speedtroll

Hi Raf the Costa's are great. the 570's (all glass) don't scratch. Period. My Daughter stepped on them HARD last year after i had owned them for 3 years. Nothing happened. not a scratch. she is almost 90lbs. that was enough for me to go get a second pair. i like the amber rather then the blue for fishing skies and pike. i like the blue for big water salmon/eyes you can get better deals on ebay. Take care Speed

Hi guys I need to make a repair this weekend. where can i get some? any idea on cost? Thanks Speed

Well boys After a few very rough years I have decided to blow the bank and treat myself (and the girlfriend) to a well deserved (if i do say so myself) vacation in beautiful Costa Rica. Tarpon fishing is something that I have always wanted to do and so I told my girlfriend it was time we went. Unfortunately she could only get a week off so I said why don't I head down a week early and get that nasty fishing business out of the way first and then she could meet me down there for a tour of the country. (white water rafting on the east side, tour of the volcanos and jungle tour on horse back in the central basin, the 5 days on the Pacific beach with an island hopping trip on a catamaran. she agreed bless her wonderful heart. I figure I will need a month or so to recoup. I am heading to Silver King Lodge which is supposed to be the best Tarpon Lodge down there. Anyone have any experience there or just Tarpon fishing in general? I am going to take some tackle musky rod down and give it a whirl. They do supply gear but just wanted to feel one on my gear. should be fun. OK that is enough drooling guys. I am taking the movie camera so when that huge shark takes a run at one of my Tarpon I will post it for you!

It still feels like a nightmare, even though this has gone on for 5 1/2 years I was still not prepared. We had the funeral for the little guy yesterday. I pray none of you ever have to go through that. I have not been able to be round much the last couple of years but I just wanted to take the time to thank OFC especialy Spiel for going way above and beyond to make Chris's last couple of years as memerable as possible. Thank you for the beautiful flowers. We were inundated with kind thoughts, prayers, fishing tackle, rods and many, many offers of to take the kids fishing. More offers then we could ever hope to be able to take advantage of. I just wanted to thank everyone for everything you have done for my family and myself. I can never begin to tell you how much it meant to us. These were some of our most treasured memories. I would like to say more but it is just too raw right now. God Bless all of you and God Bless Chris. Rob

Hi guys Other then a dealer, where would you go to get a good used 80 - 100hp 2000 or newer 4 stroke. Preferrably a Yamaha. Thanks guys Speed

Hi Brian Good to hear from you. That is a bit far for me. I was hoping to hear of some place in the KWor Toronto area. Seems funny but i have search the internet and have not found very much close by. We're hanging in here. The little guy is having a real rough go right now. Hope all is well with you. TTYS. Speed

Hi guys Getting the boat out this week and I need a couple of the "sleeper" type fold out seats. Can't find much on the NET in the Kitchener /Toronto area. Anyone know where to go?\\Thanks Speed

That's Great Aaron Thank you so much again. Been tough to get to the computer lately. I showed the Kids the pics. They were thrilled but I think I was more thrilled. Take care and thanks again to everyone. Rob, Chris and Nicole.

Hi guys I got all the pic's but unfortunately I am emailing from the hospital with Chris. Chicken Pox! Could always be worse. As soon as I get back I will post. If I can figure it out? Aaron, feel free to post them if you have a moment. They are fantastic. (even if I am a little BIAS) TTYS Rob

