Ainsley

I like jetbeam flashlights. They hit a good price/value point for me. I like surefire as well but their pricing is quite a bit higher. That said my most used light is my zebralight headlamp.

I, like quite a few here, use a dobyns 704cb graphite for jerkbaits.

I'm partial to Michelin tires. I have a set of x-ice on my subaru forester and it is a little tank in the snow.

I tow my 2000lb 1971 sea ray with my '04 subaru forester and have no problems launching. I've launched the same boat with a buddy's jeep liberty and it just spun the rears until I put it in 4x4. That is what I love about the subaru AWD, don't need to switch into it when it's needed, it's already doing it's thing before you even think about it. As a side note 2000lbs is the max tow rating for my forester so I don't tow it far, 5-10 min to launch and back and never on the highway.

Beauty piece. I'd love to see some of the internal grain on it. Could make a lot of sweet knife handles with a piece like that.

Aplumma, I really like the santoku and pairing knives. Do you do your own heat treat? Here is an assembly picture of one of the three racks I made to hold plano 3700 series trays, I don't have any finished pictures right now. Two were made to hold fasteners in my dad's and my shop and one is to hold my tackle. Here are a couple more projects, I don't really build furniture, more just random ideas and projects. Wine barrel coat racks, I sold all but two of these of 10: Mounting pieces made of Ipe (to match the existing teak) for my boat, I also made the trip from Ipe

Here are a few of my blades, not all completed:

My dad has always been a radial arm saw kinda guy, they're great for wide cross cuts! If I had room in my shop I'd probably get one but I get by with my makita mitre saw and rigid tablesaw with a cross cut sled.

Great looking pieces. I'm in the process of turning my garage into a shop. I do a mix of metal and woodworking, I even make my own knives.

I use a calcutta 100dc and my cranking rod and it is one of my fav reels. Really bombs them out there!

If you moved a plug wire and it stopped the shocks I'd suggest replacing all the plug wires. Usually not that expensive and should improve the performance of the motor if they are so far gone that the insulation is braking down enough to cause the shocks.

I like bark river for fixed blades and spyderco for folders. That said I make my own ;-) care to try a hand made custom?

That was an awesome morning on the water Matt! Thanks again. I still can't believe that largie weighed in at only 5lbs.

Peter's tackle in st. Kitts used to carry them, when I was there today they only have one left. Otherwise I think fishing world in Hamilton carries them.

Any suggestions for bass lures or tactics?

The property is right beside pinney's point apparently. Good point on the trolling setup, I got a tekota 300LC late last year so I'll spool it up with some braid and throw it on a spare rod. Should I just be flat lining or try a 3-way or bottom bouncer? I'm assuming a dipsey is overkill? I have a pretty good selection of muskie baits so I'll try tossing some around.

Awesome! Thanks for all the tips so far. I plan on bringing five 3700 series trays in my tackle bag and maybe a few extras so I have enough stock when I find what seems to work. I'm going to bring setups for deep/medium cranks, jerkbaits/topwaters, plastics/spinnerbaits, dropshot, and muskie casting. I am kinda pissed because I broke my fav. rod last weekend (dobyns DX744) and won't have a replacement in time. Will I have enough luck casting or should I bring a trolling setup or two? I generally fish the Niagara river or cottage country lakes and it sounds like the Ottawa should be fairly similar.

The family's property is between Shirley's bay and Constance bay as far as I can tell. I only have three days up there so I need to make them count.

I will be heading to my wife's family's cottage along the Ottawa river this weekend and need some fishing tips. I think the cottage is located upstream of Ottawa and down stream of the dam. I'm wondering what species are available, my understanding is walleye and Muskie. I'm primarily a bass fisherman so I'll need some technique tips for walleye. What is the depth, water clarity/colour, and primary forage around the area? I'm not asking for your honey hole (feel free to PM me any spots you would suggest) just general information. Apparently there is a tinner up there I can use and I will be bringing my portable fish finder. Thanks in advance.

I use westcomb rain gear and soft shells. They're designed and made in canada and VERY nice. Also quite pricey but they can be found on sale. Another suggestion would be arc'teryx, marmot, or other higher end hiking/outdoor brands. Definitely get a waterproof breathable fabric like gore-tex or eVent (my new fav).

Was crushing them on Saturday and Sunday on a luckycraft pointer 100 in ghost minnow and aurora black. Was trying my fav baits and nothing: keitech swimbaits, terminator t1 spinnerbaits, bomber crankbaits, and tube jigs.

I fish there once a year for the last few so I know a few spots. PM me if you're interested. I caught plenty of decent sized largies on 4" keitech swimbaits last year, no pike though.

I've always bought merrells in the past but my latest pair are teva with an event membrane. I've been very happy with them so far.

Might be hard for you to get a hold of but amercoat is what we use on structural steel where I work.

I have an older (2004) forester and I love it. If I was looking in your price range I'd definitely check out the newer model year foresters. The XT (turbo 2.5L) if you can find one in your budget would be a great vehicle. All the boxer engines can develop head gasket problems as they get older and especially if they are not properly maintained. Besides a bad gasket material choice which seems to have been remedied in the early 2000s they are also prone to improper coolant types and change intervals and it would seem ethanol doesn't help (the turbos take premium so you don't hear about them having as many problems). They AWD system is great! with the recent snow fall where everyone was getting stuck I was able to plow through everything with my snowies on. As others have mentioned I think they went a bit to generic in exterior styling on their 2014 update, all the small-mid SUVs are starting to look the same anymore, Hyndai, Honda, Subaru etc. they all have similar body lines. Let us know what you think after you test drive a few.