Spiel

Ganaraska Flood Advisory Cancellation 01/26/10

Not as well as I hoped to being doing at this point Jacques. I may have under estimated my ability to recover. Thank you for asking.

Thanks Phil, you're also an artist of sorts. Everybody has to be good at something besides drinking beer. Buy them, no but I might be able to get a few out to you before opener. I may be at the Fishing Show but not to sell anything, strictly buying, they'll have beer right? Thanks Mike. I hear you, epoxy can be messy. I have been playing with Swiss Straw for wing casings and legs recently as seen here.... http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.p...t=0#entry423385 Ice fishing is good but you need to get back to the vise, tonight and tomorrow night and....! The end of April will be here before you know it.

Not just any "Ol Milwaki" he prefers a warm Ol Milwaki.

Yeah, I tried (unsuccessfully I guess) to make that point previously in this thread.

Looks good Bruce. I too spent a better part of the day (after fly tying) in the kitchen making a big, very big pot of homemade turkey soup.

You could have lost that "Golden" Jacques and you'd still be having a better ice season than me. However you didn't and that obviously made for a fine meal.

Yeah we should all have the 2 boat dilemma. I have a 17" tiller, love it. Lots of floor space for 2 or 3 anglers.

Thanks again everyone. It is fun passing the time away trying to create something realisitc but for the most part these are just too time consuming to fill my fly boxes with. Well maybe my boxes but that's it. No completely different Dan. On the previous fly the antennae and bead are assembled first then attached to the jig hook like so.... On this one I worked from the back forward using a regular fly hook. But if I do another I'll build the antennae in first then procede to work from the back forward. Thanks Doug but I have seen some truly amazing flies out there. Part of the enjoyment with this is that there's always room to improve ones skills, it's addictive. Ron and Wayne, yes I could. Do you think I should. Too late for that Bernie.... $$$$$$$

You're spoiled, you're both spoiled. I'm sorry that the weather didn't cooperate for Leah's sake. Perhaps a trip to Arizona to visit 2R's is in order. They probably just don't understand that the fuselage generates no lift.

Very, very nice. Are you using an airbrush Bushart?

Would you like me to make some barbless ones Roy? I wonder if there is a union for fly tyers. Thank you Jacques, muchly appreciated. The wings cases I made using the mid back feathers from a ringneck pheasant. I applied a thin coat of 5 minute epoxy to the top and bottom sides before trimming to size and shape.

I'll take a mess a lakers that size anytime and the walleye aren't bad either. Oh and I'd say that looks more like an 18.5 gallon drum.

First off I hope I'm not boring you guys with these? I've been tying quite a few flies, mostly on jigs heads and jig hooks and I could post dozens of pictures but for the most part they're nothing special. But inspired by douG's comment on my last stonefly post (I know he was kidding) I tried for something more detailed on a regular fly hook and thought I'd share the results. I kind of messed up by not leaving myself enough room to work in the antennae, I'll get 'em next time.

MNR says reorganization won't affect services January 22, 2010 www.nugget.ca Organizational changes at the Ministry of Natural Resources won't affect services in North Bay, a spokeswoman told The Nugget Thursday. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters issued a media release this week stating it is reserving judgment on "unprecedented realignment" of several divisions. It said the Natural Resources Management Division, which houses the fish and wildlife branch, has been eliminated with fish and wildlife responsibilities divided between two new divisions, policy and provincial services. Jolanta Kowalski, senior media relations officer at the MNR, said all offices remain open and will continue to provide the same range of services. "There will be no local impacts. There will no job cuts or relocations," Kowalski said in an e-mail. "Some staff may report to a different manager or see the name of their branch or division change but their duties won't change." OFAH executive director Mike Reader said it is "regrettable that the one branch anglers and hunters most identified with has been splintered. Obviously we are concerned about the marginalization of fish and wildlife, and by extension, fishing and hunting." Kowalski said the ministry still has an MNR Fish and Wildlife Services Branch, which includes functions such as Great Lakes management, fish culture and client services. "Wildlife and fisheries policy will be handled in the new policy division. This internal realignment will give us a stronger ability to develop and deliver policy, modernize our processes and better co-ordinate the services and operations we provide the public," she said.

