Smitty

Seanp: You seem to be the kinda guy that likes to "calls it as he sees it". Well, hopefully, you haven't deluded yourself into thinking that your approach to fishing is any "worthier", or more "ethical" or "moral" than someone else's, just because you have the "decency" to eat your catch. A few points to consider: 1) So you release small fish because you "have" to? So, in other words, you "sort" through your fish, torturing and then releasing the small ones just so you can find some of the "right" size to keep? That's utterly barbaric. A person who truly is morally opposed to C&R would choose not to fish in a place that puts them in a position to "having" to release smaller fish by law because of size limits. Can I presume, then, you will only fish stocked lakes, and you will keep the first 5 fish you catch? Because otherwise, your so-called "moral" stance is in gross violation with your practices. 2) Can I also assume then that you would never fish in a stream with bull trout? What if you accidentally caught one? How about virtually every Eastern Slope stream? Do you fish those? If so, then I find your argument proposes a hypocritical contradiction that I assume you must ignore in order to live with yourself. Seanp, I challenge you to take your thinking to a rational, consistent, logical conclusion: and that being if you were really, truly, 100% committed to avoiding torturing fish, you would acquire them at the only places possible as to avoid any scintilla of a chance of harming fish. And those places would include Safeway, Superstore, Save-on-Foods, etc. And until you decide that, I find your arguments rather weak. You have chosen to live in a province, that uses and endorses C&R fishing as a fisheries and angler management tool (for good or evil, according to everyone's values); I think you really need to recognize that. Or at least confine your fishing to stocked lakes with no C&R regs, and you keep the 1st five fish. IF you can honestly say that's exactly what you are/or will do, then, fine, I totally respect that. If you can't claim that approach, then, respectfully, you need to come down off the high horse. Smitty P.S. A blood sport is a blood sport, and the torture/harassment of fish is just that. No one can claim any superiority, because they only do it a "few" times.

Ditto. I am very nervous of this whole love affair with Jagr; we simply can't afford to pull what I call a "Canucklehead"; that's where you pay someone like Mats Sundin a breathtakingly stupid sum like $9M per year. Jagr - at this point in his career - is not worth more than $3.5M to $4M. He's 36, last time he won the Art Ross was eight years ago, Stanley cup, like 16 years ago. I absolutely hate it when teams overpay guys in the twilight of their careers because of past performance. Its just as risky as paying a guy like Penner for potential future performance. Jagr didn't even produce a point per game in a 2nd rate league. BTW, its not like Jagr will make Hemsky better; they're both right wingers. Frankly, I'd like to see the Oilers get a pure goal scorer at this point; like a Franzen/Kovalchuk type. Or at least a talented big centre like Lecavalier/Thorton. BTW guys, don't dump on Horcoff just because (1) the coach made a choice played him on the 1st line, (2) we don't have another centre who can replace him right now. And don't thing Gagner was the guy, cause he wasn't. Horcoff was the best centre we've had the past 2 years, its not his fault that the general manager and the coach can't do better. Horcoff would be an excellent 2nd line centre on most teams, he's definitely more talented than your average third line centre, IMHO. Anyways, I like the coaching move; somewhat risky in the sense your risking "too many chiefs" syndrome, but they have good resumes, and I think they can get some decent results. Smitty

Rickr: Was trying to insinuate that you didn't work hard or had lots of days off. And, to make my point clearer, you did exactly that by mentioning the proximity to a campground. Obviously some people do have to drive 3+ hours, because they don't live on the doorstep. And, you're right, people will complain about getting to a campground and its full due to advance booking. Still fairer in my opinion, or you can do a hybrid system like the one I proposed. Ultimately, there will be some whiners no matter what, that shouldn't stop the gov. from implementing the most fair system as possible. Frankly, this isn't a big an issue as people who park their trailers in SW Alberta and pretend its their holy ground all summer long. But that's another thread... Mike

