Big Birthday Surprise!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I am a number of Blogs behind, but will catch up on them later.
Today Chris and I went to Brooklin to spend the day with Paul, Andrea and the kids and to celebrate Evan's 6th birthday which was actually June 19.
We took a drive up to Port Perry (Evan came with Nana and Papa in the "Punchbuggy") and we went to a real nice park right on Lake Scugog (Evan calls it Stewdog).
Rachel enjoyed watching her big brother laugh his head off as he spun wildly around in the spinny chair thingy.


Evan enjoyed climbing the spiderweb.


Rachel is quickly becoming a big girl and was a lot of fun to be with.


She enjoyed reading one of the books that we got her..


It was hilarious to watch her eating the pixie stix that Nana was giving her.


One of Evan's main gifts was an authentic "Dave Mercer" (Facts of Fishing) fishing shirt! He watches Facts of Fishing every week with his Dad. The shirt is exactly like the one that Dave wears on the show and in Bass Pro when he does his seminars.


We took a walk through town and had dinner at Captain George's and had some of the best Fish & Chips on the planet!
We followed that up with a trip to Dairy Queen for some great treats.
I told Evan that you never know, you could run into Dave Mercer somewhere here because he lives in Port Perry. What are the chances..............evidently a whole lot better than I ever thought!!!
We started heading home and who passes us and goes into the Canadian Tire there but The Big "D" himself, Dave Mercer!! This is after we took a wrong turn and headed down a different road than we had planned!!

Needless to say, Evan was pretty excited! We got a picture beside Dave's truck while we waited for him to come out of the store.


Evan waited very patiently for Dave.


Finally, Dave came out of the store. I asked him if he had bought any lures in there???? He told me that he hadn't and was actually there to pick up a jockstrap (he assured me that it was an XL) as he was going to film a segment with the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow that will be shown on "The Score" channel!
Dave is one of the classiest guys in the business and spent quite a bit of time talking to us and gave Evan lots of attention. I have seen this guy work his magic on kids in the store and he is a hero of mine for that. He posed with Evan beside his truck.


He gave Evan his own personal (sweat stained) Shimano hat right off the dash of his truck! Lots of kids have a Mercer hat, but not one from his own personal collection!!
He also gave him a $10 Facts of Fishing Subway card.
Evan wasn't sure which hat to wear......


Here's a great picture of a pretty happy and excited kid!!

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!!
Thanks Dave for working your magic on one of my own!!

Go Pens!!!

What a great place to watch game 7!!
We set up the TV in the back yard and enjoyed the evening air as we watched the game.
I have to say that these Stanley Cup playoffs have renewed my interest in hockey. Some of the best hockey I have seen in years.
What a great game and great series!!

New Toys!!

Terry & family stopped by tonight to show off the Bear's new ride!!
WOW!! A 2005 Dodge Hemi!!
The truck is in beautiful shape and all 6 of us fit comfortably for a test drive.
Congrats Terr.
The other new toy is my iPhone, an incredible gadget that can do some amazing things such as posting this blog!

Best customer of the Day!!

GeoTagged, [N43.20636, E79.59416]

This was my best customer today!

Fly Fishing Bubba!!

Saturday, May 23, 2009
One day your a Bass Fishin' Bubba and two days after some expert instruction you're promoted to the Fly Fishing Department!!
hahahahahahahahahahahahha..........not really!! Gord just asked me if I could mind the store while he went for his break.


I do look pretty good and knowledgeable don't I.......................NOT!!!

Here I am enjoying the latest issue of Fly Fisher magazine!


Well it was good for a laugh anyway!

34th AIBCBGEBP

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
34th Annual Invitational Bass Classic Banquet, Gala Event & Birthday Party!!

Tonight was our planning event for our 34th Annual Invitational Bass Classic! It was also Orca's 64th Birthday Party!
I have never seen a Vice-President in charge of the Treasury do such an unbelievable job! The first thing everyone does (including myself) is reach for their wallet as soon as they enter the room to pay Willy their deposit! Unbelievable!!
Here's BIG MAC handing over the cash.


SoloGill


A bit of a double pump as I give Moe my deposit for the FishGuts Fall Classic as he is giving Bill his 34th deposit.


Rookie (and defending Champion) Steve palming his and his Dad's deposit.


Lots of laughs tonight, especially over SoloGill's faggy beer glass! hahahahahahaha!


Moe volunteered to collect $10 from everyone for tonight's $49M+ 649. I wonder what time the limo picks me up in the morning??


Another great event with some great buddies! Lots of laughs!


37 Days to Go until a Fisherman's Christmas!!!!!!

Knocked Off Another One!!!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
One of my "50 Things To Do Before I Die" (Bucket List) is to learn how to Fly Fish. Part 1 of that venture happened back in March when I purchased a fly rod and reel. I reported it here.

Today was the day of my Fly Fishing Lesson from my good friend and fellow Bass Pro Associate, Michael Wong, a Canadian Champion Fly Fisherman and also a Certified Fly Fishing Instructor!
I met Mike at The Ponds which are located on #48 Hwy just north of Mount Albert. Mike was not his usual jovial self. He was obviously very focused, knowing that he was about to take on one of the biggest challenges he has ever faced. He was about to try and tame and mentor Bubba Bassman!! Can you teach an old Redneck Dog new tricks????????

Mike immediately swung into action, laying out cones at 30, 40 and 50 feet.


After learning some very basic and very valuable tips about assembling my rod, reel and line, Mike started demonstrating the basics of casting.
Oh my God!!! I really was in the presence of a MASTER!!!! Mike started his fluid motion and kept extending his cast further and further..... 30 feet....40 feet....50 feet....60 feet!!!! I have to admit, it really was a beautiful thing to watch! He did it so effortlessly!!


