On second thought, i may prefer this one: “Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.”

Thanks Again,
Erik Osberg

Those are great words to live by. Thanks for adding some perspective to an otherwise crazy day. I think my favorite is; “The best sermons are lived, not preached.”

Thanks Again,
Erik Osberg

For what it’s worth, here’s my 2 cents. I will borrow a quote from someone else:

“If America chooses the right future, it will be because we learn again to cooperate politically and embrace a positive vision of what our nation can become. Yes, we have to make some tough choices. But instead of obsessing over the tax hike that outrages us, or the benefit cut that shocks us, we need to focus on everything our nation can achieve if we all made an effort to come to terms with our future.” Peter G. Peterson “Running on Empty” 2004

I guess the question is; What would be the financial impact, in terms of private revenue lost and potential taxes generated, if the Vikings moved? If that negative impact outwieghs the “cost” of a new stadium, build it. If not, don’t. It’s a simple matter of math.

Thats just my 2 cents,
Erik Osberg

Congrats! Looks like a keeper.

Erik Osberg

a): Yup

b): You betchya

I fished with Chip Leer (used to work for In-Fish) one day last summer, and watched him catch a ton of big ole’ bass that way. He was usin full sized senko type worms, just hooked em half way and let em sink slowly….

Erik Osberg

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It aint about havin’ time, it’s about makin’ time!

Thanks for the update.

Erik Osberg

You da man Matt! Awesome video! Love the music too!

Erik Osberg

Don’t quote me on this, but I belive the St. Louis River doesn’t open until the 15th. I think it’s off limits until the MN opener. As far as where do the fish go? Hopefully someone with more intimate knowledge will chime in, however, i do believe some stay in the River, and for others, Lake Superior is home. The Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior are open to fishing all year. So right now might be a good time to be trolling cranks along the the South Shore. Look for a good mud line and work the edge with a variety of cranks on planer boards or even dead sticking straight out the back of the boat. Never know what you are gonna catch. Lakers, browns, coho, walleye… But if you are planning on sticking to the river, lots of people pull crawlers on spinners, some prefer jigs & minnows, while others stick to plastics. It can be a mad house on the MN opener, kinda like playin bumper boats.

Hope this helps.

Welcome to IDO!

Erik Osberg

I can’t add much that hasn’t already been said. All these guys are right on. It really depends on weather and the “Shiner Run”. That being said, if you are like me and you’ve got a wife and three kids and you can’t leave on a spur of the moment and need to put it on the calendar, the best advice I can give is: the later, the better.

A good buddy of mine goes up there every year during the opening weekend of deer hunting. Some years the bite is phenominal, other years it’s brutal. Hope this helps.

Erik Osberg

I thought you’d have a bigger smile on your face. Have the pike spawned yet?

Erik

Rich,

Welcome aboard! Looks like you’ve got a preatty cool product there. I could be wrong, and maybe an IDO vet can correct me if I am, but I think the fish bucks are a way for IDO members to earn points that can be used towards posting items on the classified page. James had always wanted to have “free” classifieds, however some people were abusing the system. So they came up with the “Fish Bucks” so you had to earn the right to post items for free. Hope that helps. Once again, welcome to IDO.

Erik Osberg

check it out:

http://www.rainylakeonestop.com/rainylake_cam.html

Hey Chris,

Is this the earliest you can remember ice out on Rainy? And I’m not sure if people know this or not, but there’s a Rainy Lake Cam at http://www.rainylakeonestop.com Kinda cool to see where it’s at.

Later,
Erik Osberg

Atta boy Chad! Glad to see you pulled the trigger. Have you come up with a name for her?

Erik Osberg

Right on Tom! BK has mentioned we should film a “how to” w/you and/or Dean. I would love to do that! Any weekends in April that you plan on being around?

Thanks,
Erik Osberg

Happy Birthday!

Ruger,

Thank you for pointing out that not everyone needs a tax advisor. I apologize if that’s how my post came across. It isn’t for everyone. However, sometimes it can be worth it to get a “2nd opinion” to make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.

Thanks Again,

Erik Osberg

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I agree with Jonny P. I am not a tax advisor, but have seen first hand how a good tax advisor can be worth their weight in gold. It will cost more than Turbo Tax, it may even cost as high as $200 or more. But it might save you money in the long run. A bad tax advisor, well, it goes without saying they aren’t much help.