Agree with you what you said Rick; anyone using the system as its currently designed is perfectly within their rights. That's why I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the new online system. In theory, that should definitely help level the playing field. For example, what about the Joe and Martha hard working Albertan who can't get a Wed. or Thur. off to drag their trailer off to "camp" on a campsite? I think they're unfairly punished, just because they have to leave after work on a Friday and or on Saturday morning? Seems unreasonable. They work just as hard and have to do as much planning as anyone else, it seems. But now they have a chance to reserve a spot just like everyone else via the telephone or internet. Like I said, just like the reservation system the government uses for the Kananaskis golf course; I like it fine. You could always compromise and have some sort of hybrid system that either (1) limits the amount of days you are allowed to book online, or (2) limits the amount of campsites available to be booked online, and there always some leftover for people to have first come, first served when they're physically there, etc. Just would be nice if you could pay for something in advance and not have to worry about (1) doing the circus juggling act with your time and getting your stake claimed in the middle of the week, and (2) squatters. My two cents. Mike

Lynn et al: Just finished reading "The Dip" by Seth Godin. Its not exactly on topic 100% (its about knowing when to quit and when to stick around, so its not about being laid off per se), but you might find it a great read. I sure did. And its a small book; only took an hour or so at the local Second Cup with my vanilla bean latte and a sandwich. Highly recommend it. Mike

You miss whalin'? Damn poacher! Smitty

Trailhead: Just a couple of questions: 1) Don't you think your comment is the purest example of the definitive, classic, myth-building stereotype of the Canadian inferiority complex? I mean seriously, we're kind of a hockey mad country, if it were up to you, we should have tsn and cbc stop broadcasting because we're now going to take our 'puck' and go home? 2) By the way, any Canadian-born players left playing on those "American" teams? Just a wonderin', Smitty P.S. Though I will say I am not a huge Bettman fan either.

Ah Hawstoppah: If there's anything un-Canadian, its biatching and moaning. Next thing I'll hear is that Lee Harvey Oswald had 4 pals on the grassy knoll, and it was Dick Cheney who ordered the strike against the Pentagon (9-11) so that Haliburton stock would go up. Since the last CBA, Canadians teams have had their fair shot. And look; we've had Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa make it to the finals since '04. I'd say that's pretty fair representation from Canada, given the fraction of 6/30. There has been some brutal reffing, but I can guarantee you one thing; the team that raises the cup over their collective heads will deserve it because the played the best, and won the most games, not because of some almighty decree from the NHL head office and the whispered conspiracies amongst the refs. Anyways, should be a hell of a game 7 tonight between Pens/Washington. With Chicago left, the Bruins, and one of Pens/Caps, there's still plenty of good hockey to watch. Love the PVR, cause I'm going to see Lewis Black! I like the Wings, but I'm sick of them winning and Yzerman (my former favorite player) doesn't play anymore, but I sure as hell don't want those damn ducks to win (us Edm fans are still biatching and whining about Pronger - we're still bitter. lol Bottom line, nothing justified the classless behavior of the Canucks fans. Nothing. Any excuse is just pathetic or weak. Or both. Smitty

Birchy: Without knowing what took place in that phone call (sounds like its mostly resolved), make sure you document the following: 1) the phone call tonight and the substance of the conversation - write it down! 2) Send him a polite letter back - more documentation, and you should photocopy it - acknowledging both the conversation and his commitment to pay you x$ in another 4 weeks time. If you do get the x$ in 4 weeks, absolutely run and be done with this. But of course you know that. And my final contribution to the discussion, in general: 1) We live in a digital age - as protection for the tenant and landlord, always take digital pictures of the the place you are about to move into. As a landlord, I take pictures and video. 2) As a tenant, make sure there is a written move-in report that you and the Landlord (or agent thereof) were both present at. No written move-in report, no deductions from security deposit (benefit for the tenant, but causes headaches for both parties). Don't rent from a Landlord who won't do a proper move-in. 3) As a Landlord, always collect a full security deposit - one month's rent. Never -ever- "cut-a-break" to a prospective tenant, by charging less than one month's rent. You're entitled to it, and provides the max protection for you from broken things and broken leases. Smitty

