I bought my retirement 3 years ago this June. Loan officer said their loan would be for the exact amount of the boat as it came from the dealer. I’m fortunate enough to have several side jobs / “hustles” that provide me with smaller monthly checks that I just saved to buy the trolling motor, graphs, and other miscellaneous items. It took almost two years to save up enough to cover the cost of the electronics – but it sure felt good paying that invoice off in $100 bills!

I purchased Hercules brand braided line off Amazon based on the reviews. I have nothing negative to say about this brand. Other fishermen have told me their braided line fades which Hercules will as well.
I’d buy the brand again.

Congrats on your retirement – you have earned it!
I retired & moved from my main job a good 4 years ago but still work at a big box store for medical benefits. It’s good to stay busy whether it be a new job, donating time to a favorite charity, or work on a hobby.

Interesting mix of songs for each person
I myself have a LOT of Van Halen songs on my iPhone to play in the truck and in the garage when working.

I appreciate the original poster for including the comments from the border superintendent. The information provided was both detailed and complete. Have yet to read anything like this on other web sites.
As much as my group likes my wife’s homemade spaghetti sauce, I’ll not be bringing it up – even if I have receipts for all the ingredients. It’s just not worth the hassle.
Pretty sure our group will buy groceries once we get over the border – probably in Dryden as there are at least 3 good size grocery stores in that town.
I’m still going to bring up extra gas jugs and just pay the tariff out of my pocket. Besides not having to worry about running out of gas on a very remote road, it has to be cheaper that buying gas in Canada.
I might even exchange some US dollars in my town before the trip for best exchange rate and make it easier to pay the tariff at the border.

Funny store on cigarette buts. I was 16 and working at local grocery store as a lot attendant. I’m out there one day sweeping and notice a guy take the car ash tray – full of but – and just dump on the ground and then go into the store. An older customer saw this too and “demanded” that I sweep up the mess – and throw it INTO the guys car through an open window!
I about bust a gut laughing and said no. The guy said he’d do it – give me your broom!!
Ended up sweeping and disposing of the buts & ash myself.

Michael Saal wrote:

Sportsman’s Repair in Mosinee just south of Wausau.

They worked on my retirement boat like 3 years ago. Pricing matched the big box stores, and the quality of their work was phenomenal. Having a local dealer install your electronics would be most helpful should you even need service work done in the future.

I’m semi-retired but do work at a “big box” hardware store in appliance sales.
Always have been in sales – consumer products and then in pro beauty field.
40 something years in sales.

The current job is enjoyable, and the company truly treats the employees quite well.

I myself haven’t removed the trolling motor since I picked up the boat 2 years ago. Boat is stored in an unheated barn over the winter – here in northern Wisconsin. No issues to date.
Batteries & GPS units are stored in my basement workshop.

Like the previous poster stated, you should be made aware of the HOA at the time you are looking at the property. Rules of HOA should be made readily available – especially off of a web site. Look at the rules to see if any of these will be a problem for you.
The HOA I lived in mostly regulated detached accessory structures, above ground pools, and trailers parked on the driveway. Chain metal fences were also prohibited. Pretty basic limitations – nothing like color of paint on a home of flying a flag.
If you object to the rules, ask for a variance or get a petition signed to have the rule changed.
Violating one of the covenants could very well have consequences. Just my 2 cents.

I work at a well-known big box hardware store. When I wanted to buy new flashlights for my wife, daughter, and myself I would watch the closeout section of my store. The longer the discontinued flashlight sists in that section, the lower the selling price becomes.
I purchased what I feel are adequate flashlights in terms of brightness and size. Made sure these flashlights are rechargeable as well. All the Maglight Flashlights I owned eventually had to be replaced when the batteries swelled when they died.
Watch for Black Friday sales and even better prices after the holidays are over.
Just my 2 cents.

Lithium batteries for the trolling motor. I have the “Li Time” brand which has performed flawlessly for me over past 2+ years.
Wife bought me 4 boat bumpers which are shaped like a number 7. The top part rests on the gun wall to provide much better protection than traditional round bumpers based on their design.
Finally, I purchased a tackle caddy from Railblaza to fit in the gun wall track system of my boat. I like having tools off the boat floor and a small plastic box of commonly used fishing tackle which fits inside the caddy.

I own a Stihl and have been very, very happy with its performance over the 3 years I have owned it. Regardless of the brand you buy, I suggest buying from a local dealer who can service your chainsaw.
Just my 2 cents.

I have owned my Litime batteries ( 2 of them) for a year now.
Used extensively a few weeks ago on Lake Sakakawea.
No complaints at all with their performance and I would definitely buy again.
Their on-line reviews & great price point convinced me to buy this brand.
My friend has Battle Born which he is pleased with as well. I just didn’t want to spend that kind of money.

I bought my first socket set in 1977 and bought it from a local catalog house. I was proud and showed it to my dad who was a machinist at Western Electric. He just shook his head and said we’ll see how these hold up. Sure enough it wasn’t long that the case fell apart, and chrome started to come off the sockets. He then gently told me a cheap tool will end up being the most expensive as you’ll end up replacing it again.
After that incident, I became a big fan of Craftsman tools. I always bought on sale and took care of the tools. These will end up being passed down to my #1 son. The Craftsman corded electric drill is 38 years old and running strong!
I have bought some basic tools from Harbor Freight – pry bars, rubber mallet, etc. Been happy with these, but I don’t use them a lot.

