Christmas Goodies

Christmas Goodies

GPS how it changed my life

What is a GPS

For those that do not know what GPS actually is... in a nut shell... it's a tracking system created by the U.S government for tracking and spying that finally in the 80s was opened up to the public to use. It consists of three parts, satellites that orbit the Earth, Monitoring stations that record and tranmit data and the actual GPS unit.


There are many providers for GPS units and two of the most recognized would be
Garmin and Magellan


OK now here is what I really think about them


Every time I go out of my driveway with my GPS I know that it is ready and willing to take me to my final destination, eventually. But, also at this time I start to feel the added anxiety that the GPS has created in my life. Not only do I have the daily stresses of live, I now have the GPS to add even more to it. I shutter to think how smart these GPS really are and how much they are beginning to take over many peoples lives.



Having the opportunity to almost feel like you have been given your own crystal ball and you can see into the distance. Knowing what streets are coming up gives you some kind of superpower. It makes me wonder what our forever getting lost parents were actually missing. Although some seniors do have GPS (most were given by there tech driven kids) most seniors still believe that they ‘got by before and sure don't need any direction gizmo now' or ‘I'm getting too old to have to learn something new' either way both may be correct.


Can you imagine if our parents would have had GPS when we were growing up? "Pull over and ask someone" my mom would say or "look there's a gas station! Stop!" or even better "we could have been there if you would have only stopped a half hour ago to ask someone", all of us kids always fully agreed with mom. It might be the actual reason we would start out at the house and ask "are we there yet?" had we had GPS we could know that Dad was not just getting us lost... again.


I remember a time when my parents had purchased a new cottage about an hour and half from our home and invited all of us up there to see their new place and have Thanksgiving dinner. We headed out with the instructions given by my parents. Somehow we got lost and my now ex husband insisted that he would find the way there, even though he had never been in that area but his psychic ability would lead the way.


It unfortunately was long before GPS and cell phones existed. It took almost 8 hours and past dinner time before he would finally give in and get proper directions, ok yes I am still a little bitter about that one. More for the fact the kids in the back kept saying "are we almost there", and he would answer ....Soon!


The best part of having a GPS is you don't feel like you are driving alone. You actually get verbal instruction as to how to get to your destination either ‘in the shortest time, shortest distance' or probably the most used best one most use of highways', which one should Not consider necessarily the quickest route. If you go online you now also have new saying that can now be downloaded to your system. This could offer many interesting instructions to make your drive even better at least to humor yourself.


Putting a GPS in your car is also like having a backseat driver without the aggravation of them yelling ‘where are you going', ‘pull over and ask how to get there' or ‘watch for that car'... yadda, yadda. Many times I find myself yelling at the GPS, but I can actually do that knowing that I don't have to worry about hurting its feelings.


GPS has changed my life and not necessarily for the best. The anxiety that comes from knowing that at some point in my day I am going to be faced with the impeccable, "Recalculating route! Or "When possible make a legal U Turn". All I can say is "Not again! I was sure I turned at the right road" ...but yes each and every time I venture out I know that it's going to find out that I am semi-lost again.


Sometimes it's not always my fault. How many times I have turned at a street before or even worse right after. The ding, ding, ding of the GPS meaning here's your street NOW, NOW turn quick, sometimes doesn't happen until you get right into the middle of that intersection. I have also heard it tell me to also turn before I should have.

There are also many times that I am actually smarter then my GPS and know a route that it just doesn't want to acknowledge that would have got home quicker and easier but I still follow believing that the GPS is somehow going to transport me quicker to my destination.


It's always good to know that your system will start talking to you when you have three miles until your turn, but that just means for the next three miles I am going to be stressed knowing that I am going to have to make a turn and possibly get lost again.


Recently we traveled to Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, I am not sure how we managed it but it was almost like our GPS was on holidays. Over and over we missed streets, went in the wrong direction and wanted to throw the unit in the Bay. I have never heard so many swear words at a piece of technology that we all still believe we now need. Somehow we even managed to get to Baltimore... as I said I think the GPS was sightseeing.


Remembering the rule of quickest time, most use of freeways, shortest distance according to how birds fly are not always easy to decide which one to take. What I really wish my GPS would be able to do is read my mind, to somehow know and warn me that the directions that I put into my system were actually wrong before I headed out twenty minutes late the next morning.


I also wish that it would pretend that I made the right travel decision for a change especially when the family is in the car. If it could only not let them know that I am a GPS idiot and lost again, or if I am going to get lost I would hope that it would take me to somewhere interesting... wait that did happen, we did get to visit Baltimore.


I love when you finally reach your destination and it tells you "You have arrived!" it's like a huge weight is finally lifted from my head, but them I realize there is still the return trip and now I have to figure out what is going to be the shortest time now?


