DaubsNU1

@FishTank and @woolleyfooley, great friend of mine worked as a buyer for Cabela's for many years. He has since left the company, once BPS bought them out. Many moons ago he tried to explain Gore-Tex, how it works, why you feel wet when the fabric sits against your skin. This was well before all the cool rankings and tests they do now. It was a long, long time ago...but I do remember him saying a good DWR helps water bead up and run off the fabric, instead of getting soaked in to it. Helps keep you dry. He said if you are kneeling or sitting in water...you may force water through the membrane. I remember when my Brother and I got our first gore-tex gloves for Christmas. Late 80's, early 90's(?). We spent hours filling the sink, holding our hands under water in amazement(!)

Thanks @FishTank! I do have both products, and use them on my waterproof / Gore-Tex garments. They work well! The problem with the camo coat in the picture -- the taped seams have failed. Sadness. I really cannot complain...that coat is 25+ years old.

Placed an order with Kuiu in the past few weeks. The old Cabela's stuff is wearing out. I'm moving to more solid colors to triple duty around the house, out in the blind/field, or on the water. I'm a sliver under six feet tall, 220 lbs 36+" waist. Cabela's large | tall coats fit me very well. In Kuiu I had to size up to XL, and 38" waist, as their stuff runs a little small (or "athletic" as they put it). HA! I have found Kuiu fits me much better than Sitka stuff. They tout a "layering" system, and it actually works out well. Base layer, mid layer, shell layer. They fit together and have integrated thumb-holes (except the outer layers). Kuiu has lots of sales throughout the year...I generally wait until something goes on sale, or it hits their outlet. You can get up to 40% off some items. My thoughts below (sorry, it's a slow night, and the wife is in to Netflix right now) Here is the stuff I have owned for 10+ years: Ultra merino 145 zip T-long sleeve: It's a good base layer when stalking Muley's out west. Doesn't get stinky like poly. Recently I've started wearing in the duck blind. Performs well. Very light weight. Have to wash my wool stuff separately, and air dry. Kind of a pain. Bonus, I can wear my merino multiple times before it gets even a hint of stinky. Pro merino zip-off bottoms: These are really cool. Pretty darn warm and comfy. Full side zip means you can take these off without removing your boots. Great feature when glassing, then stalking. Strange someone didn't think if this before. Guide DCS jacket: Fits well, pit-zips, quality piece. It's big enough to get a base layer and a mid layer underneath. When it gets really cold I throw a gore-tex shell over the top. I like this very much. Was mainly for big game, now I'm wearing in the blind as well. Attack Pants: I have a solid color and planned to wear these around the house, doing projects, etc. They are too warm for everyday wear. Perform great chasing deer. Layer up with merino bottoms when it gets cold...and add the old-school Cabela's gore-text bibs when it gets really nasty. Bonus, they now come in regular, tall, and short lengths. The short is 31" inseam, and just about perfect for my build. Tiburon pants: again solid colors here. They are really comfy and quite cool. I actually pair these up with hikers and polo shirt and wear to work often. No one seems to notice : ) Gila hoodie: Kinda pricy for what it is. Does perform well, but I can get cheaper alternatives via Amazon. Logo T-shirts: picked up a crap ton of these in the outlet a few years back...I believe they were $14 each. Cotton. Meh. I prefer poly or wool. But these are good around the house in warmer months. Here is the stuff I picked up recently: Peloton 240 full zip hoodie: Found on ebay...it has become a daily item for me this fall and winter. Light enough to wear around the house. Blocks enough wind and is warm enough to wear to the store. It's sized as a mid-layer and goes well over merino or poly base layer, and under the Guide DCS or a gore-tex shell. I picked up two more solid colors on sale in the last year. Oddly the material in this coat does not pick up my Labrador Retriever's hair(!) The 240 might be my favorite Kuiu item. Strongfleece 190 Zip-T: Another good mid-layer. Fits well, pretty warm. And doesn't pick up the dog's hair. Solid color, I find myself wearing this around the house either with a poly underneath, or just this zip-t. I will probably pick up another solid color soon. Peloton 118 long sleeve crew-t: Picked up a few of these in solid colors. This shirt is great at wicking moisture. Nice base layer, or even by it self. I do have a few short sleeve. Pro merino 200: wool base layer polyester outer layer. Jury still out. It's a nice long sleeve. Kutana Stretch Woven Pant: Jury is still out. They are lighter than Attack, but heavier than the Tiburon. I may return these. Although they might be a good fishing pant. Hmmm..... Things I would like to try in the future, or tried and didn't like: Rainwear: I started another thread on waterproof rainwear. Kuiu has some solid colors...I'm unsure what direction I want to go here. I have found some old school Cabela's gore-tex jackets on eBay, in my favorite size (large-tall). But who knows if they are still waterproof. I may have to bit the bullet on rainwear this spring. Elements Jacket: Looking at this down the road. Synthetic down-like fill, with windproof shell. My main winter coat is a 25+ year old North Face gore-tex shell that has a fleece liner that zips in and out. I also have a goose down 700 fill liner that zips in and out as well. It's a great system, and super warm in the windy Nebraska winters. I love me some gore-tex / dry-plus / omni-tech / waterproof / windproof shells. Zipper is starting to fail...wonder if The North Face will fix or replace it? Don't they have a lifetime warranty? Hats / headwear: they have some cool stuff, but I have a giant dome (size 8)...nothing they carry fits. Thankfully I stocked up on clearance Cabela's caps and hats when they were in clearance or the bargain cave...XXL actually fits me. Gloves: I have soo many Cabela's gloves in my basement...some still have on tags. Don't need anything just yet. Down / puffy: I don't really have any need for a down puffy. Vest: I have never been a fan of vests. Brother and buddy wear them all the time. Won't my arms get cold? I dunno...I may have to give this a shot. Strangely enough, the Sitka vests are the ONE thing that fits me well from their lineup. Whelp, that's it for tonight. Wife's done with TV. Holler if you have questions. DD.