Thanks guys, that's some pretty high praise. I must admit I'm also pretty good at "beercap twisting." It's not a long list Jon but I do have several rods to deal with before I take on any new orders. Perhaps we could talk further about it in late spring. LOL....A 10" version uh, not sure I could get the appropriate hook into the vise.

Copied right off the home page..... General Discussion Talk about fishing, hunting, the great outdoors or whatever you like in here! Keep it clean!

Like I need a reminder of how old I'm getting....LOL Thanks randy. Well I'm not yet 50 Bruce I'm wondering if you were alluding to this....?

Those look great Kinger, some nice colour combinations.

I believe the word was "retarted" Cliff but I agree, not only "harsh" but also uncalled for.

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated. There's certainly no lack of methods and materials for making flies. I'd love to see some pictures of your work. To be honest here I've only tied 6 of these flies and as yet none have seen water. My Grandfather who taught me to tie was an adamant believer that impressionistic patterns were all you needed and I tend to agree with that. Besides they're way easier to tie. Made in China. You still hanging onto that rod. I've seen the line on your reels Farmer, you wouldn't get it through the eyelet. I may be up for some whities next week.... ? Sounds intersting. May have to add an extra day or two, to the week. You want to buy the first half dozen. I'll elaborate a bit here on why I tied them. As I noted in a previous post it's been over 20 years since I tied any flies. In my post surgery boredom I dug out all my equipment and sat down at the vise to help pass the time. A long time friend who has helped me in many ways over the years stopped in to see how I was doing (post surgery) and I showed him a few flies I had made. Now him being an avid steelheader he asked if I would mind tying a few jig flies for him, I said "sure, no problem." I asked what he wanted and he said he'd drop off a few patterns he had for me to copy. In the mean time I decided I would play around (time was on my side) and see what I could create for him. I wanted to give him something different and real so I came up with the fly posted here. Now I don't care if he uses them or just keeps them as a novelty but I will tell you if he wants and endless supply of them cause they're nailing fish he can have them and he can have them at no cost for as long as he likes. I may even carry a few in my own box but for what it's worth I'll stock my box with much simpler patterns.