Okay, now it was BUBBA's turn. Thank God there were no pictures and thank God I was only casting a piece of yarn on the end of my line!!! NO having to dig hooks out of the back of my head!!!!
After reviewing hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, body positioning, rod position, etc, etc, Mike took the Master's chair (well out of range) and quietly corrected and encouraged me. "Nice and Easy"..... "Just like a pendulum"........"That's Good!"........"10 to 12, not 10 to 2"........."tight loops!"......


After a few hours of waxing and waning and hauling (only us fly fishermen understand these terms), it was time to put on a "real fly" and try my luck in the water. Here's a partial display of some of Michael's fabulous creations. You can see some dry flys, wet flys, woolie buggers and streamers.


Now there was more to learn! How to cast and work the fly, roll casting, false casting, how to hold your rod and peel your line back, how to set the hook, play the fish and land and release him!!
Michael got it started landing the first trout.


This is the first Rainbow in my life. A beautiful fish that was quickly photoed and released.


Not long after it was followed by a second!! A little bigger.


It was getting on in the day, but Mike kept saying "One more fish"!!
After a couple of more, I latched into my biggest of the day! This guy peeled off line several times and gave me a great fight!




It was a beautiful rainbow and a great way to end a fabulous day.


As we left The Ponds, I thought that I might feel a little "Light on my Feet" and worried that I might pull into a Starbucks on the way home for a "Wapae-Frappe-Faggae-Latte Grande"!!!!!
But not to worry!!! NO such feelings came over me!!
I stopped into a Timmies on the way home for a Large Double Double!! Life was still good!!

Thanks Mike for all your patience and a very special day!! I can't believe how much I learned. You are an amazing instructor as well as a good friend!!

Wings & Things

Friday, May 15, 2009
Chris and I went to Rosedale VW to pick up her baby. It's handle (others would call it a spoiler or wing) finally came in and was added. Chris is sure that it goes faster now (remember when you got a new pair of running shoes and how much faster you could run!!).
I think it would make a great coffee holder. Isn't it cute!!



Went from there to get my hair cut.
I called to make an appointment and found out that Barry had a 12:00. Great, I should get there a few minutes before Barry and surprise him and pi$$ him off when he has to wait for me first.
First a quick stop at the drive-thru bank machine. The damned bank machine gave me half of a $20 bill so I quickly go into the bank to get it replaced. Holy crap!! it took me over 20 minutes to get it replaced inside!!! arrrghhhhh!!!
Sorry no pictures of Barry in the chair. Went for a quick Timmies with Barry and on the way back to my car who do I see pounding down a sausage in front of Canadian Tire??? It's Doc Jewett!!......... fellow Tromper!! Stopped and had a good chat with him once he finished working on his lunch 8O)


Finished the night by driving the now faster BUG down to Kelseys in St. Catharines for some of those tasty Sea Salt and Pepper Wings mmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Green Ribbons & Yellow Belts

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Today was a big day for the Krazy Kids, especially Miranda. We got a call this morning that Miranda had qualified for the final heat of the 100 yard dash for Field Day. We went over to the school to share in the excitement.
Miranda who is in Grade 5 was up against all Grade 6 competitors. She did herself proud and was in the race right to the end (wearing purple). It was a real photo finish and the Grade 6ers just narrowly edged her out.


She got a lot of congrats and support from her friends.


That was followed up tonight with a significant accomplishment. Both girls received their Yellow Belts in Karate. This was not a given as most students did not receive a belt. Both Miranda & Maddy (and their friends) have been working very hard and received a real reward tonight for their efforts.

First they put on a demo...




And then the night finished with a very nice ceremony.
Sensei Lisa Robinson is a 5th degree Black Belt and an incredible instructor!




Miranda finished first in a competition with all the other white belts a few weeks ago (Maddy finished 4th which was equally impressive) and then went on to finish 1st in a regional competition.


Miranda is seen here acknowledging the other Sensei's. The girl she is bowing to is Sensei Robinson (Lisa's daughter) who put on an amazing demonstration tonight. I was impressed, awed and scared all at the same time!


Here are what Sensei Robinson calls the 5 chicks. The girls are all good friends and all started out together and have been rewarded for their persistence and acquired skills.


Congratulations Girls!!!

Out and About

Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Started the day by picking up my buddies Barry & Moe for a coffee and a lunch trip to Bayfront Park to check for spawning bass.


There wasn't much action, but spotted this lunker hiding under some of the brush. I think we were a week or two too soon.


Next stop was to see my barber Angelo and get a hair cut. It turns out that he is in the process of moving to his new location at the Centre Mall (or whatever they call it these days). He said that he'd be open at his new location on Thursday.
Looks to me like the construction boys better pick up the pace!


Next stop was Lowes to pick up some electrical parts for the basement and whose car do I see in the parking lot??????


Chris was checking out carpet with her Mother for her condo.
I went for a coffee with them and then went back to Mae's to do some rough measuring for carpet.
She's still thinking about it..........


Then on to Kelsey's (where else) to meet Chad an old (loose term) co-worker that I haven't seen for about a year. Chad was one of the gifted young folks at Dofasco that I enjoyed working with so much and he spent a year in Europe with parent company Arcelor Mittal performing the same magic globally that he was doing at Dofasco. We got together to celebrate his escape from Arcelor-Mittal-Dofasco!!! He is leaving at the end of the month and moving onto bigger and better things.
We had a great time catching up over wings and beer and it was great to be able to sit outside.


Besides his highly successful IT career, Chad is probably most famous for recording FishGuts first CD (Big FishGuts Debut) in his studio Drink Your Head Off Studios......... okay , okay actually, Put On Your Drinking Cap Studios
Good luck in your next career Chadster, although I know that is already a given.