Yesterday I was sitting in the living room and programming the GPS trying to figure out which way I was going to go the following day to get to my appointment. Everything was quiet and I was not moving at all when all of a sudden the GPS says out loud "Keep to the Left!" I couldn't help but laugh hysterically with my husband as we both looked at the unit and shook our heads... I said "Now do you see the problem". It really is not my fault the GPS has its own agenda.

Then I realized my GPS stood for (Getting People Somewhere!) ... now where? that's another story!

The Disabled Angler

One of the first things that caught my eye was the wheelchair sitting on the dock while the boats were getting ready for blastoff. I couldn’t help but feel it must be like freedom to escape and leave behind a piece of him that he didn’t need for the next eight hours. Coming back to shore must have felt like he had been given a small freedom that most of us could not even imagine. The freedom to be, to do and to conquer.

Although my first wish would be that no one would ever be faced with a disability, I do know personally how the struggle to be strong and get back to your life can be. Fifteen years ago I was hit by a drunk driver and unable to walk without the use of crutches and canes. The pain medication was playing a big factor in my life. The severe depression that stems from your life being changed at the drop of a hat was the biggest challenge of it all. I was in pain and suffering physically and emotionally and had no control of how and why it took place.

Fishing changed my life. It allowed me to regroup my thoughts and inspirations and rerouted the big plan... or did it? Maybe it was just the path my life was to follow.

I have been so very fortunate in my life to have met three outstanding men each with incredible inspiring stories of what fishing has meant to their lives and how it influences it daily. Since they are all great men I shall also go in the order that they came into my life.

Across the pond in England was Nick Rowe from Reels on Wheels an avid fisherman that was stuck down by a debilitating form of arthritis. Here is some of Nick’s Story from his own words.

“I’ve been passionate about angling since I was 5 years old and that’s over 50 years now! I became a wheelchair user about 6 years ago and suffered from bouts of depression because I thought my whole life was over… not uncommon, believe me. I wasn’t allowed to stay like that though (my wife Rosie saw to that!) and I started doing all the things I’d always done, just from a different perspective. I got seriously pissed off hearing people tell me that I couldn’t do things I wanted to do just because I’m in a wheelchair - so I do them anyway, if I can! I’m a man on a mission….” And that he is.

Nick is an inspiration to many able bodied people and also those that have also suffered. He is unlimitless to push himself past the boundaries that most of us could not even imagine. “I’m planning to visit every county in England to fish a venue in each county to see where I can fish and what the fishing’s like; I’m going to do a write-up of every water I fish and blog about my trip; and I’m also going to fish the Marlin World Cup next year in Mauritius.”

I am so proud of his accomplishments and look forward to also being his cheerleader from afar. You can read more about Nick on his blog http://disabledangler.wordpress.com

My second inspiration that came into my life is from Colorado. Blake Muhlenbruck (a.k.a my little brother.) was a successful corporate climber when all of a sudden he was faced with the reality that it was taken all away in was swift accident leaving Blake and his young family to reevalute his life.

“In the fall of 2002 Blake was severely injured in an industrial accident that left him unable to care for himself. His wife Dawn and three daughters supported him through his 4 year battle with rehabilitation and prescription drug withdrawals that nearly killed him. Left now to take care of the family, Dawn encouraged Blake and his buddies to spend as much time as they could outdoors so he could find himself and regain his independence.”

Blake decided that Dawn was right. The addiction to pain medication had taken a toll on not only his health but his life and his family’s life. He needed to refocus his goals, his limitations and get back to refocus his life. In his garage he started his now successful company ‘Naked Bait Co.’. Blake felt the reason 'naked' seemed fitting was due to Blake’s injury. During those four years, between doctor visits, prescription drugs, therapy and his own mental state, he began to feel as if he had been stripped down. He felt "naked". Blake began to use fishing as his rehabilitation. With the knowledge he gained during this period he was able to start living the Naked Bait Co. dream. His company can be found at www.nakedbaitco.com.

Through Blake I was also very fortunate to meet a truly inspiring young man. His name is Jonathan Stanco from Plainville, CT. Jonathon is a twenty-one year old professional co-angler on the FLW Series fishing and his disability does not keep him on shore.

Jonathan has adapted around the circumstances of professional angling and will lead others to also be able to follow their dreams on the tournament circuit.
“I started fishing when I was a young boy and have been hooked ever since. In my late childhood I was involved with snowboarding and freestyle BMX. In February of 2004 I was involved in a bad snowboarding accident that left me a paraplegic. After a long road of recovery, I went back to fishing more than ever.” He thanks Jamie Worth for being his inspiration, “After our meeting I became strong enough to drive up to New Hampshire and go on a bass fishing outing for a day. I learned a great deal and he really was responsible for me now getting into tournament bass fishing.”
Jonathan went on to start fishing tournaments that were geared to disabled veterans and anglers, but what about the big ones?

