kennyman

Wow, he's the dude man. Nice glasses. P.S. The judge is going to LOVE him.

I understand why everyone is p-o'd at Bass Pros. I really do think they are gouging, but will continue to do so. In order for them to justify being in another country with just one store the overhead has to be considerably higher and so the prices will follow. If you think about the extra costs involved in transportation including a lovely border crossing and the paperwork,duties, etc. that entails(remember everything they sell isn't from just the US and Canada), a completely different tax system,legal system etc.. Add to that the fact that if the owner has a bunch of stock that he bought previously at say 15 or 20% on the dollar he'll want to sell that first at a higher price to somewhat compensate. That should change over the next few months as the new stock will be coming in at almost par. Now if they expand more into Canada,those costs should be lessened or at least divided amond two or three stores and you'll see prices come down somewhat. All this doesn't make it right or mean that anyone has to buy from them instead of a local shop or LB's. There is a differnce however when going to BPS as far as the entertainment value. The fish inthe tanks,looking at the boats etc. You can spend an afternoon in there. It's great when you go with a buddy or bring the family and they can keep amused in there or in the huge mall that's right there. Think of BPS as going to a restaurant. You don't always get your groceries there and it's definetely more money, but once in a while it's fun to go. It's very similar (for me) to going a scaled down version of the Fishing Show, just the prices aren't as good.

WOW,very well said Grant.I'm a lifer as well and just as frustrated. I'm afraid that poor Paul Maurice is going to take the fall. I think he's a good coach and I don't believe for a second that this mess is his fault. Now for the poll I'm answering Sundin. I am a big Sundin fan, but the Leafs should trade some of their older big $$$ players while they can get good value in return (draft picks and young talent).Let's face it, what playoff contending team couldn't use Sundin? He'd be an asset anywhere. They need to bring in a "Bowman" and start from the scouting and work his way up. What the Leafs really need is a multi billlionaire who is a die hard hockey fan (who wants nothing more than to win) to buy the team, hire Scotty Bowman and give him the control he wants and needs to turn this franchise around. Then the fans need to give him the time to make it happen. It can't happen overnight. They'll suck for a while ...... yes even more than they do. The people who really "bleed blue and white" will understand and accept it if they can see light at the end of the tunnel. No one else matters. The team will make money anyway. They're the second richest team in hockey (next to the Rangers) and now that there's a cap in place monkeys could make a fortune there (we have proof). AND we also have proof that when done correctly a team can be turned around quite dramatically in a timely fashion (eg:Collangelo). Anyone who watched the Raps game today will attest to that!! Any billionaires on this site?? I hear there's a hockey team for sale.

Had this sent to me .................................... just had to post it here.

That was a great post. It makes me want to call my dad. Thanks for rambling, I really enjoyed it. Cool lure by the way. I think sometimes we just make everything too complicated or fancy. Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Every once in a while we need to be "tuned in" again and reminded of what's really important.Thanks for putting things in proper perspective again.

Man, that's awesome. You're making me jealous. Wish I was there for sure. Thanks for posting that for those of us stuck here in our confused winter wonderland.

Holy crap. I've never seen it like that. I knew it would be a little higher,but WOW!!! Talk about dangerous!!!

NICE!!! Pretty soon we won't have any either at this rate. It's morning,but it's already 57 degrees Farenheit. I guess I'll have to go to the arctic circle to try ice fishing. Greencoachdog,catch a 10lb bass today and post the pic for everyone here who is "jones'n". Good luck "dog".

Nice report Mike. Looks like you guys had a blast. Congrats to Ryan on the nice snot rocket, woohoo , way to go bud. Keep em coming.

Nice pic with your son. You'll remember that one for sure!

That was beautiful!!!! You should send that over to Mitt Romney.

Cool pics. What's with the big boulders at our spot? Obviously they've been monkeying around there again?

Very cool. Violent and beautiful at the same time. How'd you like to be out there in a 14 foot tinny?

