Spiel

Isn't that pretty Brian. It only looks like that for a few days after painting before the dirt and grime makes it all but disappear!

Here's a view from my office window. That would be me lowering the coil down into the left hand side of the yellow area.

WHAT, you mean it's not real.

Come to my house and I'll give you one or I can put you in touch with a guy out your way.

Thanks Geoff, great looking dog just the same.

Hey Geoff, is that a Flat Coat Retriever (or perhaps a Flat Coat mix)? I was looking into getting a Flat Coat before Brook came my way, free, and I'm happy to have her. But I'm still thinking there's a Flat Coat in my future.

A lot of great looking dogs here. A more loyal companion I'm sure most will never find. Thanks to all for sharing.

Three million litres of oil spill from pipeline into Michigan river July 28, 2010 / www.thespec.com BATTLE CREEK, MICH.—Southern Michigan residents are learning that devastating oil spills aren't limited to the Gulf Coast. Crews were working Wednesday to contain and clean up an estimated 877,000 gallons (3,319,708 litres) of oil that coated birds and fish as it poured into a creek and flowed into the Kalamazoo River, one of the state's major waterways. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm toured the area by helicopter Tuesday night and said she wasn't satisfied with the response to the spill. The leak in the 30-inch (76-centimetre) pipeline, which was built in 1969 and carries about 8 million gallons (30 million litres) of oil daily from Griffith, Indiana, to Sarnia, Ontario, was detected early Monday. "There needs to be a lot more done," Granholm said. "There are not enough resources on the river right now." Granholm declared a state of disaster in Calhoun County and potentially affected areas along the river, which eventually bisects the city of Kalamazoo and meanders to Saugatuck, where it empties into Lake Michigan. Officials don't believe oil will spread past a dam upstream of Kalamazoo. The cause of the spill is under investigation. Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge Inc.'s affiliate Enbridge Energy Partners LP of Houston initially estimated that about 819,000 gallons (3,100,161 litres) of oil spilled into Talmadge Creek before the company stopped the flow. But state officials were told during a company briefing Tuesday that an estimated 877,000 gallons (3,319,708 litres) spilled, said Mary Dettloff, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. As of late Tuesday, oil was reported in at least 26 kilometres of the Kalamazoo River downstream of the spill. Company officials said the spill appeared to be contained and oil wouldn't likely drift much more downstream. Enbridge crews and contractors are using oil skimmers and absorbent booms to minimize its environmental impact. "This is our responsibility," Enbridge's president and chief executive Patrick D. Daniel said Tuesday evening in Battle Creek. "This is our mess. We're going to clean it up." Many area residents were surprised to learn that a pipeline was so close to the Great Lakes river. "I just can't believe they allowed that to happen, and they're not equipped to handle it," said Owen Smith, 53, of Galesburg. Smith lives near the river and stopped at several points far upstream on Tuesday to see what might be headed his way. The air was pungent with the smell of oil, but health officials said they so far were satisfied with the results from air quality tests. Groundwater testing was expected to begin soon. Still, health officials warned residents to stay away from the river, saying it should be closed to fishing and other recreational activities, and irrigation. No injuries or illnesses have been reported, but a few households near the spill had been evacuated. Enbridge said it had about 200 employees and contractors working on the spill, and a centre was being set up to help ducks, geese and other wildlife coated with oil. Local, state and federal agencies also were involved, and the National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation. U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, a Michigan Democrat, said he discussed the spill with President Barack Obama. Schauer called the spill a "public health crisis," and said he plans to hold hearings to examine the response. Obama has pledged a swift response to requests for assistance, White House spokesman Matt Lehrich said. The river already faced major pollution issues. An 80-mile (130-kilometre) segment of the river and five miles of a tributary, Portage Creek, were placed on the federal Superfund list of high-priority hazardous waste sites in 1990. The Kalamazoo site also includes four landfills and several defunct paper mills.

I also have Quantum Kinetic PTi Joe and had the same issues with the anti reverse. To be honest it's my fave spinning reel and has served me well, used and abused for years. When the anti reverse went I didn't want to have it collecting dust so I ordered a new anti reverse bearing from Aikmans. Cost was about $18.00 plus shipping and was an easy fix. Reel is as good as new.

Way to go Dawson, you're already a better angler than your Dad. I'm glad you had a great trip Marty and I'm sure Dawson will be talking about it for the next year.

Thanks Paul.

TOAST, IMHO.

I get a few visits a year from Don and Ruth, always welcome and always good company. Are they on they way down for striper fishing Paul? I usually score a fillet or two when they do. Mmmmmm, stripers, nice eating fish.

I've never used top water for night time walleye but I have had great success using 3.5" and 5" Bomber Long A's. A slow and steady retrieve over rock shoals or weed beds was key. Colour was not important.

Exactly, like Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie "Twins."

I can see myself sitting under that having a cold beer.

Not sure if this is the picture you're referring to Dutchy? But if it is, I believe that's 100% Cutthroat.

Do these carp smell like dog urine.......

Good morning all. I just came in from taking Brook for a walk, it is a beauty day. I have work, but it's at home work at my leisure.

The direction is not as important as the wind speed. Even a brisk northerly wind can make it rough if you're far enough off shore.

I love dogs, great companions and there's some beauties here! I think most of these pics of my little girl Brook have been up here at least once but I'll throw them up again. This was her first steelhead venture (November) at 4 months old, covered in mud, burrs and water, stayed with me back and forth across the creek and never balked. Funny now she won't go in the water now. Her first winter at 6 months. Wearing her new life jacket out on the big Lake O. Guarding my gear and staying well back from the creek bank so as not to spook the skiddish browns. And guarding me, well sorta, while I had an afternoon nap at Lakair this past June (photo courtesy of Joey). She just turned 3 a week after this picture.

BRIGHTON, Ont. – The body of a drowned kayaker has been pulled from the waters of Lake Ontario. Northumberland OPP said that three Brighton, Ont., men were kayaking in Presqu’ile Bay around midnight Friday when one of the men fell into the water and didn't resurface. An extensive search was conducted in the area where the 29-year-old fell into the lake. OPP canines, a helicopter from Canadian Forces Base Trenton, locals with boats and police divers were involved in the search effort, which ended Saturday morning when the body was spotted, recovered and transported to the coroner. None of men were wearing lifejackets when the kayaks tipped, police said. Police have not said if alcohol was a factor in the drowning. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday. http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/07/24/14816956.html

I can't begin to fathom the amount of thought put into that comment.

I think I'd want to move too, or at least extend my vacation by several months. Nice report, I hope there'll be more.

Well I'm always happy to hear that Mike. I hear that Fish Farmer gave you a local lead on a rep, I hope that works out for you.