I am right there with you @Craig P! I do have some newer Shimano spinning reels...they all just feel right. When it comes to casting reels, I'm so locked in on Shimano that I only run old Citca and Curado's. I have eight total...the last four have been purchased used via ebay. The original four were all purchased in the early to mid 1990's...and all work GREAT! I keep talking myself OUT OF getting a newer Shimano casting reel...knowing if I get one, I will quickly purchase seven more! : )

@MRQturbo Hmmm....interesting. Do you know when the Spring sale will run??

Whelp, the old Cabela's gore-tex jacket and bibs have seen better days. Neither is completely waterproof. What are you wearing on the water? Recommendations? Thanks! Doug

Twelve years ago my wife was hospitalized with gastrointestinal issues. Ulcerative colitis. She went gluten free and dairy free. I thought, what the heck, I can give up gluten. Had no idea the change this would make in my life. I always seemed to have an upset gut, loose stools, pooped a lot during the day, sometimes four or five times a day. And when I had to go...I had to go RIGHT NOW! I feel so much better, my bowel movements are regular and not diarrhea like. I still eat dairy, and wife does a little here and there. We have since cut out pretty much all processed foods, vegetable oils, chips, sugars, candy, etc. I feel great.

Some day I will get a forward facing sonar. Right now I'm still learning and perfecting my down and side imaging, finding cover and structure off-shore, and catching fish away from the bank. I am my own worst enemy. I can remember the dock, or stump where I caught a big-un back in the day...and believe that fish will be right there, the next time I am on the water. Have to keep reminding myself that fish are predators, they move around, they do different things. I need to constantly improvise, overcome, and adapt.

@A-Jay your videos are far more informative and entertaining than anything I have seen on TV.

Yep, me as well @A-Jay...every day. I cannot tell you the last time I watched fishing on television...maybe 20 years ago? Did not even know this was a thing still. Stopped watching the outdoor channel years ago...too many commercials for 16-18 minutes of actual hunting and fishing on screen.

Get both in your hands and see which feels better, has better balance, ergonomics. Send the other rod back. Or keep them both : )

I have never fished tournaments. Buddies fished many walleye tournaments, but they lived on the other side of the state...too long of a drive to join them. And I don't really care to chase "eyes" as they call them. Lots of kayak tournaments around these parts...but I had a boat. Ruled me out. My old boat did not have a live-well, so that ruled me out of many bass tournaments. Now that I have a boat with a live-well...still don't fish tournaments. I supervise a team of eleven, and get to deal with people all week long. When I fish, I often times fish alone, or with my Dad and Brother. When I'm on the water it is time to disconnect, relax, enjoy God's glory, and just be.

Scammers...Ugh! Thanks @Glenn!!

