now make a 2 part line the rigging now has the capacity of 60,000 lbs. His idea of a huge rubber band is also good.

Yah Brian, I have the manual for early thinner ice, when it gets over 8" thick I pull out the Jiffy 9" with stealth blade.

Chris I forgot the cup (beer) holder. How do I go about getting an OFC decal?

Rusty Ironmaker - You must be Italian. You always got an angle!

thanx Rick. It's all good. Gotta laugh at cheaptackle. I did such a good job on the camo paint, he can't see the pix! LMAO I just used a dado blade on my table saw, went very slow & carefully. 2x4s fit very snug to the 2x8 blocks. Thanx

That's awesome Simon! Looks sweet! The fish are not safe any more!! I'm eyeballing a 700 Grizz. I had a new Polaris 500 in 2012, sold it after hearing of the cold starting issues while out in the middle of the lake. I hear nothing but good reports for the 700 Grizzly. Have fun!

I've read numerous posts about guys building their own Smitty, heard also how easy they are to pull while walking. Yesterday I got out the tools & went to work. Here's a couple pix Manitoubass was so kind to post for me. Thanx Rick. Later today I'll throw a coat of paint on the bare wood. It looks crappy. I did the camo paint on the box 3 years ago. I'd like to replicate it if possible. I like the camo paint job, so I'll be able to sneak up on the fish! LOL!

I filled up the other day in St. Catharines for 79.3 /L. I feel the pain of motorists who are paying $1.00 / L. When gas was 1.30 /L it cost $180.00 to fill my truck. 143 L tank - OUCH! I'll never complain about gas prices, since I've been working in the oil sands. In 2015 my income was reduced to 50% of 2014 due to massive layoffs in the oil industry. As HTHM stated low oil prices have crippled the economy of Canada! My company employed as many as 40 crane operators in 2013 & 2014. Today there are only 4 operators at work!!

Awesome video! I love it! The shots from the camera sitting on the ice are amazing! Underwater video really got my heart pumping. Thanx

Your pix are awesome! I love all the windows! 3 patio doors. Windex cleaner company must love you! LOL!

Awesome job Dan! I love it! Is your trailer from Fast Freight?

The parking issue sux! I'll book an outfitter & park for free in his lot. $30.00 parking ticket will pay for part of the outfitter's fee.

Manitou - I need a detailed tutorial - how to post pix? Please help. PM me if you will. Thanx. In return I'll email you some filletts! LOL!

I'm building a Smitty Sled today - I would like to post some pix.

I don't have a problem with installing a trigger lock on my 12 gage. It's a cheap way of abiding by the law. If nothing else, it will keep a child safe as stated above & slow down a shady person with ill intentions.

Thanx for the warning. I hope lottsa guys read your post. Many people do not realize that when they access the ice in the morning it's all good, only to return later in the day to find the ice has opened up & you're facing 6' of open water between you & shore. Scary!

With friends like that - you don't need any enemies!

All good points Rick thanx. I do have a question? "Unthaw"?? If you freeze a chunk of meat, it is frozen hard - RIGHT.

If you thaw that piece of meat it is soft - Right?

So if you "unthaw" that hunk of meat? What are you actually doing? Think about it. Let me know what you come up with. LOL!

Sorry, I got too much time on my hands! Waiting to go ice fishing.