Bernie

Garry, thanks for the input. Propane and oil is readily available nearby where I keep my boat on the mainland and fortunately have a couple tanks. Mike, I have a fireplace setup very similar to Wayne's now and would like to maintain it the same way. I don't want to get rid of what I have now only to make the heat more even throughout the cottage without having to add electric baseboard heaters in the bedrooms and the bathroom. Also for some more instant heat as it can be a little chilly to warm up from minus 25 or so. I burn about 5 or 6 cords of wood each year. Some of the wood is good, some not so good. Some drifts up on shore, some blow over each year and some is hauled out by pickup in the winter. I would like to reduce that amount a little. We have about 3 acres on the island but there is still a limited amount of that you can cut out that is dead or dangerous.

Yes it looks more like propane is the way to go Wayne. I have a couple 100 lb cylinders already. I may even go the hot water and stove that way too. One step closer to going solar/wind and cutting out the Hydro-reduce-the-debt bill that really irks me. So what did you replace your oil heater with Wayne?

Hey folks. Been thinking about installing a furnace at my cottage instead of cutting and hauling multiple cords of wood. Propane or oil are the only alternatives out there. I think propane may be less maintenance than oil over the long run. High efficiency propane furnace may be a problem with the water drain freezing as it would only be turned on on weekends in winter. (well maybe some extended weekends). I have room to install and run ductwork under the cottage or could also install it in the attic. But its easier to push warm air up than down. What are some of your ideas and recommendations? Where is a good place to purchase a furnace? I think I can install it myself.

So what was the solution? Good advice Kerry.

Good Stuff Solo, love your reports. I know the area east of there well. Our hunt camp isn't far away. I know a couple fellas that used to fish in that lake and others around it but they have gotten up in their years and don't head out anymore. They would go out to our camp and stay for the weekend and enjoy it as you did. There are a few good productive lakes in the area with a wide variety of species. Some of the smaller lakes in the area have limited access of trails to them though. Tom is a good fellow, haven't seen him for a few years. His sister and my wife are good friends. Spent a few days out there years ago in the summer. Nice spot.

Have used Fireline 8lb test on Nipissing wallys for the last 10 years. I occasionally let a buddy try out my rod to show the difference from mono. I'm glad to get my own rod back because using mono to me is like fishing with a rubber band. When they are biting light its good to know you can feel it. I tie a snap swivel directly to the end, no leader and a jig with a worm. If I'm fishing in a jagged rock area I check for frays because it can happen, but its rare and its usually only the first couple feet. Trim it off, retie and go again. Gerritt gave me some Powerpro to try but I really haven't given it a proper test yet. I must say it looks like it will be alright as well. I suppose there would be a good use for mono in some cases, might make a good sling shot.

We could use a little of it up here Cliff. Just came home tonight from across Nipissing and it is almost glare ice. Makes for lots of sliding around.

Don't work on sleds too often but It seems like a lack of fuel problem cold. Not sure whether this has a choke or a fuel enricher, depends on the type of carburetor. Don't think this would have a choke plate so its likely a stuck valve or plugged ports. If you haven't had the carbs off this year it may be a good idea to take them apart and clean them up anyway. It may save you a burned piston.

Glad to see she is up and about and the surgery successful Wayne. You never stop worrying about your children no matter what their age.

Hey Bill, looks like you had a great weekend. Good to see you picked up a few fish too. No idea what they were but I bet they were fun to wind in. I had to use some peripheral vision myself this past weekend fishing with the guys up here.

Sorry to hear that Rich. Lost a buddy like that in the past. Tough to take.

I knew you wouldn't let me down Roy

douG, when I see Arcturus above the roof of my house before 10 PM its springtime.

Don't be too hard on yourself there Dan. I like the shot. Its clear and its showing a planet and stars along with it. Cliff, those pics turned out pretty well all things considered. Sunglasses. Ha Ha I tried with mine but needed a tripod, besides, Dans turned out so well I didn't need to take one.

Nice shot Dan!. Is that Saturn above it?

There are many different types of vehicles on the market today. The reason for this is everyone has different ideas and needs for their type of driving. I think the key here is to submit your experiences and respect each others input and make your own decision. Read consumer reports, talk to your mechanic (an independent from the dealer one) as well. There are good and bad points to everything made. None of them are indestructible.

Don't know whether to thank you or give you a kick in the . OK............ thanks, nice to see the flowers bloom. Need a little bit of that to know it is coming soon. Days are getting longer.

Just so you know Cliff, it has to be on a full moon to have a lunar Eclipse. Being as how everything is lined up.

As a kid my father sold live bait so I was always on the lookout for different species to drop in my aquarium. Had a vast array over time. The local CO also lived in my Dads apartment for a few years. I think he was more interested in the stuff I had than I was. The mudpuppy lived the longest of anything. Of course as a kid I knew nothing of ph levels and such so nothing survived overly long. Dace, chub and catfish would live the longest. A few sportfish found there way in from time to time too. We had a brook trout in one of the in ground tanks that lived for about ten years. His demise was a mink that came along one day.

Hey Mike. Great report! You are right about getting out and enjoying the winter rather than complaining about it. It's just hard sometimes to get off your butt when its freezing cold. Once you are out and about it's really a lot of fun.

Ha Ha Joe. I was just lucky! I have one tackle box and hardly ever take it with me. A few homemade jigs in a container and a box of worms is all thats required for the fishing I do. But those that fish for other species on different lakes I can see the need for a wide array of tackle. Now a good rod, reel and line is another story.

Thanks for the reply's folks. Cliff, yahoos is about the right way to describe them. Ha ha. But it sure made for some good fun! Headhunter. You are welcome here anytime. Spiel, Hopefully next time you are able to come up. Oldphart, that green goop was FANTASTIC!mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good! Ben, if all ice fishing weekends were like this past one I could probably get back into it. The weather messed us up pretty bad but it's not always like that. The shack we used was a friend of mines and he was gracious enough to let us use it. I would build one a little larger to make it a bit more comfortable............ It was a little small for us skinny guys.

Good stuff. Hope you didn't get wet feet. Glad to see you could make it out there. There were waves on Nipissing in some places yesterday.

From what I see in my shop out of the three domestics is the Ford is probably the most reliable. Not problem free either but it would be my pick of them. As far as imports go I cant give a good opinion as they don't tend to be overly popular around here. They are less likely to have problems but will probably more expensive to purchase and repair. The Honda would be OK if you don't need to load an ATV or a sled in the back. Not my style because of that. The Nissan Titan may be worth a look as well as the Toyota pickups.