To date I have purchased four homes. None on a lake, so I cannot help you there. My 83 year old Dad is a retired carpenter...he used to build houses from the ground up. He later concentrated on finish trim (kitchens, bathrooms, remodels, etc.). He is also great with plumbing, electrical, and auto maintenance (that is a whole other thread). Had the honor and privilege of having Dad along when looking at all my houses before purchase. He's been doing this long enough to know the good from the bad...sometimes even when we pulled in to the driveway. One house...he wouldn't even let me and the wife out of the car. "Just back out, lets drive away right now..." HA! @Swamp Girl & @WaskaCrank12 have great advice above. I will add the following: Bring a good flashlight, and shine that thing in and under places you would normally not look. Check out the attic looking for adequate insulation, bats, mice, racoons, any droppings that might indicate holes and entrance points. Look in cold-air return ducts, pay close attention to the furnace / HVAC, basement, crawl space, laundry room and dryer vents. Bring a black light(!). Current house smelled really nice when we looked, and purchased. A week in to ownership wife got the carpets cleaned...and things started to smell bad. It was almost as if the sellers had been trying to mask something...wife broke out the black light, and could see animal urine pretty much everywhere(!). We pulled all carpet, pad, and each and every staple...enzyme killed the floor, then Kilz-ed it, new carpet, and new paint. Ugh. Get it inspected! Good home inspection company, and you might even get a structural engineer to have a peek. Our house had some small cracks in foundation. Engineer had a look and everything checked out good. Check windows carefully. We had issues with some defective Pella windows that rotted from the inside out. I would personally check and make sure every window in the house worked, and was not rotting, or had damage. Windows are expensive. Good windows are priceless. My Dad still has original windows in his house from 1971...they are wonderful. Make sure you aren't in a flood plain, and your insurance will be able to cover the house. My wife found the "perfect little old farm house..." about a mile from the Platte River here in Nebraska. It was said to be outside the "100 year flood" area (whatever that meant). The house needed lots of work, and in the end, we decided to pass on that property. It was a good thing...just three years later the "100+ year flood" happened. Nuff said. Check the power outlets. Some older houses don't have the three prong outlets, and could have faulty wiring. Bring an outlet tester and test as many as you can. Check the breaker box. Sometimes renovations / additions are not done correctly, and can lead to issues down the road. Get the water checked. Our current house has it's own well. Our real-estate agent demanded a water test in the purchase agreement...test came out great, but something I would not have thought of. Get the septic system inspected (if you have one). Bring a friend, or a relative. There were many times I had on rose-colored glasses when looking at a house / property. Having Dad there really helped me see things I would have missed. Good luck with your search!!

My buddy who worked for Cabela's at the HQ in Sidney, Nebraska used to be in charge of the Bargain Cave. He also ran the sidewalk sales. I got some smoking deals back in the day. Sad they no longer do either.

I remember when Nebraska law was changed to require seat-belts. I was just getting my license and started wearing my seat belt every time I was in the vehicle. Have been in two accidents where I am 100% sure the seat belt saved lives! Sadly it's just been recently that I have worn my PFD and used kill-switch on boats. I can thank the good peeps of this site for opening my eyes! When the big motor is on, so is the PFD and the kill switch.

I have caught seven or eight Musky in my lifetime, all on bass lures. Rattle trap, spinner bait, jerk-bait, and one lure that shocked me... About 30 years ago I was fishing a 500+ acre lake in northeast Missouri...it had been stocked with Musky. I was fishing some flooded timber in my belly boat. Pitched a pumpkin green jig with craw trailer next to a tree in 20' of water. Watched my new braided fishing line carefully. Lure reached bottom and stopped....then I saw the line slowly move to the side..."hello Mr. Bass...." I set the hook and immediately cursed. It felt like I had set the hook right in to a log. Then the log moved(!) It was a good fight, with the big toothy predator spinning me around in that little belly boat. I managed to kick to shore and somehow got the jig out and the fish released. There was no way I was putting my fingers in that mouth. Good fun!

I remember doing Cabela's orders that way!

So this arrived in the mail yesterday, I haven't seen one of these in years. Interesting to leaf through.... Old buddy of mine used to work for cabela's, and talked about how they laid out those catalogs. Interesting to see that Bass Pro puts the Ranger boats on page 215? Lots of emphasis early in the catalog on forward facing sonar and forward facing sonar lures. ....and 20 minutes later....catalog going in the recycle bin. Far easier to search online.

When you pack up the boat and do a "fishing trip" out of your local area, do you head north, or south? (or east / west?) I have been south a handful of times Lake Fork, and Table Rock. Seem to head north much more -- Canada, South Dakota, North Dakota.

@NorthernBasser, was talking with my wife about your situation. She's a nurse practitioner, used to work heart and lung transplant at the NE Med Center...now she's at the VA. She seen a lot of rough cases. Hang in there buddy! We are both pulling for you!

I always have rods rigged up with the following when my boat launches. They seem to catch 80%+ of the fish when I'm on the water: Spinnerbait T-rigged curly tail worm Senko Square-bill Drop shot Rod locker holds 10...the other five rods are changed out based on my feelings for that day, or the lake I'm fishing.

Normal fall involves getting the duck blind ready, running the dog, winterizing the janky 25 year old above ground pool (and praying it doesn't collapse), swapping the mower deck for the snow blower on the John Deere, and moving the boat from garage down to the shop. I love the fall -- football, hunting, cooler weather, fishing, being outdoors. I had grand plans of keeping the boat up at the house, and working on my project truck this winter....but temps quickly dipped in to the teens...hard no. So the boat is down and the shop is winterized. It's been single digits for a few weeks here in Nebraska. Picture below from last winter...had to snow blow lanes in the grass...little dog's tiny little legs couldn't handle the snow. We have had only a few dustings of snow this winter. Bummer. I've been putting old equipment, hunting clothing, and random stuff on eBay this winter...made a little money...but burned it up with a Kuiu winter sale : ) Tough time of the year for me is after hunting seasons and football seasons are finished. Mid February in to early April are tough. I don't ice fish. Once the weather warms up, and the ice goes away...it's game on!!

Dagnabit @NorthernBasser. That sucks!! Know that we care, and you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!!

All my reels are Shimano, except for one Cabela's branded reel that came in a package deal with the rod.