Hi Folks After Rick and others put together "a Summer to Remember" for my Son Chris and many attempts at getting out on the water, we finally were able to schedule a date with Aaron Shirley last Friday for some Bronte Salmon. There were a few dates that had been worked on but had to be resheduled due to Chris's health. We were up at 3:30am to make the launch at 5:15. We had a great day despite the cold front and stiff north wind that had moved in over night. Aaron was as gracious (and tolerant) a host as anyone could ask for. He was bombarded with questions from the children and myself. I am quite sure that he is now having serious discussions with his better half about having his own children in the near future. LOL And I am not going to mention the couple of times the kids and I accidently bumped the throttle and gave everyone a start. The morning started off a little slow with one solid strike and miss (way to go DAD) . Very good fish. The strong wind and crazy currents made it very difficult to read the water. Then around 9:30am the moon went down and things heated up. Chris got a 12lb steelie followed shortly by Nicole's 9-10lb steelie. Needles to say the kids were thrilled. Aaron saved my bacon as I had left the camera at home. When I get the pic's I will post them ASAP. We then got an 8lb coho which gave a very good account of himself. Then a short time later BANG! The big one of the day hits. It is a very good salmon and Nicole (with a little help from Aaron) is on it like a pro. During the battle rod # two goes off. Now it gets very interesting as we have a 25lber and a 13lber on in very choppy conditions. With most boats, this would have been a disaster with 6 lines out but Aaron was a magician between him and I holding onto rods while the kids reeled like mad and steering the boat we managed to only get wrapped around each other once. (amazing) Both fish were landed and pictures taken and fish released. Then a very short time later, one of the wire rods goes crazy. Another very heavy fish. Likely bigger then the 25lber takes off and doesn't stop until over 425 feet of line are out. Start the long process of reeling him in. He made a run to the boat so I grabbed the rod from my daughter and reeled like a mad man. About 100 feet into the boat the line went slack. This is the second big fish of the day that "Dad has lost". Now I really get it from Nicole. Dad, I want Aaron to help me reel the fish in from now on, you loose too many! OUCH! LOL About 30 minutes later, another big fish hits. Chris and Dad are on this one. By now the kids are getting very tired and they can hardly reel the fish in. It is another 20 +lb fish. What a day! Chris reels while Dad holds the rod. It was cute to watch. It also peeled off a couple of big runs. The kids were just thrilled as these are by far the biggest fish they have ever caught. Again, it was caught, quick photos and released. By now it is early after noon and both kids are exhausted and laid down and had a little nap in the front of the boat. I should have got a picture. The wind was blowing up again so we called it a day. All in all we were 6 for 8 with two 20 +lb fish in very tough conditions. Aaron, again, it was a real treat to fish with a true professional. And thank you again to everyone involved. We won't forget this. Rob, Chris and Nicole

Guys Every so often, (when I am home using Explorer usually) When I try to Pm someone, I will get an error message and explorer shuts me down as soon as I open up. It happens about once a week. Tennessee guy is experiencing the same thing at Anglers kingdom today. Anyone elese have this problem? Speed

That is definitely on my top five things to do is fish with Marc. (And soon) The man does nothing but catch lots of big fish day in day out. Nice fish Roy. Good to actually see that mug of yours again. Been way too long. Speed

Yes Brian We did enjoy your pain. (just a little!) That is an interesting way of catching trout. But I think I willl pass on that one. Look on the bright side, had it been a musky with braided line, you would have lost your finger entirely so what are you complaining about? I told Brian he was whining like my ex. This was just after he was giving me a rough time about taking so long to reel in an 7-8 pound sheephead. Yes Brian they do fight harder then trout. AS an interesting after thought, the trout of mine that you were so determined to let escape (interesting netting technique) was a skamania. And the little critter that you gave me a hard time about catching was magnificent on my plate that night. We did mark far more fish at Glasgow then I did at Erieau a three weeks earlier. And they were amazingly shallow. most caught in 40 - 50 ft of water, 20 down. All in all a great morning despite the wave action. Slept very well Saturday night! We will have to do it again. Speed

He is doing amazingly well Pigeon. Thanks for asking. You will see him when Spiel posts the pics. It has been a real tough go but he has lots of energy and loves to fish with his Dad. What more can I ask?