Search and Rescue Training on the Grand River January 14, 2010 LAURA WIKSTON / www.dunnvillechronicle.com Learning to save lives is serious business. On the Grand River last week, 11 Haldimand County firefighters trained in ice rescue techniques before performing their practical and written tests on Friday. Stations No. 1 Caledonia, No. 4 Cayuga, No. 9 Dunnville and No. 10 Byng, took part in the training program. During the testing, mistakes were considered to be unacceptable. "If the performance is not up to our standards, they fail," said instructor Paul Tarsintano, bluntly. "There's no if, ands or buts." Tarsintano has been teaching the ice rescue course for 11 years. He works part time at Advanced Rescue Techniques School of Canada, the rescue division of Equinox Adventures, and full time as a Toronto EMS paramedic and is part of the Marine Unit Ice Rescue. Haldimand Fire Services Deputy Chief Rick Smith said the search and rescue training and testing allows the 11 firefighters to be certified to the ice rescue technician instructor level. "This is basically training the trainers. Later this month, and in February, we will have these trainers train other firefighters." The practical testing took place behind the arena, close to the dam. Smith called the open water, "Perfect for training." "The water there looks calm, but it's very deceiving and dangerous because the ice is thin and there's a current." Smith cautioned the No. 1 person that dies during an incident in the water, is the would-be rescuer. He also spoke of the dangers of cold water. "After one or two minutes in the water, a person is so cold, they start breathing rapidly, gasping, and begin to gulp water. After 10 minutes in the water, you begin to lose muscle function." "Ice is never safe," Tarsintano warns. He advises people to use caution when on the river. "Before going out, contact your municipality for regulations about the thickness of ice." Smith suggests also asking about safe ice conditions at local businesses that rent ice-fishing huts, such as Steve Hardcastle's Fish Master Ultimate Bait and Tackle in Dunnville. Tarsitano said the first rule in ice rescue is "Safety for all. Then we execute the rescue." Both men said they strongly advise people to wear flotation vests and carry ice picks, which are widely sold. "Not enough people do, but it's getting better," said Smith. Jeremy Crysler, a fire fighter for Station 9, said the hardest part of the training was dealing with the cold. "The training is going very well, though. Working as a team makes getting in and out of the water a lot faster." Carl Forrest, of Station 1, also found the cold the hardest part, but said the rescue suits worn were very warm. Miles Tuthill, of Station 10, said constantly pulling ropes throughout the week during mock rescues was very tiring. Trainees were tested in self-rescue, using floating rope and ice picks. They were also tested in 'patient' rescue with two firefighters alternating rescue duties of a volunteer patient. As well, they were tested on rescuing a patient with the aid of rapid deployment crafts and rescue stretchers. Haldimand Fire Services uses rescue stretchers from local business International Stretcher System. The stretchers are used world wide for land and water rescues. Smith said Equinox also supplies different types of equipment for trainees to try out, so that fire departments know what is available. Smith said Haldimand Council has made a significant commitment to the search and rescue training program. Stations 1 and 9 will be getting rapid deployment crafts this year, while Stations 4 and 10 will get them next year. At the bow and stern ends of such crafts are openings, which allow patients to be pulled up into the craft rather than hauled over the side. Near the end of the practical testing, Tarsintano said the trainees were performing "very well." Smith indicated they had a lot to learn and demonstrate. "They have to prove themselves." He said, matter-of-factly. Photos

Conservation officers hitting the ice Jan 18, 2010 / Sudbury Northern Life Greater Sudbury anglers are reminded that ice fishing requires a fishing licence and area ice huts must be registered. Registration of huts is free. File photo. Greater Sudbury anglers are reminded to pay attention to the 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary before heading out to area lakes to fish this winter season. According to a press release, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) conservation officers are conducting enforcement blitzes in the Greater Sudbury area throughout winter. Anglers who intend to fish on Greater Sudbury's frozen lakes are reminded a valid fishing licence is required for winter fishing, and all ice huts must be registered. There is no charge to register an ice hut, and it can be done at any local MNR office, explained the release. The 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary is available free of charge at Service Ontario and Government Information Centres, from licence issuers, and online at www.ontario.ca/fishing. Anyone with information about natural resource violations are urged to contact the MNR toll-free at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667), or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 675-TIPS (8477).

