DaubsNU1

I went through cheap, gas station sunglasses like a hot knife through butter. This was years ago. Finally decided to invest in a good pair of sunglasses, and got them fitted to my face / head (they heat and bend them to sit just right). Spent some good $$ on them.. And I took care of them. Using glass cleaner and microfiber cloth often. And always keeping them in case when not in use. They lasted many years, until I upgraded to some Smith cycling glasses with interchangeable lenses around 2000. Liked them so much, I got a few more pairs, and more lenses to swap in and out. Still take good care of them...and they are still serving me well after 20+ years. Purchase good sunglasses, take care of them, make sure they are protected and clean, and they will last you many years.

My Dad still owns the 1962 Chevy Impala he took delivery of on his 21st birthday...it has 80k miles and is still going strong. I'm restoring a 1972 Chevy K-20...will likely never wear out. My daily driver is a 2005 Honda Accord, nicknamed "Taco." it's got just over 100k miles to date. Picked up this car used from an elder gentlemen, it had 48k. My Honda guy said the following, "those years of Accords are very solid...keep up on maintenance, change fluids, etc...you will get sick of driving it. Trust me on this one..." I have no doubt electric cars are going to get better and better. But right now, no way I'm trading in my old, reliable gas and diesel vehicles for something battery powered.

In 1996 a friend suggested I write down my "100 Wishes" for life. I was 29 when I started this list. Last time I updated that list was 2006... This thread reminded me of that document...so I searched and found it again (gotta love computers). Some completed bucket list items: Get a yellow lab, train him to hunt ducks (I've done this twice...and the third yellow lab is now 9 months old and getting ready for the season) Hike the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park (I've also hiked Yellowstone, volcano's national park in Hawai'i, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Tetons, Moab) Hunt Alaska (fly-in, self guided caribou hunt with three buddies...I had never camped before...spent a week rafting down river...great experience!) Fish Canada (some buddies connected to a lodge owner...I've fished Lac Seul three times for walleye, pike, and smallies) Start a business (I've been a picture-guy as a side job for 10+ years now). Some yet to be completed bucket list items: Catch a 10lb bass Catch a 30lb musky Visit Germany, D-day beaches, Siberia, Egypt

Those are great points. I'm curious about the global production of lithium to power electric vehicles. I worry about the power grid handling all this increased demand. Heck, even here in Nebraska my 81 year old dad was without power last winter when we sent electricity down to Texas in our shared grid. I worry about brown-outs in California. I worry about water in Lake Mead. I wonder where we will dispose of all those used batteries? I am sure with technological advances, all these worries / questions will be solved and answered. I would certainly love to have the option of a vehicle strong enough to tow this to Montana and back. I'm sure not all electric vehicle batteries will cost this much to replace. We will continue to get better technology...I'm sure people complained about the new "horse-less carriage" back in the early 1900's...look where we are now.

Most of my "if I could go back" are centered around hunting: I would duck hunt a great marsh in south central Nebraska more, before the Game and Parks teamed up with the Feds to completely ruin a great waterfowl location! (oh, they referred to it as "renovation"...). I miss days like this, and I miss this old yellow lab...should have hunted with him more. I would have stopped hunting public for deer many years ago, and cultivated some lasting relationships with Ranchers. I'm stubborn, and kept thinking I could find success if I only worked harder, walked further, hunted more. I did put a tag on this bruiser, on public land, in Nebraska. But most years, I saw more hunters than deer.

I was close to putting down my spinning gear, and then I found this site a few years back. Years ago I tried straight braid on my spinning set ups, but never liked how it performed. Granted, I was running 30lb braid...just didn't seem to work well for me. Read about braid to leader, didn't like the idea of an extra knot. Finally MADE myself try it last spring. Game changer! Downsized to 10lb bright yellow PowerPro, to 8 or 10lb fluorocarbon leader. Casts a mile, great sensitivity, I can see the line and detect those light hits. Yes, I do have to cast it out and hold tension on the line to eliminate twist every once and a while. And I'm no where near as accurate casting vs. my bait-casters. My boat holds 6 rods comfortably...I generally take three bait-casters, and three spinning rods. Another nice thing for my set ups...I cast with left hand, and reel with right for my bait-casters...and cast with right hand, and reel with left for my spinning setups. If one arm starts getting tired...I just switch it up.