Happy New Years everyone. Here's to health and happiness and many great fishing days ahead.

Nice pics. I bet that took a while! I told you all you had to do was whistle LOL. That would be the only way I could shoot dear too.

I don't know you either Rick, but I like you more with each post I read. Take care bud and have a Merry Christmas. Everything will be okay. Best wishes go out to you and Jack.

WOW!!!! Nice fish. Beautiful pics. You are an inspiration. You make me want to go fly fishing. Wish I was so talented. Thankyou very much for that awesome post!!!

Thanks for the offer. Sent you a pm.

Well said camillj. I also bleed blue and white,unfortunately a little too often. As I sit here I'm looking at my Dougie Gilmour Toronto Maple Leafs plaque. Now there is a Leaf who wore his heart on his sleeve. I loved having that guy wearing blue and white. Sometimes I'll actually find myself too emotionally involved. For instance if they are having a really bad night and getting slammed, I have a hard time watching it at all. I'll get so frustrated I'll just turn the channel (okay and peek every once in a while). I'm sure that happens to every team (yes,even Ottawa), but when it's your team,it can be hard to watch. Let's face it, Canadian teams have had a very tough time trying to compete with the US teams for quite a while and are so used to trying to just survive instead of win, that it's throughout the organization right from scouting all the way to the top. It's a difficult mindset to change and it can't be turned around easily or quickly . Not every team has an owner like Mike Illitch of the Red Wings who is so passionate and wants to win at any cost. Who hires maybe the best coach in the history of the game (Scotty Bowman) , the best scouting team around and builds a complete organization fron the ground up. Just think of the talent they have drafted. It's amazing. The Leafs would certainly be a different team if he owned them. The teachers union on the other hand would like to win, but not at all costs and certainly not at the expense of making less cash. It won't be impossible for the Leafs to win a cup, especially within the new confines of the cap, but it makes it alot more difficult when to the ownership winning is secondary. So everyone, give the players a break. They are playing with the teammates they have been given. Most are playing their hearts out. Look at Sundin. Not everyone loves him, but few have questioned his loyalty or work ethic. He will never be as revered as Wendel Clark (a Toronto god and rightfully so) but he is a great two way player that has incredible "hockey smarts". He has stuck it out with this team (thankyou Mats), so I think it's the least I can do. Go Leafs Go! Go Leafs Go!!

Thanks guys. Thanks Jamie. I'll check that out. Have you caught anything other than perch there through the ice? Any more suggestions anyone? How about pike ? Is anyone willing to share good spots for that?

Yes, I'm an "ice fishing virgin", but I'd like to change that. Sometime early in the New Year, conditions permitting of course, I would like to try ice fishing for the first time. I'd like to try somewhere within a couple hours from Brantford that has huts........... oh yeah, and lots of fish. I have a little Storm ice fishing rod loaded with Fireline Crystal that's been waiting since last Christmas to go out for it's inaugural run. Seems like this is going to be a much better year for ice fishing than last. Shouldn't be hard (or should I say"should be hard"............ ummm, the ice that is ). Where would you go for your first ice fishing adventure? Simcoe? Erie? Where?

I can't wait for the show. I just checked and the combined show in March is the exact same weekend as the Performance World car show. I'll be working that,so I'm very glad that the Fishing and Boat Show is on Feb 15,16,17th. I can at least go to one. I will be Jones'n by then and anything about fishing will be fine with me. I'm hoping it's even better.

That would put a smile on my face for sure . Your $200 might go a long way on the boxing day sale? Have fun spending it, I would.

Congratulations. Life as you knew it is over. It gets much better now. Having your first is an impossible thing to explain to someone. The feeling that comes over you right away is amazing (at least it was for me). As soon as they're born you would do anything to protect them. How can you love anything so much,so quickly is amazing. My Mom tried to explain this to me before my daughter Clarissa was born, but you can't really know unless you experience it. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. What's his name by the way? P.S. He has your hair LOL.

Just as sporting as fishing with dynamite.