Thursday, May 21, 2015

Friday, May 8, 2015

Music Anyone? (05/08/15)

Hello Folks,

This may be a little bit off of my typical "fishing blog" entry, but my life has been improved greatly by music. I wonder how many of my "Fishing With Dad", FB Family, and Friends knew or remember Micky Sinopoli?

Micky Sinopoli introduced me to the joy of playing the accordion many, many years ago. Mickey was known as the premier accordion player in Lancaster, Pa. My two older brothers, Denny and Jim, also started their music adventures with the accordion and Mickey. I still remember wanting to play the piano, but our family couldn't afford a standup piano. If only we would have had "electronic keyboards" like we do in today's world, I may have never been introduced to the accordion and Micky Sinopoli. 

I moved on to playing trombone in third/fourth grade (?) with Mr. Bromhall. I attended Burrowes Elementary School in Lancaster Township, Pa. during that time and would take a bus to Buchanan Elementary School once a week for band practice... We had a weekly lesson at Burrowes, also. I continued with trombone in Lancaster Township Junior High and on to J.P. McCaskey with Mr. Don Trostle. My weekly lessons continued with Mr. Trostle during high school.

After college, I picked up the trombone again and played with "The Sound of Roses" for awhile until I studied the bass and six-string guitar with Joe Goff. I also had guitar lessons with Bill and later with Trey Alexander at the Music Mansion off of Rt. 999. Back in the 1980's I took keyboard lessons from Gaye (Albright) Mentzer. I eventually began to play a keyboard with both hands... LOL!

I have always considered myself a lucky soul to have had such a great list of music instructors throughout my life... Learning to play a musical instrument(s) has been a joy and I would highly recommend it to anyone no matter what age or personal ability.

Take Care and Be Safe!
Dad 

Thursday, April 30, 2015

First Trip of 2015 With Dell Jackson (04/30/2015)

Hello Folks,

I got a call this past week from my very good friend, Dell Jackson. Dell and I used to work together at both Marticville and Manor Middle Schools in the Penn Manor School District. Dell is currently a seventh grade math teacher for Penn Manor and has one more year to serve until he retires. As for me, I have been retired as a guidance counselor for the past nine years... Wow! It doesn't seem that long...

Dell had a new aluminum boot placed on his jet motor and also had his bench seat reconditioned by the woman who does work for Lakeside Marine. The seat covers looked very nice. I also noticed that Dell had a new trolling motor mounted since we were last out fishing together. He has a new "used" 70 lb thrust Minn Kota with five speeds. It ran well in the current for the size boat he runs.

We decided to head to Columbia, Pa. and fish in and around the Rt. 462 Bridge and the west shoreline... The weather was beautiful! The air temperature was in the low-70s and the water temperature was 53 degrees and clear. The water level has been dropping over the past four days since I fished with Josh Kreider on Sunday.

We hit the water around 4:30 p.m. and fished until 7:00 p.m. We caught a couple of fish, including Dell's small walleye...

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We tossed Mouse colored War Eagles, tubes, and clear white grubs throughout our trip. We nailed one smallie on a spinnerbait and the rest came on soft plastics. 

Walleye Season opens this coming Saturday, May 2, 2015. Walleye limit is six fish at 15" and above... This is a good time for Dell since he loves hunting for Spring Gobbler which opens in Pennsylvania this coming Saturday. Dell is heading to his cabin on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River after school on Friday and he's towing his boat north for some walleye fishing. He should have a great three days up north this coming Friday thru Monday. The weatherman is calling for great weather.

Dell's boat ran well for it's first outing of the season. It took a bit to get the winterization fluids through it's carbs, but once we ran the boat for a few minutes, it ran well even against the current.

There were about five other boats out and fishing the area we were hanging in. Several had launched from the Columbia Ramp and a few others came out of the Wrightsville Ramp. There were even several recreational kayakers out on the west shoreline for a relaxing evening paddle.

Thanks to Dell for asking me out last evening. We had a great time catching up since we last fished together... Good luck up on the North Branch this weekend, buddy! I know that you cannot hunt for turkey since you are still recovering from your replaced right shoulder. But you did an excellent job casting that new baitcaster you got for Christmas. The new St. Croix Mojo Rod is also a beauty... Keep practicing with it and you'll become a pro in no time!

Take Care and Be Safe!
Dad

Monday, April 20, 2015

First Trip on Josh's Rock Proof and John William's UHMW Poly Bottoms (04/20/15)

Hello Folks,

This past weekend, Josh invited me on my first fishing trip on his brand new "Rock Proof Boat"... We are still thinking of an appropriate name to call this beast... Joe Raymond's 250 Hp Merc IB "Rock Proof" is called "Rockzilla" (Radical!) which is a great name for his monster rig. Now Joe is building a second rig with a 200 Hp Merc... We can't wait to see how this one turns out.