Jon does not give up that easily and his inspiration is easily seen. He bought himself a small boat and taught himself to learn how to fish independently from the boat. He then joined the Wallingford Bassmasters and the Forest City Bass Casters and looked to fish larger more competitive tournaments. Not surprising since once you meet Jon you know nothing holds him back.

I met Jon at Lake Champlain this September 2008 a lake that he had fond memories of including cashing a check for his incredible 12th place finish out of 102 anglers at the 2007 event.

Jon is the face that we should look at in fishing. His inspiration and dedication is second to none. Jon has a strong and willful passion that you see from him as he wheels his chair to the dock to board that bass boat for a hard day on the water. As one of the pro staff members of Naked Bait Co. Blake Muhlenbruck knew he had found himself a winner. “Jon’s courage is definitely above and beyond most able bodied anglers. He is more then an inspiration to those around him”.

I would think that Naked Bait Company is definitely right. I personally think that I have been inspired by all of them and wish each and every one success at making this world a more understanding place. If there was a place to find a hero I think the waterways are a good place to start looking.

Fishing offers many benefits that we don’t necessarily give credit, saving lives from the shorelines is one of them. Here are three men that not only inspire us but had their lives changed by a single fish.

“Fishing is powerful, water is powerful and the two together offer much strength for those that suffer.” The motto I always share with others.

If you know someone that might need a change to their life why not take them down to a shoreline and see if it helps make their day a better one. Those suffering any form of depression should be encouraged to sit by the waters edge and toss in a line.

Making history... One fish at a time!

Women's Bassmaster Clark Hill Lake, Georgia - Sept. 18-20

The final leg of the Women's Bassmaster's took place this past weekend Sept. 18-20/08. While all of the top anglers headed to Clarks Lake Georgia there was one thing on all of their minds... Who is going to make it to the classic to have the opportunity to be the first female to be given a covenant seat at the BASS/ESPN Bassmaster Classic?

Lynda Gessner of Foristel, Mo took the first day lead at the Women's Bassmasters with throwing a spinnerbait... actually one as rumor has it throughout her first day of fishing. Well it worked! She ended up leading the pack with a scored limit of 11 lbs. 10 oz and giving her more then a two ounce lead. Lynda Gessner brought in a lunker that helped her take the lead.



Day two saw the changing of the guard when Alabama angler Kim Bain followed up with a swift day two total and brought in a total weight of 17 lbs 7 oz and took over the lead from Gessner.

Day three had the top twenty anglers heading back out on the water for a final day fish off. The top twenty anglers each will add to there previous two days weights to the final day and be guaranteed a monetary prize.



A shocker was waiting to happen as Cindy Hill of SMYRNA, TN was the come back kid, coming from behind on the final day of the Women's Bassmaster Tour event on Clarks Hill to narrowly edge out Kim Bain by a mere 2 ounces with a final weight of 24.12 oz and win the Clark Hill lake tournament. This was a second lifetime win for Cindy. The win also guaranteed Cindy the chance to win the classic berth. (Funny I sort of had a feeling that this was going to be her lake. Maybe it was just her name but she is also a great angler and deserved to make it to the final.)

Kim Bain also placed high enough in the Angler of the Year points to continue her rush to the October final tournament. As the pressure nears each angler is anticipating the history that one of them will accomplish. Good Luck Girls!

Remember only the top 20 anglers after the final points are added are eligible to move on to the WBT Championship and have a shot at the Classic berth. The WBT Championship is set for Oct. 23-25 on Arkansas' Lake Hamilton. This tournament is the crowing of the 2008 Toyota WBT Angler of the Year, the women that wins this tournament will also be making history. The Female Angler of the Year will be the first women to every compete in the Holy Grail of BassFishing (The Bassmaster Classic) which will be held on Feb. 20-22 on Louisiana's Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City.

This is a very exciting time for all of the ladies!

Why Women Fish

Although I had the opportunity to go fishing when I was younger as I was heading out the door to go fishing with the local boys I also heard, “Why are you going? Fishing was for the boys!” I quickly put down the fishing rod that I had picked up and decided to stay back. I’m not sure why I didn’t question it but I accepting the fact that maybe they were right after all I probably didn’t really want to touch those worms or heaven help the fish anyway.

Quite a few years later I had the opportunity to go fishing again. But by this time I had completely convinced myself that not only was fishing for the boys, it was also something that I did not see myself wanting to participate in.

However, it truly is amazing how this can change when you fall in love. Many years later I had gone through a divorce and was back out in the dating scene. I met my now husband Andre and he told me of his passion for fishing.