I quit drinking soda/pop/caffeine when in high school. Made a big difference. About five years ago my wife had some serious gut / digestive issues, and spent a week in the hospital. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She went gluten and dairy free... I stopped eating gluten, partially to support her, partially because there wasn't any around the house...but more importantly, it made me feel better! No more irritable bowl, loose stools, feeling bloaty, etc. Dairy is still a "go-to" for me, especially when I'm stressed. When I cut dairy out of my diet for a few days, I do feel much better. One big change I made recently was to eliminate all vegetable oils. And that stuff is in just about everything! Again, I feel much better. Side note, have been dropping pounds as well! So I basically eat the following: meat, vegetables both raw and cooked, fruits, nuts, and some dairy. Nothing processed, no breads, pasta, etc., no chips, protein bars, very little alcohol (again, makes me feel like crap). I do like me some sausage, polka kielbasa, jimmy dean hot breakfast sausage, deer sticks, stuff like that. Again, doesn't make me feel great...but I'll take the bullet now and then.

^^ This from @Cbump ^^ It's on all my bait-casters, and even running bright yellow 10lb PowerPro on my spinning rods. Hard to beat.

Good on you for tackling this project @flyfisher! My 81 year old Dad was a carpenter by trade, but a mechanic, electrician, plumber, etc. be nature. Not much that man could not fix! Well, he's no good with a computer, and a cell phone...that is where I pay him back for all the knowledge he shared with me! I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to vehicles, and home projects...some of my more memorable accomplishments / struggles include: Replacing the timing belt in my '85 Accord. Talk about tight spaces Pulling 305V8 from my '82 Chevy K-10, sending to the engine shop...then re-installing...only to get ticked about the performance...then replacing the camshaft and lifters with the engine in the truck. (I was 22 at the time...Dad just shook his head...I got it back and running...it was better with the new cam). Pulling the 350V8 from my 1972 K-20, and replacing with a crate motor. Changed out the Holly for an Edelbrock carburetor Replaced the power steering pump Replacing the master cylinder soon Rust work on my 2004 2500HD wheel wells. The latest is "renovation" time on the 1972 K-20. Lots of rust work to be done. And paint. Engine still runs great! All this has to wait as I finish up the above ground pool restoration. The liner died last winter...and part of the wall collapsed in. I dis-assembled, re-leveled, and re-assembled. Of course, I've forgotten key steps / parts along the way...and have had to take apart and re-assemble multiple times : ) HA! Hang in there! You are creating great memories, and accomplishments, and saving some $$ at the same time! Heck, the pool guys wanted $1k for the liner, and another $1k to install. I got a liner on-line for $460, and have another $200 in stuff from Menards.

I got away from spinnerbaits for a while (and jigs as well), but recently started throwing them again. My uncle throws spinnerbaits all day, every day, and likely nothing else. He's one of those "if you ain't fishing my way, you are not doing it right..." so I tended to gravitate away from SB's. But this spring I decided to toss them again. I see lots of angler throwing plastics, wacky rigs, some cranks...very few throwing SB's on the lakes I fish. So I figured, what the heck. I toss them at rip-rap, submerged weed-beds, in timber, drop offs, beds, etc. Had great luck this spring and summer. My favorite way to fish them is in flooded timber / trees. I can roll-cast and hit spots under trees, in small openings, then slowly work the SB near cover, even bouncing off limbs, etc. Landed a nice 5lb LMB tossing SB underneath fishing pier earlier this summer. White and chartreuse, and white are my favorites. Lately I've been adding a white or chartreuse power-grub as a trailer. Double willow, or willow and Colorado blades, 3/8 oz. Good luck!!

Outstanding @jbsoonerfan!!!! What a great time to be a Dad and a Coach! Enjoy every minute, every inning, every pith. It goes by so fast! My daughter's played softball (and basketball) through high school. I did not coach, but found my connection with the camera. Daughter's high school softball Coach was also the basketball Coach...he allowed me total access to the team, and even managed to get me a press pass. What fun and what a run for both my kiddos! Sitting courtside as they won a state title...what great memories! The heartbreak of finishing state-runner-up in softball two consecutive years And the jubilation of winning a state title as a Senior. What fun!!! ENJOY!!!