My buddy Mike gave me a call Saturday to see if I was up for some fishing. I think he felt sorry for me as my boat has still not been out musky fishing this year. Just rebuilt the big motor and the kicker died the first time out. :wallbash: Anyway, I had the kiddies so we all headed to Dalhousie Sunday morning. Wind was a little hairy to start and only got worse. - - It was the kids first time out on a big lake. They were really excited. We toughed it out and I am glad we did. Mike was setting the first rod and a 5 lb bow smacked it before he had it set in the holder. Nicole got it in. We reset it and just set the second line in the rigger and a nice little 12 lb king did his best Mike Tyson impression. It was Chris's turn up. What a trooper. He told Mike that he could not reel any more but with a little encouragement he finished the job. I almost ended up in the drink as a nice 6ft wave hit the boat just as I leaned over to net the fish. By this time I am really thinking God has a very large problem with me fishing for some reason. Got that line reset and set a third in the rigger and it went off as we set the fourth line. I grabbed the rod just as another large wave hit and I slipped just as I set the hook and lucky me, no fish. By this time I decide to religate myself to stearing the bloody boat. Hooked three more small salmon all within the first hour and 15 minutes and the waves had made Chris sick so we pulled up and headed for port. Not a bad way to spend a morning. we would have caught a lot of fish had we been able to stay. Marked a lot of fish and bait. Hopefully Spiel can post the pics I sent him. All in all can't argue with not being able to keep 4 rods in the water. I wish I could say that every trip. Speed

Hey Bud Should have bought a Starcraft! LOL!! Nice fish. Give me a call sometime. You owe me a trip. Speed

Wat to Mike. Very pretty fish. What a way to get on the board. Speed

Thanks again Chris Also a big thank you to Skiel and Lorne. Chris, if Lorne is not a board member, please pass a hearty thank you along for us. You guys never cease to amaze me. The kids are going love them, but I don't think they will undersatand and appriciate the effort that went into them like I do. Great looking rods. I don't know what else to say. Speed

I am truly sorry to hear that Lew. Both of you will be in our prayers. Take care bud. Speed

Thanks guys. Hey Brian, I am good. The kids are doing well. One of these years we are going to have to get out fishing again. Hope all is well with you. TTYS. Rob

Hi guys I am looking for the best place to get new piston rings and gaskets for my 89 Merc 80hp. I have a line on a place in the states but would prefer local. Any suggestions? Need to order ASAP. Thanks Speed

Hey Sandy Is Adam still alive? I missed you guys at the Odyssey. Hope all is well. RAF HOLY %$&&. Nice trout. I see JP has kept you busy. Should be a great Pike opener with the water still so cold. You should hammer them up there. Make sure you guys post some picks. TTYL Speed

You guys/gals never cease to amaze me. Again, many many thanks. Rob, Chris and Nicole

I know a lot of you have been wondering how Chris has been doing and I apologize for not being able to be around more but we had some wonderful and quite unexpected news from the doctors at Sick Children's last week. He went through his monthly battery of test (CT, MRI bone, blood etc.) They found that the tumours have shrank significantly. They have no explanation. I am just thanking God and everyone who is praying for him as I am very sure that it helps. He is doing quite well considering he is still taking chemo treatments. He is not out of the woods by any stretch and the chances for a full recovery are still very remote, but it is sure better then the news we were getting before Christmas. I want to thank all of you for the PM's and the emails and most of all, the prayers. Take care Speed

hello all I haven't been around for a long time. Just spending as much time with the kids as possible , while trying to keep the business afloat and the ex off my back. (great life) Just to give a quick update, we had a great christmas together. Chris was in good health. I took two weeks off and we had a blast. I got him a mini ATV (birthday/ christmas present) The kid is a natural (maniac). However, two weeks ago he was rushed into the hospital with a bad blood infection and we have been there ever since. If they can't get a handle on it by the end of the weekend, they are going to take him down to Sick kids. This warm weather has just played havoc with a host of viruses floating around while his immune system is depressed. It looks like we are going to have to keep him out of school now which is going to be tough on him. Anyway, thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers. I know it helps a lot. He is one tough little dude. Take care Rob