Sk8man

I think about everything is open right now although it could be slippery on the ramps

If you make that turn you'd be heading south

These tip downs are "old school" and far from "elegant" but they work and cost next to nothing to make. I can hear my buddy Admiral Byrd laughing from here as he built his to withstand a nuclear attack....but for folks on a limited budget or with limited amount of time here are basic tip downs made from boards I had sitting around, old dowels , sections of coat hanger wire, and cut pieces of imitation cork from a wine bottle. They work great for perch and panfish....but you'd have problems with a big pike

Inexpensive LED lights on my sled for coming back in after dark (in addition to my headlamp).

Laker1 you have a PM

Yeah I tied up a couple myself I told you this stuff is addictive

Yep...I made my own with some stiff thin ss wire I had and some fluorescent orange plastic material for the walleye boards and Yellowbirds the TX44's came with flags. It is a racket.

Try Ebay or Jann's Netcraft

pic #1 These flies (resembling salt water flies are a combination - the four at bottom are the tinsel Rob mentioned above and the two at top are some more expensive (and perhaps more durable material...jury is still out) pic #2 flies also tied in reverse - wild looking fly and one that is in stored condition with very small rubber band (used for looms or girls hair and sold at Michaels etc.) around it I purposely make my flies a little larger and heavier to slow them down without slowing down the spinney or flasher noticibly (hopefully so the fish have an easier time connecting with it) and instead of using straw material I use sectioned (cut with scissors) aquarium airline hose. I use beads from craft stores - some metallic and some pearl or faceted etc. and 3D eyes (actually move). As Rob said it is really addictive.

Fishtails I wasn't directing my comments at the cartoon I thought it was pretty funny actually. When we lose our sense of humor we really have a problem

One of the things we don't want to do is to diminish the importance of this website itself by making comments that infer that there is a problem with it. The problem is with a small minority of folks using the anonymity as a "weapon" to bypass constructive and respectful dialog and to vent their frustrations with who knows what in their personal lives. Chad works very diligently to provide a great forum here for folks to discuss and learn about just about anything relating to the sports we love. It is that very reason that caused me to join the "professional" version awhile back because I felt the obligation to try to do my part to foster a very meaningful vehicle for contributing back to the sport and to show support for something constructive. I owuld encourage "lurkers" to do the same....support things you believe in. Lets all try to do our part to make this a place to share our thoughts and ideas or expertise and keep it free from the reality show crap that has taken over other facets of our lives. This should remain a place to share information listen to others points of view , and interact respectfully and peacefully with one another.

Justin you make a very good point in that many of us are fishing very different than you in the open waters environment and although the tightening does work there your example is a good one to keep in mind when fishing differently (e.g. for fishing structure for eyes instead of open water trolling for salmon and trout.

Dawsonscreek did a great job outlining the issues concerning the possibility of mountain lions actually inhabiting NYS and obviously put some time and energy into researching it. That should stand as the current state of knowledge of the situation. As mentioned a stray mountain lion passing through is possible (but not highly probable) but it is very different to have an ongoing and viable breeding population which some have believed the anecdotal reports throughout the state suggest. It would seem to me it could be "put to rest" at this point. Ray's exploits in Florida seem a lot more interesting at this point

Congrats to the buyer....he got a real good deal! Congrats also to NIck and his new ride....great looking boat.

Yes Chas. I'm not sure about the NEW ones but i had one that was activated by water and was always concerned about it inflating from rain or wet snow after a friend had one inflate accidentally while fishing in a boat when it got wet