nebc

I don't care myself about the cost so much, BUT... in my humble opinion, one should not be making it easy as most rod and gun clubs do, to apply mitigative principals on fishing or hunting....mitigation is in anyone's terms, compromsing your rights. Government has been all too good at the compromising with little or no benefits ending up on our table. Stick with what is working and never give in too readily on hidden taxation like this as you will never seen the benefit and you and your children will be the unlucky beneficieries of government gone spending crazy again.

Just so that we all feel a little sad for not being in the Lake Taupo NZ area just now, here is a link to the weather there... http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=taupo Enjoy.

My wife and I were there a Taupo for two weeks this past January. Water was high then and largest rbw we landed was 7 pounds. Saw large that we could not get to. Never did hire a guide while there. Sure liked the area. Very clear waters, spooky fish at times. Saw some really good browns under bank overhangs as well.

Here in British Columbia the Wildlife Act defines guiding precisely. Google it or go to www.gov.bc.ca and search for it there using their search engine. There is little if any question about why it was needed here and indeed I am surprised angling guiding is unregulated in Alberta. I know big game guiding is regulated but is not the same way as we do here in BC. In BC the angling guides are not given any exclusivity and can often guide anglers anywhere in a region but must do the paperwork required. I think in some areas the angling guides may be restricted to certain rivers esp on the coast. Our guide-outfitters that guide for big game in BC have had defined guiding made very precise in the BC Wildlife Act and they only have the right to guide in designated guide areas over which he has tenures where nobody else may guide in his area. Each guide and his assistant guides are required to be licensed annually but the guide-outfitter has a longer term right to guide exclusivley in his area. That does not mean he can prevent BC residents from hunting (or for angling guides, fishing) anywhere they want unless it involves private lands.

A visit to a local taxidermist would be a good idea. If one has some free scraps for you to try, I would try the carbou hair, although it may tend to be fragile. They will also be able to advise you as to what samples are legal and those that are not, or should be able to.

We spent 2 and a half months there, arrived at Christchurch on 17th November last year. Did south island first then north. Recommend the area around te Anau and Wanaka. Bluefin tuna off coast while staying at Greymouth was a blast but landing one is an all-nighter. Pricey but FUN. Best time and fishing had was at in the rivers around Lake Taupo on north island s well as in the lake itself. Really enjoyed ocean fishing in Bay of Plenty area, lots of charter outfits. We found the water to be a bit too high in many rivers, but that was often not a real issue. Should have done more ocean fishing and snorkling but if we were to go again, would do more of that. Take your fly tying outfit. Make SURE you clean your fly line and equipment as well as boots and waders because they did check our stuff. If I were to do it again, I would just stay down there and not bother coming back...