Hey Drew: Some of our Oilers could use caddies. How good is Iginla reading the greens? Can he rake the sand all nice and even? Best stat of the night: TSN points out that the Flames have only made it past the first round once since 1990. Smitty

MrBotangles: Thanks for that; that definitely is not mere "rambling". It really is helpful to hear of good customer experiences. I'll add: Orvis - have replaced the same rod 3 times, though it can take up to 12 weeks. When my Rocky Mountain was no longer in production, they replaced it with a Trident. Impressive. Mike

As an Oilers fan...I generally pull for Canadian teams, even the hated Flames when they're the only ones left. Looks like the reffing is stinkin' like 24 day old refuse pile. BUT! Do you think that over a 7 game series that reffing seriously makes the difference? Really? I say that, to provide an example in a comparison, with a winner take all one game series. Case in point: women's gold medal final in Salt Lake (winter Oly 2002). I believe at one point, the US had something like 10 powerplays to our 0 by the start of the third period. Now THAT was bad reffing, and could have seriously made a difference. Thank God we won. I get the frustration of the Flames fans; its justified. But if the Flames lose in 6 or 7, and people start whispering conspiracy theories about the officiating, its hard not to chalk that up to just plain old bitterness... Smitty

Are the local shops in Calgary carrying thingamabobbers? What about Edmonton? Fishin Hole, or Wholesale Sports? Smitty

This is the same system used by the Kananaskis Golf Course. Works fine, you just have to be on the ball. I really don't see a lot of drawbacks to it. The real problem, in my view and as highlighted in the article, is the lack of recreational places in the first place. If the system was designed for the province when it had half the people, then shouldn't we do something about that? But of course, in this economic climate, when people are debating cutbacks to health services, it would be political suicide to spend money to increase the recreational spaces and opportunities for Albertans. But I like the idea of eliminating squatters. And really, aren't there more pressing issues like random camping? Can't wait for the annual May long weekend circus show and train wreck with the quadders too. Smitty

But has there been anything lately to bring up this concern? Just curious... Smitty

Awesome. Reminds me of another terrific moment from a previous season: 43 million views on that one says it all. Smitty

Well here are some random ramblings that don't matter; Man I love Easter weekend when all the sporting events converge. 1) Didn't see the women's worlds hockey game, but it appears the USA girls have our number for now. Don't really know much; is their team just better, or do we just get a little pysched out playing the Americans? 2) Golf: Ahhhh! Kenny! You had a chance to become the oldest player ever and you blew it!!! BY the way, does Phil lie awake at night knowing if you doesn't dunk his ball on Amen corner (par 3) he probably would have won? And Tiger; good showing for a man who's played very little in the last year; nearly pulled off the comeback - until 17 and 18. So congratulations to Cabrera, the guy who provided the least drama. By the way, does anyone else think that Padraig Harrington got a little screwed by that ruling in round 2 (yeah yeah, I know it made little difference in the end...) 3) Kevin Martin: W. T. F. ??? Throw a rock away, mmmm ok, maybe? But then you go for some ridiculous take-out when an angle raise was there for you for the win???? What kind of decision making is that? Clearly the scots have your number, going 3-0 against your team... Smitty

