Grampa was still posting when I joined in '13.

Unfortunately, as I get older and life becomes busier, it's time to step aside for a while ... Be good

 

Auf Wiedersehen (until we meet again)

 

John 

10 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Dude, I got shirts older than you are.

I’ve got jeans older than him, too, but I don’t get any love around here when I can’t crop them out of my pictures 🫣

The cold makes old injuries hurt more than it used to. All the talk about hair reminded me of the 3” eyebrow hair my son pulled out of my face yesterday. He was trying not to laugh until I told at least it’s shorter than the one I found growing out of my earlobe. Then he yukked it up. 

On 1/14/2025 at 10:02 PM, papajoe222 said:

The worst thing for me is the hearing loss combined with tenitis, both of which get worse as time goes by. 

 

I've got this too.  In my left ear.  Its 100% due to firearms.  I shoot right handed and my right ear is covered up when I shoot, but my left ear is exposed.  I've lost my ability to hear at a high frequency out of my left ear, and was diagnosed with tennitis there a few years ago.  I now wear a hearing aid in that ear.

 

To anyone out there that still has their ability to hear properly out of both ears: protect it.  Wear hearing protection even when you are doing something as simple as mowing the lawn.  Once the damage is done, you can't reverse it.

3 hours ago, gim said:

In my left ear.  Its 100% due to firearms.

I guess I'm lucky - was part of the Junior Small Bore competitions as a teen, hunted grouse with a 12 gauge and rabbit/squirrel with a .22 - never wore hearing protection.

 

On the advice (read nagging) of the wife, had it tested last year. 100% pass including the highs that some teens can't hear cause of their music habits. No loss at any range, no tenitis - just perfect hearing....which at 65 years old is a blessing.

What?

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

never wore hearing protection.

 

I don't wear it either.  I need to hear a deer walking, a pheasant flushing, or a turkey gobbling.

 

I wear muffs when I'm at the range, obviously.

 

If I could go back in time I would take more steps to protect my hearing.

My 1st realization my hearing wasn’t good was at a Christmas program that had bell ringers from very small high pitch to big bells with low pitch. I could see the bells being shaken but only hear the middle bells. This was an eye opener and had hearing my hearing tested and needed aides. 
Surprised how many words we hearing incorrectly without aides.

Never wore ear protection driving fuel race cars or shooting during my youth.
Tom

13 hours ago, gim said:

To anyone out there that still has their ability to hear properly out of both ears: protect it.  Wear hearing protection even when you are doing something as simple as mowing the lawn.  Once the damage is done, you can't reverse it.

I hope the word spreads,. as I don't wish tennitis on anyone. I was in the artillery and the only protection offered back then was the gunner shouting 'cover your ears.' The ringing in my ears didn't begin until 15yrs. after I was discharged. Hearing loss due to age may not be avoidable, but this can be. Shooting while hunting, be it rifle or shotgun isn't a culprit as you may only take one or two shots at a deer, or half a dozen a birds during an outing. And it isn't just loud bangs. More people are discovering when they get into their 40's that the loud music they were exposed to when they were young has begun to take its toll

Electric socks have made a huge difference for me fishing through the winter...and occasionally even in the house

  

 

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

Electric socks have made a huge difference for me fishing through the winter...and occasionally even in the house

  

 

You should add an electric vest. I wear it just over my undershirt and then layer over it. Turn it on about 30 minutes before you go out and its heavenly.

 

Used to ride my motorcycle into work in upper 30s low 40s in NY. Then I moved south and got used to the temps here and for sure cannot adjust back when I go and visit. My brother in law has on shorts and I'm next to him layered up.

 

Woke up the other day and all the cracking from my joints getting out of bed sent my wife into a fit of laughter. She claims if our baby was still in our room it would have woke him him 🙄. I'm only 37....not looking good lol. 

On 1/10/2025 at 12:02 PM, A-Jay said:

I live in a place where it's pretty cold much of the year.  And while I don't totally hate the cold, I don't like to feel the cold on me;

especially a cold wind.  I can agree that as I get older, I am less tolerant of that feeling, however I think I finally figured out my biggest problem.  I wasn't wearing enough clothes. In particular the right clothes.  The hitch in my giddy up was that I don't like bulky bulky clothing and layers and four coats and six pants and eight shirts and twenty two socks.

So as soon as I figured out how to get the layers right and get over the fact that I'm going to need to be at least a little bulky in order to be warm,  I did much better. 

Merino wool, polar fleece and over sized boots are all now my best friends, Oct -May.  Finally, I refuse to wear white shoes.

A-Jay

 

 

@A-Jay, could you detail some of your strategies for how to dress? That would help me (and maybe others).

1 hour ago, CoryRobertLowe said:

@A-Jay, could you detail some of your strategies for how to dress? That would help me (and maybe others).

OK ~ 
For air temps and or wind chills on the water that dip into or below the 30's,

I wear a moisture wicking (thin) base layer top & bottom.

Brands are Columbia, Simms, & Under Amour.

Second layer is mid to heavy weight Thermal Midlayer top & bottom (Simms)

Next is a thermal wind blocking fleece heavy weight Hoodie. (Simms)

Finally I cover it all up with a Simms Insulated Challenger Jacket & Bibs.

The feets get Cabela's Midcalf Polypropylene Liner, Simms Men's Merino Thermal OTC Socks,

and slightly oversized Columbia Titanium Insulated Boots. 

