DaubsNU1

@Way north bass guy OUTSTANDING!!! Great set up you got there!! @gimruis The diesel on my John Deere has plenty of power, throws snow 40+ feet. We don't get a ton of snow here, probably used the JD snow blower three times last year. My Dad had a blade on an old Wheel Horse growing up...it did okay with light stuff, but struggled with drifted snow and wet-heavy snow. I looked at a few blades...glad I found the 54" snow blower used. Saved a bunch of $$. I usually clear my driveway, and 5 of the six other driveways in our circle...I'm out there, having fun...might as well help a neighbor out. The 6th guy has a nice two stage walk behind snow blower...and he likes to move snow : ) Wind blows so dang much here in Nebraska, causing packed drifts. The John Deere really chews through it nicely.

@gimruis My Dad was a carpenter for 40+ years, taught me a TON of stuff, including electrical. I trenched in the wire from house to shop, and did 90% of the wiring myself. The only thing I will not do is power to the big box. That scares the crap out of me. It was fun deciding layout, where to put outlets, where to run 110 vs. 220, lighting, stairs, loft, storage. Thought about polymer/epoxy for the floor, but decided against it. @Way north bass guy what model John Deer did you get?? Found my x750 used in 2018, added 54" snow blower the next summer...again, used. It is the 2-wheel drive version, Yanmar diesel. 75lb wheel weights and chains allow me to snow blow my way up the hill, and to front of house. It's slow going, but gets there.

Thanks! Been a fun project...started with a blank slate in 2018. No power or lights. It's unheated, but has 125amp power supply, wired internet connection, and I have managed to keep mice out for ~3 years.

Just a light dusting of snow last week. Boat is stored for winter, and the mower deck has been swapped out for the snow blower on the John Deere. I'm ready!

I could not agree more. Pretty sure I have this SI stashed somewhere in the house I quit reading SI, and watching MTV many years ago. And quit watching ESPN as well. There are so many other ways to get information on my favorite teams.

** Dissenting voice approaching ** I was all-in on Garmin when renovating my old tin boat a few years back. Really loved the Echomap 7SV touch screen...and was fired up about the Garmin trolling motors. Then my Brother purchased his dream boat, and outfitted it with an Ulterra and Humminbird Helix 9's. It did take me a while to come around, but when it came time to outfit my Adventure, I went away from Garmin and toward Minn Kota / Humminbird. Garmin makes a great product, but after owning both, I am happy to be fishing my Humminbirds.

Tried ice fishing about 25 years ago with some of my buddies who worked for Cabela's. Had all the gear, punched about 20 holes in the ice...set the tip-up's, and stood around waiting for the flags to fly. Weather was nice, and the sun was shining. Bored me to death...I have never been back.

In the spring thousands migrate through south central Nebraska. Very cool!

I work hard for my people, my team. I work hard for my peers, and my supervisor. Mad respect for them all...and will continue to do so for the next ~9 years until retirement. Promises were made to me in the past...and were not kept. Not cool, but I'm employed, and very much enjoy my work.

Most excellent. Blessings to you and the Mrs.

Second time double-pulling, this time it was the ATV trailer behind the 5th wheel instead of the Lund. Usually hunt with my brother, but this time it was a solo trip...he spent weekend with his son hunting waterfowl. About 2 hours in to the 6 hour drive, stopped to get a snack...noticed one of the camper tires looked a little low...and heard the hissing...yep, bolt stuck right through the tire! Thankfully I was just a mile outside town with a Walmart...They got me in, replaced tire, and I was on my way...total down-time just over an hour. Got to spend three whole days riding around the Sandhills, enjoying warm weather, and looking for deer. Another group of hunters have leased up rights to hunt Mule deer on this Ranch, so I get to search for Whitetails. This guy wandered out from center-pivot, trotted for a bit. I got the nocs on him to confirm a Whitetail, and ranged at ~125 yards. He walked about 10 more yards then turned broadside to look my way. Standing, I shouldered my trusty 30-06 and put the crosshairs on his shoulder, then adjusted down just a bit (I am sighted in 2.7" high at 100 yards...that puts me at 0" drop for 250 yards). Pulled the trigger and heard the THUD as the bullet found the mark. Watched him run 80 yards and pile up dead. Broke camp and drove home yesterday. No major mishaps aside from the flat tire. Overall a wonderful trip that is putting meat in the freezer.