I think largely it is a "don't know what they don't know..." situation with blocking ramps. First time wife and I took our kayaks out, I had to explain it to her...she simply did not know. Kind of like blocking the diesel pump...people just don't know.

Coincidence.... I fished by two guys in a 20' skeeter today, complete with 250HP and power poles...they just glared at me and kept right on moving. I even waved, and the one guy pretended like he didn't see me : ( Another guy in a Ranger was very nice. Two guys in Yaks were nice as well, and gave me some suggested places to fish (first time for me on this particular lake).

Another vote for trolling motor + spot lock. My boat doesn't have it...but my Brother's boat does. I cannot wait for the day when I get spot-lock.

The plan was to sell my 2004 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 and my 2014 Accord, and have just one vehicle to drive. I had owned both since new...the HD had the 8.1/496 Big Block...great truck...sold with 136k on the clock. The Accord had just under 88k. Upgraded to this 2019 2500HD Duramax. Great truck! Wife was none-to-happy...but then figured we could get a 5th wheel, because this truck would have no problems towing : ) She has since changed her mind...and has nicknamed my truck, "Precious" (Lord of the Rings reference...) Was piling on the miles as my daily driver...wife actually suggested I get another car to daily drive. My 30 mile on-way commute is done driving the 2005 Accord sedan. It knocks down 30 MPG all day long. The truck has 33k...the Accord now has 99k. Love them 2004's.... This was my daily driver from 2004 until 2010...ordered from factory. Sold and went Diesel...

Good to hear about @Siebert Outdoors. Next time I'm looking, will certainly head there. Being the cheap-o that I am, I'll use what I have first...

Strong work! You did them a solid.

I don't have any "technique-specific" combos. I have 8 rods from purchased in the 1990's. I like rods that can multi-task. Typically take three spinning rods, and three bait-casters on my boat. Lately I've been leaving the Berkley medium-heavy bait-caster and one of my medium action spinning rods at home. I am pretty confident throwing anything in my arsenal with the 6 rods on my boat. When I fish on my brother's boat, I bring just two rods...the Cabela's XML-Ti spinning rod, and the Fish Eagle II Cx2 bait-caster. They meet 90% of my needs when fishing.

I've got two good work friends...we have been working together for 10+ years. We go to lunch during work hours...but never hang out when after work or outside of work. Do have a group text, send funny memes at all hours of the day. They are great people. I have six buddies went to college with...one was my lottery-pick roommate. We have been close for 30 years...in each other's weddings...etc. We all still gather to hunt and fish three-four times a year.

I started running 10lb PowerPro on my spinning rods since last spring. I do get wind knots occasionally when I'm throwing finesse rigs or drop-shots. What I found helps: About ever 10 to 15 casts....I turn away from the bank, and make a long cast...then hold tension on the line as I reel.

I remember practicing my pitching and flipping with bait-caster many years ago. Got fairly good at hitting my spots. I've always been pretty good a hitting spots with overhand and side-arm casts on both spinning and bait-casting. I've gotten pretty good at roll casting this spring. I can roll cast under tree limbs, docks, etc. A quick google search found a video...

You might think about getting a belly-boat, some waders and kick fins. Not glamorous, and you won't be able to fish a bunch of different areas...but it will get you on the water. After a few years with the belly-boat, a buddy got a canoe. More access! Hang in there and keep grinding!

Yes, I did as well. Got tired of pulling phone out of my pocket to check time...and dropped it a few times...so started wearing an old watch ~7 years ago. Considered a smart-watch that linked to my phone...but noticed how the smart-watches lost battery quickly, and the technology kept changing so fast...always seemed to be a newer version out every year. And my eyes were having trouble focusing on the small fonts. So I just kept wearing my old watch. Wife surprised me with a fantastic wedding gift -- Tag-Hauer watch. Love it! Black face, easy to read, battery lasts 4+ years, dive watch, so it's water proof to 30m. I wear it every day. Don't wear fishing or hunting. I expect it will outlast me.

Do not leave fish to find fish.

Read Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos." Then read the "48 Laws of Power" by author Robert Greene. Or listen to them via Audible. Good starting point...