A-Jay 

i'm okay with the cold.  i wear good stuff, in general.

 

as i get older, i notice i get surprise-notices more often from my body's sewage department.  hahaha..

 

"i gotta go!"

I'm only 33 but it's not a young 33. I have a spectrum hypermobility disorder that causes regular proximal dislocations of my left fibula, and arthritis in my hands and feet. I also pull my tendons really easily if I cast wrong. Currently though, my biggest gripe is being on my second bout with freaking shingles on my right side. Sure doesn't feel like 33 some days

I'm feeling it right now...

 

Been working on a bathroom remodel for the wife...two new windows and a new bathtub, both installed by professionals. My duties included tearing out the old tile, removing base and trim, installing new backerboard and porcelain tile. 

 

Started Saturday morning with a trip to Menards and the tile store. Got the GoBoard fit, cut and installed. Projects just seem to take longer the older I get. 

 

Spent a lot of time Sunday getting the vinyl snap in flooring fit around the curved tub. What a pain in the tail that was(!). Also had to rummage up some new base and shoe, and get that all fit back in. Mowed the lawn, then Daughter and her fiance were over for dinner (Smoked some pork butts). 

 

Today I nailed trim around window, and base/shoe, then busted out the 30 year old tile saw. That didn't end well...thankfully my neighbor is a super-handy-man, and loaned me his Rigid tile saw. That made the job so much easier!! I really like laying tile, but the layout and preparation take a lot of time. I spent an hour and a half cutting three holes in the tile for the faucet. My drill bit was super slow. 

 

After 12 straight hours I finally set the last tile. Cleaned up, popped some ibuprofen, and took a shower. I'm still wide awake...but my body hurts from all the kneeling, standing, bending over to cut tile, kneeling again, getting back up. 

 

Did not fish once this weekend...but the bathtub is finished! Grout and caulk are next. Wife is pretty darn happy!

On 1/10/2025 at 3:49 PM, T-Billy said:

buy wide cold weather boots. Gotta have some insulating air space in there even when wearing wool socks. 

Just changed my world brother, thank you

On 2/27/2025 at 7:42 AM, Functional said:

all the cracking from my joints getting out of bed

I'm a little younger than you but it sounds like a fireworks finale when I get up. And small shows throughout the day from my feet to my neck. 

 

The cold bothers me now

On 1/10/2025 at 11:20 PM, Glenn said:

Feeling more cautious when doing physical activities

This started immediately after having my first child, I used to be the jump off the top step down the concrete flight, jump out of a moving car going 35 (true story), jump out of a plane, jump the gun kinda guy when it came to rFiUsNk

 

Second I became a dad I turned 85 years getting nervous to walk down a hill too fast and fall... because what if I get hurt? Then I can't work and we won't be able to pay the mortgage and we won't be able to buy groceries and I won't be able to help with the kids and we'll burn through our savings and I'll end up working 3 jobs for pennies each and never see my family because I'll be working 80 hours a week

 

Now I walk slow 

I just turned 51 and the cold doesn't really affect me any worse than in the past.  I think a big part of it for me is figuring out exactly what I need to wear when it's cold.  I fish a lot during the early and late season and the weather rarely stops me.   However, I don't fish unless the highs are in the mid 30s or above (I don't want to mess with icey ramps and ice in the guides).  This is what I wear in those conditions (35-50):

 

3 layers on the bottom:  2 pairs of thin, thermal long underwear (Cabela's polar weight and a lightweight pair of Marmot bottoms) and pair of pants- usually cargo pants

 

6 layers on the top:  2 thin pairs of the thermal underwear (Reebok polar weight mock turtleneck and an addidas spandex top), a looser cotton long sleave T-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt or sweater, fitted Columbia vest with Omni Heat (this was something I added a few years back and makes a big difference), and either a soft shell jacket or thin insulated coat.  I started wearing a thin insulated Kuhl jacket this spring and it has kept me warmer than the windstopper Marmot softshell that used to be my outer layer.  I still opt for the softshell if it's supposed to rain since it's waterproof.  I often bring a heavier coat that I stow in the boat if I really get cold but I haven't worn that in years.  

 

Guidewear uninsulated bibs.

 

Hiking boots and heavy socks.  I used to wear heavier boots but I've learned the heavy socks and Merrell midweight hikers is enough.  Plus, it's a lot easier to work the foot pedal with the hikers than with bigger hunting boots.  

 

I also wear a baklava scarf/hat/facemask that I will adjust for how cold I am.  I prefer to use latex gloves with a hand warmer in the palm but sometimes I'll need to put on my batting gloves or I have a pair of thin bow hunters gloves that are relatively warm that I can still cast with.

 

The key is experimenting and finding what you need for the temperature range you want to fish.  I know I have a hodgepodge of different brands but a lot of different ones will work.  I've got my layering down to a science and I know I won't be cold in that 35-45 range temps.  Fishing when you're cold sucks!

eww..this hits home.  i am getting older.  i noticed i chill faster than my younger wife.  i used to love being cool...now, get me a hoodie.  and i sleep with pants now.

 

thankfully i live where a hoodie or light jacket gets it done.  

39 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i am getting older.  i noticed i chill faster than my younger wife

I hear you there - I sometimes put on a sweatshirt over my t-shirt in the house cause I'm chilled, while at the same time my 5-1/2 year younger wife turns on the fan cause she's 'too warm'.

 

(silently screams to the ether about the unfairness of it).