fishinggeek

Yes the police can enforce provincial laws like our fishing reg's, but as far as I know, you don't need a fishing license to tow a boat with fishing gear in it. And because you're not fishing or are in any possession of sports fish, you do not need to produce a license when asked by an officer. In the end, this incidence didn't seem to do any harm. But I was watching a show that had a defense lawyer, and he recommended giving as little info as possible if the police are suspecting you did something. He was saying we have certain obligations, such as producing a drivers license when we are stopped on the road (or a fishing license when fishing), but if the police officers asks us other questions, we often don't have to answer and answering may be to our detriment. If a police officer asks if you were fishing earlier, I doubt you have any obligation to answer that. You probably could've just given your drivers license because you were driving and that's it.

I agree. I wouldn't think you have any legal obligation to answer the fishing question.

Nice one! Weight probably depends on how big the belly was, but that one looks like a healthy one. Congrats!

Love my crank flashlight, but not sure it's "watertight" like the Safe Boating Guide says it should be. Am I wrong? Dont' want to try it underwater to find out.

I like simplification, but I don't think this is the right one. I think what happens when GM lays off works is beneficial to society for 2 reasons. First, their organized labour causes a labour distortion in that many people would gladly do that job for less, but they can't because the relatively small number of higher paying jobs are already taken. Second, because GM workers are relatively better off than the ones who'd do it for less but are without a job, they polarize the local income, driving up local prices, and making the non-auto worker even more poor on a purchasing power basis. This double whammy really hurts the local worker that was not fortunate enough to land an auto workers position. And while this displacement certainly hurts these workers, but about the other welfare effects that happen simultaneously? I already mentioned how local labour was not on even ground before, so after the layoff, things are more "fair". Also, if you look at welfare in terms of how bad some of the worst people are, this more-level playing field can only be a good thing. Another benefit would be how GM vehicles can be priced relatively lower now for us consumers (though I'd personally never buy a domestic car myself), which also leads to more money flowing through the economy. To me, if other countries are making the same (or better) product for less, let them and buy it from them at a better price. I know I'll be telling my children to choose their careers carefully, always invest in themselves, and prepare for uncertainties. At this time, we have a huge deficit in the amount of tradesmen needed. This is good, honest work and I'm glad they're making such a comfortable living. Perhaps some of the displaced should consider re-training into trades.

Yes I heard about the Air Canada employees as well, and that is one industry I would not want to be employed in right now. I think when bad things happen to certain people, they are very apt to think the economy as a whole is bad, which is a bias (though a rational bias). I'm sure this happens on the other side, where people might think everything is amazing if they happen to be one of the lucky ones. I think these events of industry-specific unemployment send a strong signal for its workers to re-evaluate their options. Especially if the unemployment is structural, like in the auto industry, they should really think hard about changing careers, such as learning a trade or otherwise going back to school. Maybe this may be a better option than fearing the worst and waiting for the end to come.

Good work!

So pessimistic! I know people often disagree about where the economy is heading, and I would tend to disagree. Though we had a recent softening, I think that we're going to have a strong economy on average. Raising gas prices are not solely based on the government's ad valorem taxes, but also largely on the relatively high oil prices. And as Canada is a net oil exporter, higher oil prices leads to higher income for Canada, on average. This might be a problem if this income is overly polarized. I think the shedding of jobs, particularly the manufacturing ones, is a good thing. We just can't compete with other countries in manufacturing. Trying to keep them is really beating a dead horse. We should be redeploying into industries we are good at, like oil/gas/natural resources, financial services, tourism, etc. I guess it's a matter of perspective. Personally, rising gas prices hurt me a little (I don't drive too much) and outsourced labour helps me with cheaper consumer prices and more choice amongst foreign goods. Economic change inevitably effects different people differently. What's good for some is bad for others, and vice versa. I just think the net welfare effect of both rising oil prices and outsourcing manufacturing to offshore countries are beneficial to Canada.

Might be a dumb question but do we have the option of not being able to receive text messages? I'm not good with phones, but I'd rather just turn off all text messages on my phone as I never use them.

Good stuff and thanks for the link. The Safe Boating Guide is also available in pdf format that you can download or print.

Fang that rules. I'll see if I can pop and and have a look. Thanks.

Thanks to Pinch and DB for quoting the law before one poor soul starts ranting about an unlawful boarding! I didn't know that either. And thanks to Lew for that great tip of leaving a photocopy of the proper papers in the boat at all times. Good advice from OFC yet again.

Lew, what's the box look like inside? Are there wires to hang baits as well?

Yeah I'm not sure about jealousy either. I've never fished one, but seen it on the tube, and it's not something I personally want to try. I'm sure for the most part they're good folks, but bad apples are in every bunch. Unfortunately, ccmt seemed to have found a rotten one. What I don't like about them is they'll wizz by you at warp speed while I'm fishing, which is fine as no one owns the waterways. But when I go by them while they're in a tourney, they get all up in a fuss sometimes, or at least it seems that way to me.

Lots of generous offers and help for the ever-so-nice ccmt. Can't wait to see the pics of the job.

I'd have a heart attack if I saw that thing "lunge" at my bait. Might I ask what you caught it on? Congrats to you!

Amazing report. Looks like a blast, and what a beauty pike! I hate it when the mrs outfish us!

Yes kudos to LeBaron! That rod/reel combo might not be enough to chuck the really big baits. If you're set on that one, I suggest starting with the smaller muskie baits, things like 6' Grandmas, 7' Believers, 1-1.5 oz bucktails or spinnerbaits. Those should be fine to cast with heavy non-muskie gear. If you want to move up, try borrowing someone's big crankbait, jerkbait, swimbait, or whatever and see if throwing it with your setup is good. These baits can be 3 ounces or more, and chucking them with lighter tackle is pretty hard on your body and the tackle.

I'm always surprised by how generous OFC folks are. Good for you MRM! If I had some marine ply or sheets of metal, I'd offer some up too but I don't.

Looks like a bag of laughs with a few fish in the bag! Definitely worth the long drive up from Bama...

Nice fish and report. Love the scenery shots. I have to get myself up there one of these days.

Thanks everyone so far, and keep em coming! I'm getting a new boat and motor, so maybe I'll wait near the end of the season. I don't mind taking "last year's model" as long as it's new.

Ready to pull the trigger on my first boat package, but I can wait if the price is right. Is it cheaper to buy boats around Christmas or sometime later in the winter, or are the prices the same all year around? I never shoped around before.

Great report! I've been skunked all but one times while fishing Lake O gators. Everything I see a report like this, I realize how skilled and experienced you guys are.

Thanks for the recipe! I hope to try it this weekend.