Story time: 14 years ago I had a sneaking suspicion the now Ex-wife was partaking in some extra-martial activities. Blackberry's were the mobile phone of choice back in the day, so being the computer saavy nerd that I am, I researched and discovered some software/app that I could place on her phone, and was able to see certain things -- texts, phone numbers dialed, e-mails sent and received. This was the base level application. I received an e-mail every morning with a detailed report of all activities from that phone. After watching for a few weeks, I had all the information needed to confront...and very soon after started proceedings to make her Ex-Mrs.-Daubs. I used the base level application. The more advanced application, when installed on a Blackberry, could to the following: Turn her Blackberry in to a remote listening device(!) With a few clicks on the computer, I could activate her phone, and listen-live. Dial me in as a 3rd party on phone conversations. With the right set up and phone number...any time she called a number, My phone would ring, and I would be connected in as a 3rd party without anyone knowing. Remember, this was FOURTEEN years ago. I can only imagine capabilities today.

Lots of options out there. I outfitted my old 1960's aluminum boat with a Garmin Echomap 7sv on sale for ~$500...had the GT54 transducer...this was three years ago. Mounted the transducer on my trolling motor...20 year old Minn Kota 40lb all terrain cable steer. The Garmin was a good unit, I really appreciated being able to map and mark spots...down and side imaging was good. I think there are lots of options out there from Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance, etc. Look around and search out a good deal. GOOD LUCK!

I am an odd duck...but it works out over the course of a day. Left handed for everything. But for fishing I do it this way...probably because there were limited reel options growing up. Casting rods: I cast with my left hand, reel with my right Spinning rods: I cast with my right hand, reel with my left If one arm gets tired from casting too much...I simply switch it up. Problem solved. I'm 56, been fishing this way for ~40 years....

I have been fishing straight braid on my casting rods since the 1990's. Just this summer I picked up a new casting rod-reel combo, and spooled with braid and fluoro leader. Works well. The others are still straight braid. About three years ago I moved all my spinning rods from mono over to braid and fluoro leader. Could not be happier!

I change the oil every ~5,000 miles regardless of what the oil life monitor says. For all my vehicles, cars or trucks. Have sent in oil samples to Blackstone labs for analysis...all have checked out good so far. The Duramax does have higher maintenance costs...10 quarts of oil. I change he fuel filter every 10k, and the Allison spin-on filter every 10k as well.

Always shoes...bad arches...I have great orthotic inserts...when I don't wear them, or go barefoot...ouch : ( Mainly tennis shoes, and like @T-Billy and @A-Jay, weather dependent. Hikers when it gets colder. I have even fished in neoprene 1200 gram thinsulate chest waders. Stayed warm.

I've been running 20lb Power Pro straight braid on my casting rods for years. Love it.

Old boat build, I moved the seat back a little so I could stand or sit. The cable steer pedal was not fixed, so I could move it around and position as needed. Found myself sitting a lot. New boat has Ulterra with remote. Most days I leave the seats in the back and fish standing up on the front deck. When I want to sit, I move to back and use the remote.

My previous boat lived in the unheated shop 365...I left the ProMariner plugged in 365...kept the batteries in good shape. The new boat is in the house garage now, plugged in to another ProMariner 24/7. This winter the Lund will sleep in the shop. I contacted ProMariner...they said I can keep it plugged in and maintaining the batteries all winter. No problem.

Strong work @A-Jay! My brother has Chevy with the new interior...VERY NICE! He's got the 5.3, and it's a screamer. I cannot imagine how much fun the 6.2 will be : ) My Dad ran Coopers on his truck back in the day and he really liked them. He did Michelin's as well, and got many miles... I swapped out stock rubber for Bridgestone Revo's on my 2004 HD, based mainly on internet reviews. Bad choice...they were shot by 43k miles. Switched to BFG AT-KO's and got 65k miles out of them. HUGE difference with snow / off-road / wet traction as well. Went back to BFG AT's on the 2019...running strong at 45k miles...plenty of tread left. Post pictures when the new ride arrives! New truck day is always most excellent!!

@FishTax Got the zero-line card for console Helix and pretty much mapped out the local lakes I fish often. I really like these units! On my old boat, had Garmin Echomap 7SV with GT54 transducer for two years. Wanted the touch screen and ability to add livescope in future. Debated Garmin vs. Humminbird on the new boat. Brother put Humminbirds on his Alaskan connected to his Minn Kota Ulterra, and I felt side and down imaging was better vs. my Garmin. Glad I went this route. Thought I would miss the touch screen -- I really do not miss it. There are a lot of neat features when you link the Humminbirds to the MK Ulterra. I'm still learning and experimenting. Garmin and Humminbird both make excellent units. I do not think you could go wrong with either set up.

Water temps here in Nebraska were 45-50 last weekend...Headed west to chase deer next weekend. Crossing my fingers that I may have a few more trips to the lake after that.

Rod...but this is a guy fishing 30+ year old rods and reels. : )