One thing to keep in mind is, (in certain cases), you can lower your taxable income by contributing to an IRA. And you have until your tax filing deadline to contribute for 2009. There may still ways to keep more money in your pocket instead of giving it to Uncle Sam. Best of luck. PM me if you have more questions. I am limited in the advice I can give in a public forum.

Erik Osberg

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Welcome aboard DocT! That seems like a decent camera you use. What kind is it?

Erik Osberg

Amen brother! Have you come up with a new name for your new ride? Fish Casket II? Or something more creative? In regards to you old conservative/frugal approach, a wiser man then me once said; “Long after the sweetness of low price is gone, the bitterness of poor quality remains.”

Erik Osberg

That is a very interesting article, thanks for pointing it out. What amazes me about the great recession of 08 is that no one was immune. A man much wiser than me once said; “Leverage gives the illusion of wealth. Saving is wealth.”

Thanks Again,
Erik Osberg

That 1st picture is truly AMAZING!!! Atta boy!

Erik Osberg

Thats good stuff!

Atta Boy! Remember; “Thats OK with me”. Rather than; “I don’t care”… If you’re ever in need of guidance, just watch the movie “White Men Can’t Jump.” As Wesley Snipes’ character says. “Listen to the women.”

Erik Osberg
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I don’t mean to sound like a salesman, but I agree that there’s nothing wrong with hiring a pro to show you a few pointers. Our first ever trip to Rainy was in the summer of 04, we hired a guide, he even let a couple of our boats tag along for a little extra $. It’s not that we hammered them that day, but he showed us about 6 different spots. We’ve gone back every year and some of those spots still produce. But we’ve started to add some new spots on our own now. It’s just kinda nice to know you’ve got 2 or 3 honey holes where you should catch somethin.

I would also agree that ice fishing Rainy is one of the coolest adventures available. We were the only ones in all of Saginaw Bay last time I went. Not a soul in sight. Kinda like the Boundary Waters, except you get a motor.

CC to Rainydaze… You keep livin the good life for the rest of us sinners down here. The camera & I will be up there one of these days. I just gotta “make” time.

Erik Osberg
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Hey Chad,

Just wanted to add my two cents… I’ve been down to the Custom Cottages shop and I was impressed. Eric Bongard, the owner/builder, is a good guy. And if my memory serves me correctly, Eric’s background is in aviation. This is why his portable shelters can be bigger and yet weigh less. Eric knows how to build solid structures with lightweight materials. Plus, with his background, you know he’s gonna pay attention to the details.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks,
Erik Osberg
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If she does say yes, here’s a little unsolicited advice that was given to me in regards to “planning the wedding”… When she asks you a question, like “Do you like purple center pieces?” Your first instinct may be to say… “I don’t care.” But be carefull, it’s a trap! If you say you don’t care, now you’re in trouble, “What do you mean you don’t care?” she’ll say… “We’re planning the rest of our lives together and you don’t care?!?!, You’d better start caring… etc. etc. etc..”

The correct response is “Thats OK with me.” What ever she asks, just simply smile and nod and say “Thats OK with me.”… as a matter of fact, now that you might be getting married, you’d better get used to those 4 little words a lot… “Thats OK with me.”

PICK YOUR BATTLES YOUNG MAN, PICK YOUR BATTLES!

Erik Osberg
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Oh, now i get it. 16×40?… heated?… Do you use a big canvas tent? How do you heat it?

Any pictures from years past?

Erik Osberg

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I’m not even gonna ask why it’s called the Gerbil Cage.

Erik Osberg
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Jpron,

I don’t have any first hand knowledge, but Matt Grow has been up there a few times this winter, he may be of more assistance. A few others on this site know a lot more than I when it comes to leech, so hopefully they’ll chime in soon.

As just a general rule of thumb, it sounds like the walleye bite has been best in the morning, sun-up-ish. And be ready to move! Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but the EYE’s seem to be a bit more nomadic and spread out on Leech than on other lakes.

As far as perch go, there’s an IDO episode all about perch on Leech. You can find that episode in the viedo section.

Hope this helps, sorry I don’t have better info, and best of luck.

By the way, anyone know when the Pout Festival is? I think it’s the 19th thru the 21st…

Erik Osberg
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