"Josh Gives The Thumbs Up as We Start our Day"...
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"Look what we found in the one storage compartment... Steve Halbleib's Spinnerbait Box filled with Brand New Colored Bladed Nichol's Spinnerbaits"... Oh, Yeah!
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I was able to snap a few pictures of Josh's new rig for you "Fishing With Dad" bloggers... Check out some of the neat designs and work on these pics...

"Console":
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"Minn Kota Talons and the New 2015 Yamaha 115/80 Jet" ... What a Beast of a Motor!
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The water temperature was running about 57.7 degrees most of the trip. When we ran closer to the Dock Street Dam, the water in mid-river dropped to 52 degrees. The river was a bit dirty, but not too bad that one could still toss a jerkbait and see it well enough in the water. Most of our fish came on plastic tubes in an assortment of colors.

Josh was preparing for a NASS Club Tournament on the next day, Sunday... Our goal was to stay away from any areas that he knew he wanted to fish during the very next day. So we hit about three or four spots and spent most of our time concentrating on a variety of lures. The biggest fish we caught was a 17.25" on a Cabin Creek Smoke Purple tube...

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I believe that 20 lbs was brought in by Fred of NASS on Sunday and that topped the scales for first place.

John William's UHMW Poly...
This past weekend, John Williams sent me a few pictures of his UHMW poly process for the bottom of aluminum jet rigs. John has done his own boat a few years ago and will now be developing a business of adding UHMW poly on the bottom of rigs. This is a time consuming job that requires the motor to be removed and the gas tanks drained.

John has, what one might refer to as, a rotisserie set up for the jet rigs... Check out some of the pics he sent me this weekend. The beginning process is to upload the jet rig and prepare the aluminum rig by sanding the bottom and preparing for the "glue and screw" process... Great looking job, John. John also has added the ribs and keel line for better control...

In the near future, John will create his own website to advertize his work and a blog to discuss the process... Please keep an eye out for his upcoming work!

Preparation and Sanded bottom:
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The start of the UHMW Poly attachment to aluminum rig:
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Beautiful work, John...
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I would encourage anyone who expresses an interest in adding the UHMW poly to the bottom of your jet rig to contact John Williams in the near future for pricing and dates for work... I believe he is looking towards June 2015 as a period to start up his business...

Take Care and Be Safe!
Dad


Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter 2015

Hello Folks,

It has been several weeks since I last owned my G3 1860 DLX . With the help of JC Nuss at Lakeside Marine, all the paperwork was accomplished on a very sad day for us all. I have had a couple of down years and it was probably the best move for me overall. I was also able to help my son buy a new Re-Curve Bow and Limbs to advance his archery skills. Zach was able to shoot in an archery league with his Compound Bow this past winter and really, really enjoyed it. During the season, he became interested in the Re-Curve Bows that are used in the Olympics and met a couple of very talented female archers that were trained at the Olympic Training Center.

Once his limbs arrive at the "Lancaster Archery Supply", he will set up lessons and begin planning for the next league.

I also have arranged for my Borla Cat-Back Black Tipped exhaust system with a cold air intake and tuning to be done on the Mustang during the week of April 13, 2015 by "Brady's High Performance" on Millwood Rd, Willow Street, Pa. Brady installed my Borla Exhaust System in my F-150 back in 2006 and I was very pleased with his work and the performance I received from the 2005 F-150.

I suspect that I will gain approximately and additional 20-25 hp on my 2015 50th Anniversary Mustang with this upcoming work. We joked about supercharging the Mustang to 627 hp... Wow, what a "mean machine" that would be. A Edlebrock supercharger would run about $7500. Brady likes these systems better than the Roush. He told me that when you get on the Roush once or twice and it heats up, the system tends to lose a bit of hp at the steering wheel. The Edlebrocks don't seem to perform the same and are more suited for the higher end performance... I trust Brady and his team at "High Performance".

The other week, I took the Mustang to Keller Brothers in Lititz, Pa. to have a little bit of touch up paint done after I scratched a couple of spots on the hood near the passenger windshield wiper. I also had a nick on the rear passenger side plastic bumper that happened during a drive... Their Touch Up Man did an excellent job and I am very pleased with his work. I wouldn't hesitate taking the Mustang back to him for work in the future.

HAPPY EASTER 2015 - To my family and friends...

I got to see "Furious 7" on Friday and really enjoyed the story line. It was, by my opinion, the best of all seven. I will miss Paul Walker and his character. They did a very nice tribute to him at the end of the movie... "For Paul".

Take Care and Be Safe
Dad



 

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Josh Kreider's Rock Proof Boat (03/11/15)

Hello Folks,

It has been a long time since I last posted a blog entry here at "Fishing With Dad" and I have really missed all the fishing action... I have even been bouncing around the idea of selling my G3 1860 DLX... Yes, but I am not certain that I want to do this big move. Oh well, I guess I will make my decision by March 2015.

My good fishing partner, Josh Kreider, has his new "Rock Proof Boat" now in hand. All that he needs to do is add the trolling motor and electronics. It should be ready to go by this coming weekend... And there are areas of the river available to fish upon.

