Fishing Rhino

The old covers had spring steel "grabbers" with pointed edges which tried to dig into the wheel as it was pulled off. I improved on them by cutting an aluminum soda can and then folded the strips into shims which made the "grabbers" press more firmly against the wheel. That much improved their ability to stay put. These covers have plastic fingers and a tempered wire which holds the fingers out. The fingers fit into a groove around the wheel where the center hub meets the wheel. The fingers pop into that groove when you install them. Had I known then, what I know now, I would have done as you suggested.

Seeing that we're telling wife stories, I have one. We were at a busy local breakfast joint, talking with some friends on the porch as we waited for a table. Our name was called. My wife stood up and started walking in when a pair of panties dropped out of the leg of her slacks. Apparently they got there in the wash, and my wife did not notice them when she got dressed.

You're welcome. Hope it works out as well for you as it has for me. It actually works better for those who fish with you, since you'll spend most of your fishing time on the bow. They are the ones who have to get up to and down from the rear deck. One suggestion. Use the thin layered birch plywood, 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick that you can get at Home Depot, and probably Lowes as well. Apply a few coats of polyurethane varnish to provide a good seal from the elements. Then spray it the color you want, or leave it clear. The final step is to apply the non-skid strips. I used Phillips Pan Head SS screws to secure it. The access to the fuel tank fittings is beneath the step on my boat. I would have preferred SS piano hinge, but it would have cost about a hundred dollars. For the few times I may have to get at them, I'll remove the four screws and keep the hundred bucks in my pocket.

Sorry to hear that. Time and tide wait for no man. How 'bout training some young buck to continue your legacy? I recently divested myself of all my fiberglass molds, materials, and equipment. I gave it all to a young fellow who started making bodies for a couple of divisions at the local tracks. I helped him get started. Showed him what I used, and how I did it. He told me that he would not compete against me for the two divisions I supplied. But when I retired, then he'd market his product to them. When, after discussing it with my wife, I decided it was time to quit. I called Lee and asked him if he wanted the molds, stands, etc. He asked how much I wanted. I told him just come and take it away so I could have my garage back. I kept a bucket of resin, and two rolls of material, mat and roving, just in case. No sooner had he hauled the last load of gear away, a neighbor asked me to make some repairs to his Boston Whaler. I started a thread showing the process/progress of the restoration from start to finish. Just a few weeks ago, Lee's wife (36 years of age) passed away in her sleep. Whatever the future holds for you, I wish you well.

I'm going to make a suggestion. Leave the center seat out. I have a Nitro Z-8, bought new. After five years, I finally pulled the seat out, and made a step to the rear deck. There are two small step pads between the seats for doing this, but not very compatible with older fellows, such as me. The new Nitros do not come with center seats, though they may be an option. If I need it, I can put the throwable pfd on the step. The non-skid strips are peel and stick. Available at Home Depot in the paint department. They are two feet long, six inches wide, and come with a durable grit, and the yellow stripes. I cut one in half, and rounded the cut corners to match the radius of the existing corners. Any holes which show can be filled with these. Available at most hardware stores. Makes access to the rear deck a breeze.

I don't know if you can get just two. The ones I saw were priced per four.

I'd think the supports for a bimini top might interfere with your casting. If you want the shade, how 'bout something like this. They have larger sizes, and white if you want the ultimate protection from the sun.

Considering that I was spending about a hundred bucks per annum, when I could get them, I can replace these every year for one third the cost of replacing the originals. When I'm not fishing with it, the rig is parked in a garage year round, so the sun can't beat them up. Time will tell.

Bass Pro no longer sells the wheel covers for the Nitro series. I used to buy two per year because they had a tendency to pop off when I ran over a pot hole, or some other thing that jolted the wheels. The price on the last one I got was over fifty bucks. For a couple of years I've been travelling with just the plastic chrome center piece that covered the lug nuts. I poked around and found these on Amazon. $30.26 for a set of four. Before (sans the chrome lug covers) After.

The off season is the time to tend to projects around the house. Mostly inside projects, but if the weather is decent, I do some outside projects as well. Repair a section of damaged clapboard. Install wall ovens. Remove carpet. Replace with hardwood flooring. Upstairs bedrooms.

Sawdy is looking pretty good for this year. Went by it the other day. Water is above the highest stain marks on the rocks. About six inches higher than the top plank on the dam at the ramp. Hope it stays high. Will make coming and going a breeze. Last week when I went by the ramp, there was a pickup with a trailer parked on the upper road. Temps were in the fifties, but the wind was blowing 20 - 25 mph. Would have been a great day but for the wind. Will get more interested after we get back from Daytona and our daughter's place in GA the first week in March. Devol is probably the same. Water levels must have recovered there as well.

Hootie, it bears a striking resemblance to your avatar. Nice work. Next thing you know, you'll get a chainsaw and be carving cigar store indians, and totem poles.

Heartfelt sympathy for you and your family.

There is only one answer. I saw only one that mentioned it. The single most important item, bar none, is a personal flotation device.

No wonder you got that fish hook stuck in your hand.

Be sure to bring extension cords. Depending where you park the rig you could need a hundred feet of cord. Parking is across the street from some of the cabins. If the new cabins are open, there is a central parking area. There may be outlets in the parking area, but be sure to bring some long extensions just in case you do have to hook up to an outlet at the cabin. Just checked. The new cabins are available, but they are a hundred dollars, give or take, more per night than the older cabins.

That's why I keep all the valuables, keys, wallet, cell phone, etc, in a watertight plastic storage container, in a compartment in my canoe or bass boat.

Hmmmmm, I disagree. But since this is a family friendly forum, I'll leave it at that.

Nice. Take care of her, and she'll take care of you. May you make many happy memories with her.

Here ya go Roadwarrior. This one's just for you.

All evacuation routes south from Memphis are clogged with traffic.

You asked a question. The answer is "no", fishing is not just a recreational sport. For commercial fishermen, it's a way of making a living.

Only until they reach the division championships. Then both games (American and National) are on Sunday, the 22nd.

Aren't Anakin and Darth Vader the same "person"? The first three movies (chronologically not as they were released) deal with the transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader. The last three deal with Vader's redemption.