I remember this debate (its a very worthy one to discuss) from the other board years back; Kyle McNeilly raised the point that gun-toters are nearly useless because most of us in that situation are just as likely to blow a hole in the nearest spruce tree than a correctly and accurately placed shot. Notwithstanding the few - probably very few - of you on this board that would actually be a good shot in that crap-your-pants scenario. When I used to take students out, I made sure everyone carried spray. By the way, cans are not a one-shot deal. I always had a "sacraficial lamb" can (the 'oldest' one I had); it made good for several demonstrations (the kids felt better seeing a demo and how it works.). Of course, that was the demo can only and was never carried in the field. By the way, when you're on the trail, and not near water, walking to and from spots, and you're in bear country, why have the can holstered? You could always carry it in your hand (with the safety still on), and at least it saves you the time from trying to "quick draw" it. That's the way I do it sometimes; one hand carrying the rod, the other the bear spray. Also, I don't shoot from the hip; full arms length out is the way to go. One compromise I have reached if I feel fairly safe and don't actually want to carry the spray can in my hand is I have a waist belt that I have lengthened, and I wear it bandolier style diagonally across my chest. My water, my Mora knife, and the bear spray, are all within easy reach (no need for fully loaded fly vest in the high altitude streams, right). Lastly, I remember talking to a campers village rep, and he said the expiration dates on the cans are just a way of the manufacturer cover themselves, and were rather bogus. Indeed that is correct, in the senses I still have a half used demo can from 7 years back that still sprays. BUT! I do err on the side of caution and buy fresh cans every two years at most. In my opinion, totally comical in the end to debate the cost versus the method though. Find the method that is legal and makes you feel safe; isn't cost pretty irrelevant when it comes to protecting your life??? My God, we dump hundreds to thousands of dollars on equipment and gas, surely no one would split hairs over cost to live another day? Smitty

Well, I am a little confused. Because reading that new regulation, I fully expected the limits to be reduced to zero at Hasse, Cow, and Dolberg lakes (just a few examples perusing through the guide). So why are they writing up this new philosophy and yet allowing 15 perch from these lakes? Am I missing something? Smitty

Just an FYI: This book (and all others) routinely go on sale in the 3rd week of August during the Fishing Hole's wall to wall sale. That's when I got mine. 50% off. If you can wait that long... Smitty

I can understand where BC is coming from, but it wouldn't work in AB, in my opinion, because we have far fewer waterbodies, particularly stocked trout lakes. I mean look at that list on the gov't website; can you imagine if the gov't prohibited angling from those waterbodies. Where would trout fisherman go? Though I suppose that they would not all be closed at the same time if you're rehabbing one to three lakes at a time... Don; Didn't think about that point about rewarding the jackass's who do it by then giving them license to benefit through a unlimited kill. Guess that makes sense, but I wouldn't mind seeing a test-pilot project on a couple of lakes. I think Cow would be suitable, because its so big, and probably a lot of perch could get removed. Smitty

Thanks for posting Don, I took the survey. In the interim, may I propose a band-aid solution? And I do mean its band-aid, cause it doesn't solve everything. But why not allow an unlimited perch "limit" from these lakes, in the meantime, while the gov't, bios, and the angling community decide what to do? Guys get to take some food home, less perch mean more room for trout. Not the end all to be all, but it could be a start. If there was any concern about this being overdone you could just create a special harvest license - since they already have one set up for walleye. Any thoughts? Am I missing something? Smitty

I know that must really annoy Flames fans, cause, you know, we actually had glory years. Smitty Anyways, world didn't end last night for the Oilers, unfortunately for you Flamers. Oh, and as far as the recent history goes, we've been to the Finals more recently than the Flames. And, with the exception of the Flames going themselves to game 7 (losing, as we did too), how many times have the Flames made it past the 1st round in, say, the last 15 years? Damn facts!!!!!

Before any other Flames fan thinks of getting mouthy, 2 facts: 1) Stanley Cups: Oilers 5, Flames 1 2) And some history: November 26th, 1996: Oilers 10, Flames 1 at the Saddledome Just FYI. Blow outs happen; doesn't mean we suck, it means we really sucked for one night. Smitty

I want all of the above plus a rod that ships with one (I'm not greedy, or choosy) of the following: Catherine Zeta Jones, Nicole Kidman, or Jessica Alba. Naturally, they help net the fish and snap pics. Sorry for the continued highjack, I couldn't resist. Smitty