Here are several pictures of his new "Rock Proof Boat"...


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Isn't she a beaut! I teased Josh that everyone who he knows now wants to go fishing with him even non-fishermen... His Facebook page has been buzzing with excitement with those asking questions about his new jet rig. I can remember how exciting it was when I built the "Barge II" back in 2001... I was able to get everything I ever wanted built into that rig. It ran over $20,000 and that was 13 years ago... A boat like mine would sell for well over $25,000 today according to JC Nuss at Lakeside Marine in Harrisburg, Pa.

Josh told me that he will have his rig on the water by this coming weekend... Looking forward to it!

On Saturday, March 14, 2015, Herschel Finch, a good friend from Virginia, will be traveling to Lancaster, Pa. to bring his wife to the "Quilting Convention" in Lancaster. Julie and I are getting our taxes done early on Saturday morning and once I return Julie home, I will be meeting Herschel at the "Susquehanna Fishing Tackle" shop.

It's been quite a few years since I've last seen Herschel. We used to do a lot of kayak fishing together back before I had my hand/wrist and elbow surgeries. I am now looking forward to seeing him once again... As long as all goes well and they make the trip north.

Please keep my wife, Julie, in your prayers as she continues to heal from the fall she took back on Sunday January 15, 2014. She had two plates placed in her right lower leg that Sunday... One plate on each bone in her shin. She currently is wearing a purple cast and walking with a "Knee Walker/Scooter". Julie cannot place any of her weight on her right leg for at least six weeks and it could take up to six months to completely heal. That is an awfully long time to be tied up. I hope that she'll be able to use the swimming pool during the hotter months for her rehabilitation.

I have been currently caring for the household... Shopping, groceries, laundry, and all meals. She can still get to the computer to keep our finances in order.. Thank goodness! She will not be able to drive until she can place pressure on her right leg... This may be quite some time until she can get behind the wheel of our car/truck again.

Tomorrow, after PT, I will be heading north to Keller Brothers Ford of Lititz, Pa. A couple of weeks ago, I was removing ice from the front windshield of the new Mustang and I scraped the paint along the edge of the front hood... UGH! I was so upset with myself. So, tomorrow, they will tell me what we will need to do to correct this problem. We do have insurance to cover any dings, scratches, or dents... We took this special insurance out the very day we bought the vehicle just for things like this! I am hoping that they can make my Mustang like new again... Please, God! :)

Spring is coming soon. Trout are being stocked in over 23 streams and one lake here locally. The ice on the river is slowly breaking up and the river is on a slow rise... This slow thaw is perfect for not allowing flooding to occur.

I cannot wait to get back on the water for my 54th year of fishing! Spring and Fall are my two favorite times to go fishing... Although, I will fish anytime, anywhere!

Take Care and Be Safe!
Dad

Thursday, February 12, 2015

"The NRA Great American Outdoor Show" - February 7 through February 15, 2015

Hello Folks,

This past Saturday (Feb. 7), I gathered up my outdoor show materials and headed up to the Harrisburg Mall to catch the free bus shuttle over to "The NRA Great American Outdoor Show 2015". When I arrived at the Marclay Avenue Entrance, I phoned JC Nuss of Lakeside Marine to come to the entrance to meet me. He brought my Exhibitor's Pass along and I got into the show to start my day in helping "Lakeside Marine" of Harrisburg.

We had a great crowd for the first day of events. I took a short walk towards afternoon to meet Jason Shay. Jason is a guide for the Ken Penrod "Life Outdoors Unlimited". There were several guides present at the show to meet with potential customers and arrange guide services for the upcoming year.

JC and Barb Nuss were present at the "Lakeside Marine" display. Dan Griffin of Jet Wing, LLC  was also present at "Lakeside Marine" Booth #2022 in the Fishing Boat Hall.

This show present the opportunities for individuals who are interested in kicking a few tires and viewing the eleven boats in our display area. The boats are at "Boat Sale Prices" and these will run until the "Open House" in March 19 - 21, 2015.

If you stop by the "Lakeside Marine" display, you will be able to pick up a sales paper and a listing of all used boats on the lot.

I will be returning to the show tomorrow morning around 10:30 a.m. I am starting PT once again at "Drayer PT" at 8:00 a.m. in the morning. I will be working on my replaced left knee once again. I have a goal in mind for this coming Spring 2015. In an earlier post on "Fishing With Dad", I had mentioned that I bought a new Sun Bicycle. My goal is to be competent enough to ride that bicycle by this coming Spring. In order to do so, I will need to improve my extension and flexion and bit more so that I will be able to fully peddle the bicycle. I can now peddle the recumbent bicycle because of it's setup. The normal two-wheeled bicycle must be set a bit higher than normal for me to be able to get my replaced left knee around in a full peddle... I am hoping for major improvement through the PT so I can meet my goal.

So, if you visit the "Great American Outdoor Show" , stop on by and say "Hello!"

Take Care and Be Safe!
Dad