Boat show keeps businesses afloat Jan 14, 2010 Bruce Hain / www.innisfiljournal.com Dreaming of summer breezes. Ted and Barb Dallimore are planning to sell a few of their watercraft at this year’s Toronto International Boat Show. / Bruce Hain We may be still be digging out from under more snow this week, but a number of Innisfil businesspeople are thinking of summertime already and writing up dozens of orders at the Toronto International Boat Show. The show started last Saturday at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place and ends this Sunday. Ted Dallimore, owner of Sandy Cove Marine, said he participated in his first Boat Show in Toronto 48 years ago, the same year he founded his business. Being in the show is a must if you want to be a player in the business, Dallimore says. “If you’re not there, you’re not in this industry,” he says. “You go to test the market to see what’s happening.” “It’s a show you have to be in,” agrees his wife, Barb. This year, Sandy Cove Marine has three booths in the show, including the company’s latest initiative, Sandy Cove Recyclers. “My son, Scott, and his crew have been setting up since Tuesday morning (January 5),” Dallimore says. “By the time the show opens, it’s like a city has been built.” Being a part of the show can be quite a financial undertaking. “I figure it’s costing about $150,000 to be part of the show,” Dallimore says. “There’s the cost of three booths, a dozen people to put up in hotels for 10 nights and the expense of moving 25 boats up and down the highway. We’ll have to write $1.2 million (of sales) to break even.” Regardless of the cost, attendance should exceed 100,000 this year and the exposure gives Sandy Cove Marine, and the other exhibitors, a first-class format to display their wares and talk shop with others involved in the industry. “I’ve even had people I’ve sold to from Ireland, who bought two boats and shipped them back,” Dallimore says. Dan Doig of DockInaBox says, “What does Innisfil have to do with the Boat Show? We’ve got more boating businesses in such a small area, with a huge footprint at the show, than any other localized area in Ontario.” Doig says his company has expanded its booth this year to join other major local exhibitors such as Doral Boats, Legend Boats and the Dallimores. The Toronto exhibition is “an excellent medium for us,” Doig says. “The show looks good and everything is positive. We’re looking forward to a banner year. Our expanded growth has meant we’ve almost doubled the size of our booth and we’re showing more product than ever before.” Doig is 20-year veteran of attending the Boat Show in different capacities. “We have a real ‘Boating Alley’ here in Innisfil with a lot of involvement with the boat Show,” he adds. “A lot of the visitors to the show drive by us every weekend to and from their cottages.” Highlights of the Boat Show, now in its 52nd year, include a giant indoor lake, larger than a NHL rink, along with hundreds of exhibitors, a variety of entertainment and demonstrations. The Toronto International Boat Show is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, seniors 65-plus are $12 and a two day pass can be purchased for $25. Kids under16 free when accompanied by an adult. The Boat Show is sponsored by Princecraft, Mercury the Toronto Star and CFRB. For detailed information, visit www.torontoboatshow.com

Boat launch could generate $50,000 for town Jan 14, 2010 Nicole Million / www.midlandmirror.com MIDLAND – Midland councillors are split on whether to start charging user fees for the boat launch at Pete Pettersen Park. The existing system allows residents to use the launch and park in the lot for free. Non-residents can launch their boats at no charge, but are required to park elsewhere. In a report to council, Bryan Peter, director of parks and recreation, pointed out other systems have been tried over the years, but none has been completely satisfactory. Fees for residents being recommended by staff for the 2010 season include $15 for a daily pass, $20 for a weekend pass, $35 for a weekly pass, $90 for a season pass and $350 for a commercial pass. Non-residents would be required to pay $18, $24, $45 and $115, respectively. Peter cited a five-year, $600,000 plan to expand and improve the parking and road system at the park, which is located off Sunnyside Drive. He suggested fee revenues could be put into a reserve to help fund the “long overdue” project. “With over 500 stickers issued in 2009 to Midland residents, we estimate $40,000 to $50,000 could be generated annually,” he noted. “The municipal boat launch is one of the few services provided that does not have a user fee.” This isn’t the first time such a recommendation has come before council, noted Mayor Jim Downer, as council debated the issue at its Jan. 11 general committee meeting. “I will not support fees for residents using the boat ramp,” he said. “I get (the need) for fees, but a lot of people can’t afford to pay. I would hate to see us start to charge residents. I think it’s a mistake.” Coun. Bob Jeffery pointed to past failed attempts to implement similar fees. “When we first did this in the ’90s, out-of-towners (hogged) the lots,” he said. “The big problem is going to be parking. I don’t want to charge residents for parking or launching.” Coun. Pat File disagreed, noting the town charges people to park in many other sites around the municipality. “We charge to park downtown, we (charge for) permits … so I think this is perfectly reasonable,” she said. Coun. Zena Pendlebury added, “We ask people to pay for whatever they use. User fees are nothing new. It’s going to cost big bucks to do the work, and the money has to come from somewhere. I don’t see it as unreasonable.” Downer countered user fees could put access to the bay out of reach for many residents. “I am trying to preserve the only spot that’s affordable for anyone to come and launch their boat and take their kids fishing,” he said. Council has asked staff to report on several different scenarios before making a final decision.