check this out - I never wrote it but it seems to be correct HELPFUL HINTS FOR IMPORTING CARS All my experience is based on shopping for and buying Japanese cars and pickups. In 20 years I have had no problems with warranty but I suggest you inquire on an individual basis. I live very close to the border so it has never been a concern. I do suggest you buy from a responsible dealership. You can also get some protection buying through E-Bay. The last vehicle I bought came from Miami to the west coast of Canada and my wife and I flew there and had a very casual trip home. Three and a half weeks. I saw many great deals along the way, especially in the weekend editions of newspapers. Don’t forget to consider the cost of picking up the vehicle or having it delivered. I will buy another vehicle in Feb or Mar for a winter holiday. This is a very good time of year to buy as the 2008 models are here and they are clearing out the 2007 models. You might begin by determining where you would like to go for a bit of a holiday and shopping in that area. Once you have found the vehicle you want at the price you feel is right the paperwork starts. Check out the vehicle through some agency such as “Carfax” $29.00. Avoid cars with questionable titles like “Salvage” or “Flood” You will be expected to make an immediate down payment with the rest to follow within a week. I have asked for two weeks to complete and have always been accommodated. The dealerships will generally pick you up from the airport at no charge. Items to discuss before completion: 1. Warranty 2. Clear title: you want this document for sure. 3. State taxes: currently some states want to collect taxes and then they will apply it to another state jurisdiction. Being a Canadian and not being even considered by the state taxation branch it sometimes becomes quite an issue and if things come to the worst you might have to pay and then apply for a refund if the dealer will not co-operate. I have had 100% success avoiding paying the state taxes. For this reason, I take a set of Provincial Vehicle Transfer forms and have the dealer sign them and never go near the state dept of motor vehicles for a permit. Only the owner is allowed to permit a vehicle. 4. Are they willing to give you a 7-30 day permit for your vehicle? Before leaving to pick up the vehicle. 1. Check with manufacturer for recalls. You will need the VIN number. Any required work should be done ASAP as it generally takes about a week to get it into the manufacturer’s computer system. Once they have it you can request them to FAX you a “Letter of Recall Clearance” that you will need to get your Federal Safety Inspection started. It only takes the manufacturer 10 minutes to FAX you back the letter. Again no charge. You can arrange to have the FAX sent to a hotel where you intend to stay while travelling. 2. Get insurance for the trip home While picking up the vehicle: 1. Make sure VIN Number is correct for the vehicle. The VIN number also indicates where the vehicle was made, the model and year of manufacture. 2. Make sure they give you the title. Nothing else is acceptable and you won’t be registering it in Canada without it. 3. Tires: if you think your tires are not good enough to drive home you can buy replacements. Tires are about 30% cheaper in the USA, just make sure you buy from someone like Goodyear, Firestone or Wal-Mart for future warranty and servicing. If they need to be replaced you will not be charged by Canada Customs. Just tell them. US Customs: you must have your Vehicle’s title cleared for export at US customs before leaving the USA. This may require 3 days. It can possibly be avoided if you can suppy them with the year, make and VIN number ahead of time. I have always avoided this 3 day wait. Take in your “Bill of Sale” and the title. Canadian Customs: 1. Take in your “Bill of Sale” and title. Expect to pay 6% GST plus $100 for having air conditioning. There might be extra duties if your vehicle is not made in the USA. Don’t try to come in with a ridiculously low invoice trying to save GST as they have the option of assigning a value to the vehicle based on a lot of previous transactions. I have had my invoices questioned because I shop hard but in the end I was allowed to use my invoice figures. 2. They will also charge you $206 which will pay for your upcoming Federal Safety Inspection. 3. You will get a receipt for this money and there is a number on the receipt. That number is referred to as a “Case Number. Call the register of Imported Vehicles: contact www.RIV.ca and give them your “Case Number” They will instruct you where to FAX/send your “Letter of Recall Clearance” Ask them to FAX back the OK to go ahead with your Federal Vehicle inspection. Best to have that FAX sent to the shop you are using for your inspections Few shops are authorized to do federal inspections. Canadian Tire shops are all approved but if you don’t want to use them and don’t know where to go e-mail me and I have a list of where you might go. Less than a day?? They will send you a sticker for the vehicle in a week or two. You can drive the vehicle before it arrives. After passing the provincial which will cost you approximately $100. and federal inspections you are free to register and insure your vehicle. They will need to check that the VIN number matches. This is where it is handy to have the local provincial transfer form. Good Hunting and if you are having difficulty finding a good deal let me know as I can probably help you buy under Black Book prices. Disclosure: This is in no way a business for me and is only a good Samaritan offer help. Larry

It will be interesting to see how the Class Action goes. That said, for soome time now I have complained about the 26-30 percent price difference..all the while the looney climbed 40 percent or more to present levels. The only thing that is different now may not be inventory levels so much as that Canadian resellers that deal with US distributors still have to pay and are perhaps pocketing a pile more cash from the improved margin...and think that we Canucks just do not care about pricing. Not just for fishing equipment and automobiles...look at boats and atv pricing defferences north and south of the border as well. I have been travelling more and buying not to mention buying a lot more online too. It would be great to be able to support local shops all the time but a guy has to also look out for one's self too.