cheaptackle

Camo paint worked so well that the pictures can't even be seen.... Michael

Sure you're not clicking on one of the adposts? Michael

Guess the onlookers had a different idea Brian - took a turn by the bluebird launch on my way back from town this morning, they're parking on the street cause they ain't no room anywhere else. Out on the lake looks like the portable hut version of the ice fishing scenes in Grumpy Old Men - it's a zoo out there!!! Even Cooch was well populated by the Curling club, and airport rd west of rama rd was full too. My shoreline is even wetter than it was yesterday, guess it's just wet if there's that many out there. Even looks like some snowmobile tracks pretty far out but I can't say for sure, don't see any machines out there. I just hope that all are checking and double checking to be safe, rather than a bunch of lemmings have followed one daredevil! Remember it was just about 3 weeks ago they were water skiing out there! Michael

Came home - walked down to the shore & turned right around to go in the house. Observations - my shoreline is wet including where I tested yestereday - water level is up a bit again. However, on the south shore west of the bluebird launch I can see several portable huts and maybe 1 large permanent are out & people walking around. No sign of any machines though so maybe the large permanent is a real large portable. binoculars can't see thru the trees so good ha ha! Be safe out there! Michael

Welcome LTF - if I wasn't both bored and curious myself I mightn't have dared even that little bit, but...cabin fever ya know! I'll check it again tomorrow as well as off the floating dock my other neighbour left in - it's about 3 feet deep there and 25 feet off shore so it should be a bit more representative of conditions. Michael

Welcome Brian - have to admit the pucker factor was quite high, normally wouldn't be an issue in just a couple feet of water but even that was intimidating with this bum arm. I figured it was close enough to shore for it to be given a try and was REAL glad it held up. Hopefully it will be a lot thicker and more solid by the weekend, think we'll have the temperatures for it. I won't be partaking this season tho, even a slip and fall would be devastating to me right now, mightn't do any damage but guaranteed to be most definitely painfully hurtlikeasumbitch unpleasant (ya I can scream too!). Michael

OK - water rose again overnight so there's soft water on my bit of beach, then the thin new stuff. I stepped on to the ice from some rocks where it's a couple feet deep and it felt pretty firm, so I gave it a bit of a go and walked out a step or two (brave - that's me NOT!) giving a couple hops and listening, no cracking noise and I didn't break thru. Couldn't see any open water other than at the beach, snow coverage is not significant, a few inches at most I'd say. If I really had to go fishing I'd take the next step and test it out with a spud and decide from there. Can't use one right now so that's all I can offer - if you're gonna risk it be smart about it. I'll stay inside and use the binoculars instead. I'll check again Friday afternoon but I'm thinking it can only get better from here. Be safe! Michael

We didn't get hardly as much - maybe 3-4" - those squalls stayed south overnight. I'll try jumping up and down (gently) on the shore ice this afternoon when I get home. If that's ok I may wander out a bit. Or not. We'll see... Michael

Lake rose up with all the rain - shoreline very wet/open/slushy where I am on the north shore a little east of the old trailer park. If it stays cold it should firm up - might even be good ice out a bit but I won't try walking it until the shore firms up. I'll post again friday afternoon with what little I can - with my arm being buggered up right now I can't take too many risks - as in if I do break thru I mightn't be able to get back out. Michael

Just snuck another look out the window - they've moved out to deeper water. Can't tell if they're catching anything, but if it were me out there I think I'd sure be "puckered up"! Not my idea of a relaxing day. Michael

Guess the two guys out there right now don't mind standing in the water that's on top of the ice...hope it's worth it for them! Michael

I believe its 32 new homes going in there - interestingly called My Rama Lakefront (hmmm...) My boss did the clearing & put the road in. It will be a private road strictly for the development as I understand it. Good thing about the trailer park that was there being gone is that it took a ton of boats off the lake, much quiter now. Sad thing was the year rounders that lost their homes. And yes Stepan is a surfactant (soap) plant that has had a number of owners including Domtar over the years. Don't know what triggered them to determine to close the ramp based on "finding they owned the land". That'd be something to hear I think. Didn't see anyone out there fishing today - can't see the whole lake from where I am on the north shore. Michael

We got a notice about the launch by the Stepan plant when they closed it (not before - WHEN!) The Stepan plant closed the Longford Mills Rd. access when they discovered it was on their property. The one oft repeated word was liabiltity, which is perfectly understandable these days even though the many many years prior to their discovery of ownership were absolutely free of any concerns. Reality is if someone got stuck launching a boat and tore out a tranny doing it they could go after Stepan for not maintaining the launch. As for the other launch I'm not sure what's up down there. But from what I read and hear it's happening all over the province. Michael

Make sure you check it good - I've only looked from the shore and upstairs with binoculars, haven't (and won't) venture out with this bum arm, can't take a chance like that. I'll leave the exploring to someone who can have a better chance of getting out in case the worse happens. Good Luck and be SAFE! Michael

It's out there, closed up completely overnight (was open in the middle yesterday) - more than that I ain't gonna say. Don't see anyone out there either - probably a good sign it's a bit early yet... Michael

Ya I found a lot of real good stuff there like I said. Everything from the cheapest to the best and in between. I wouldn't use the pool noodles for floatation like a lot seem to like - but do watch what they say for real marine flotation, primers, sealants, hardware and lumber - like pressure treat is ok to use IF you follow what they say about separating it from aluminum (epoxy coats etc.). Also some good prep methods, specifics on coatings and on and on. Just add a little common sense and maybe a little extra research and you're pretty much guaranteed good results. Hope y'all do a picture report on your efforts! Michael

Watch that tax stuff - if there's hst in Sask you'll pay it - I lost that argument bringing in stuff from the east coast, prior to hst here I got it tax free - once the hst came on board in Ontario the price went up. Michael

I've found a lot of good stuff here - scroll down a bit to see the forum topics. These are actual real projects, many with in depth detail and photos. Good luck with yours! http://forums.iboats.com/ Michael

Why are you even clearing the trees out Chad? Insurance would take care of that and the car too would it not? Michael

So it's YOUR fault... Michael

Everyone's entitled to an opinion - and to express that opinion. Just as disagreeing is also entitled. Not sure where you might want to go with this considering the context of the op's question and what you are offering in reply. It sure doesn't seem to have any bearing on what the subject is about. Michael

I MAY be out to lunch here but can't it be ordered in special thru either LCBO or the beer store? Michael

From what I saw on radar last night there was heavy bands going west east from g bay right from washago to g'hurst. Michael

Figured something like that - you forgot to put the option in for them to overpay you, then you ship them the stuff and send them the change ... and have the original payment be a fraud so yer out the goods, the shipping and the "change". Michael