It’s a good thing that people have the right to decide on whether they want a union or not. I myself am not in a union. My dad was a union member – IBEW – and worked for Western Electric for over 40 years. He said the unions help establish the middle class in America.
He would also say that how the company treats the employees was just as important as the union – maybe even more so. W.E. treated the employees well as management wanted to attract and keep the best local workers. Near the end of his career at W.E. he would often wonder out load if the union was really necessary at W.E.
That’s how well the company treated the employees.

Appreciate the mention of hunting in Oklahoma – certainly closer to me than Texas! Would you share with me the ranch you went to?

Hunting – never hunted for anything in my life but wild boar hunting in Texas sounds quite interesting to me. I need to take a hunter’s safety class in preparation of this adventure.
Fishing – Alaska for coastal fishing of Halibut. Photos of a friend’s trip there this year has smiles on everyone!

I own a Warrior Sport model – just over one year old.
Incredibly well built boat and I have never been in a situation where I felt unsafe in the boat.
Other fisherman always have the same comment when they see my boat at the boat ramp or on the water – “that boat is built like a tank!”
Had to wait for like 15 months for mine to be delivered. Salesman at the dealership said Kingfisher dealers are assigned so many build slots a year and once these slot are taken, the customer will have to wait or go to another dealer.
In my opinion the boats are worth the wait.
Happy to answer any questions you have – just send me a PM.

Ken:
Any plans to fish Lake Superior in July or August?
I don’t live far from you – Rhinelander

Here are a few lures that come to mind:
Creek Chub Pikie
Lazy Ike
Hulla Popper
Heddon Sonar

I have a Yamaha 150 hp and the two props that came with the boat are black in color. Dealer salesman said that any outboard larger than a 150 hp motor must have stainless steel props. Something to the effect the larger outboards will actually bend the prop blades.

I suggest joining your local YMCA and then set up a workout schedule which you can & WILL follow. I myself go 5 days a week early mornings. Each location has fitness advisors that will help explain & demonstrate the machines. If nothing else, walk on their indoor track for at least a mile.
I’m also going to see a dietician tomorrow morning which I hope will guide me on what foods are better for you and which ones to avoid all together. The first steps are always the hardest!

Just yesterday I purchased a Frabill Conservation Net which has coated / knotless net. An in-law uses this brand on Lake Erie and swears by it. I also saw a fair amount of these nets on the Detroit River a week ago.

I too hard a hard time locating 1 oz jig heads at Cabela’s and other local stores. Ended up buying these on Amazon – unpainted. Thought it would be fun to paint the jig heads using powdered paint which I purchased from Harbor Freight.
Nice way to kill a few hours when it’s cold outside.

David Anderson wrote:

A friend and I went to the Sport Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center yesterday. Has this show ever gone downhill. First thing I noticed was the size, it has dropped from using the full space (4 halls) to 3 as well there are no exhibits in the hallways or side rooms. Of course the show is down to 4 days. Still some good exhibitors yet you can tell the number of smaller guys have really changed. I’m sure that Covid changed everything yet some vendors I talked to stated that they were questioning whether they should have come or not. I guess it’s just getting too expensive for the return on their money. For some, It’s still keeping their name out in front of their customers. One has to question it when Plant’s and Things, an outdoor furniture retailer, is one of the largest exhibitors. I remember when it ran 2 weekends and I would go twice during that time. Oh well, I still enjoy talking to the resort people, got some issues answered with my Lowrance setup, and bought some delicious horseradish pickles and cheese.

I grew up in the Chicagoland area and I noticed the exact same thing happening to “our” outdoors show. In the beginning, the show ran for 10 days and was very well attended. Our group would go twice to pick out two lodges to go to that calendar year.
As time went on, lodge owners we knew said this show was just too long and cost too much. As lodge owners’ repeat business grew, they said it just didn’t make sense for them to attend.
I myself noticed the decline when show booths were sold to totally unrelated vendors: candy & nuts, replacement windows, insurance agents, even a booth selling horrible black velvet painting most of Elvis.
I’m afraid the internet has changed shows forever. At least it was fun while it lasted.

We used to go to an Ontario lodge and the owners wife would have me pickup a bottle of rum and a carton of cigarettes for her. I was shocked when she told me prices of these items in Ontario.
We never bought any booze at the duty free shop – selection back home was much better and prices were fair if you bought on sale.

Fortunate enough to have been to Maui twice. This doesn’t make me an expert of course. Great memories to be sure from the trips.
I would avoid two things on the trip:
1. Road to Hana – too long of a drive for what’s at the end of the drive.
2. Mama’s Fish House – WOW on the prices!!

Enjoy the trip!

I agree with the comments above:
Cabela’s had products fisherman from the north would use
Cabela’s Guidewear rain suits were absolutely first rate. After many years my rain suit is in great shape. I hope to never have to buy a replacement rain suit as I don’t want to spend close to $400 for one.

All three of my kids played hockey and enjoyed the sport. They would play almost year round what with a summer camp and 3-on-3 games. They tried other sports when younger but seemed to gravitate towards hockey.
I told all of them that when they no longer wanted to play hockey, that was fine. However they’d have to fill in that time doing something else – and playing video games was not an option.
2 of the kids went on to be referees and I was proud of them for doing this. They also enjoyed earning money – a portion of which was theirs’s to spend how they wanted.