I had to laugh since the first picture I saw of him he was holding up a fish and I somehow knew that fishing was more then a small part of his life. He told me his stories of the fish that got away and the big ones that he and his buddy had caught. He said he would like to take me out with him and teach me how to catch a fish.

“I’m going to teach you how to feed your family”, he proudly told me.
Fishing season opened a couple months later and he brought me to the annual weekend away with his fishing buddy to compete in the opening season derby. I’m not sure how thrilled his buddy was, but I guess it was better then being told that he was going to be completely left behind. We had a really good weekend and I was able to keep up with the boys and at some points I even out fished them. I knew then that I was definitely Hooked! And not only on my husband but on those fish.
I knew the reasons that I had got hooked on fishing, but I started to look for the reasons that other women also participated and what made them as passionate about it as I was.

I found out that most of the girls that fished did so because of one of the following reasons:
 Family member had taken them when they were younger.
 Seeking adventures but once they start catching fish they usually become hooked themselves.
 It also provided a new form of competition - Sometimes it’s you against the fish but most of the time you will find it against anyone in your boat or on shore.
 Peace and serenity are so easily obtained in the outdoors and fishing allows us the time to sit back and enjoy what is around us a kind of hydrotherapy of the soul.
 The opportunity to bond and share memories with family and friends
 Most fisher people became hooked because of the challenge of the unknown.

Women have been known to be naturally better anglers then men and it’s felt that this is so because they have a slower more understanding relationship with nature. There need to decompress their lives is a large part of what women are searching for when they become hooked on fishing.

The natural process of women is to find comfort and security for their families in all environments. Women tend to be the creator of cherished memories and fishing offers many opportunities to share and laugh about the every day lives they are living.

A not so well known fact is Women have been fishing for over 500 years documented. There is a book called “Reel Women the world of women who fish” by author Lyla Foggia. She documents how women’s roles in tribes were that of the fisher and that of the men in the village as the hunters.

Many famous women enjoy fishing, some of them include Sarah Palin running mate for the seat of Vice President with Republican John McCain. LPGA Pro Beth Daniels carries a fishing rod in her practice time. Songstress Sondra Rankin sings about her love and Reba McEntire lives on a beautiful fishery and enjoys her time she gets to escape.

Let’s not forget actress Meryl Steep who made fishing not only look easy but graceful in her movies. There are many actresses that have a passion to get out and cast a line, Heather Thomas, Jane Seymour, Stephanie Powers are just a few of the many who enjoy the benefits and peace that fishing gives them in their lives.

Women now also have their own television shows dedicated to fishing and the great outdoors. Shows like Shelley and Courtney were one of the leading female hosted fishing shows in Canada. http://www.tvfishing.com also Kathryn Maroon host of the show What a Catch http://www.whatacatch.net . Her weekly show has Kathryn traveling around the world to some of the best fisheries.

The newly nominee Sarah Palin from Alaska has a secret in her backyard.
It seems that in the 1990’s Sarah Palin and her husband Todd had a commercial salmon fishing operation in Bristol Bay, Alaska. According to New Mexico Independent writer Joel Gay he recounts how “they were one of his favorite fishermen and one of his top salmon producers.” She is an avid fisher and hunter and promotes the outdoors.

Professional female anglers now exist in the deep seas and also now competitively. They are competing not only against the men, but they now have the opportunity to compete on the ESPN/Women’s Bassmasters Tour against each other.

For the past three years the tour has grabbed much attention with sponsors such as Academy Outdoors Stores. Women are eagerly taking out their boats and heading around the U.S chasing the tournament trail bug. Check out the exciting times that the girls now enjoy at Bass/ESPN http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/wbt/index
Recently I started questioning professional anglers and fishers as to who introduced them into the fishing world and I was shocked to hear the following almost consistently said, “Grandma or my Mom!” Yes not Dad or Grandpa because they were to busy providing for the family. The children were left to the care of the remaining parent or grandparent and it was at this time that they were taken to the local fishing hole to cast a rod.

There was a time that even imagining that a pink fishing rod would even exist or be a possibility and now look around you can find them at most tackle stores. Let’s not also forget those accessories… pink tackle boxes and lures, vests and fashion clothing all made to make sure we always feel welcome into a male dominating sport. Well look out boys it looks like the girls will not only out fish you but they will be looking good when they catch more then you!

The Journey

As we drove down our major highway towards our well needed vacation we were distracted by people standing on the highway overpass waving a Canadian flag.

At first we were really not sure why they would be there, but within minutes heard on a radio report that the three soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan were being returned home today.

They had arrived at the Trenton air base and would be making their way to Toronto. As we were driving eastbound they would be passing us heading west. It was now six o’clock and we figured that they must be coming down the highway any time since the bridges as we were driving east were all occupied by onlookers.

We had noticed our first bridge as we approached the Oshawa area approximately 70 miles away from the air base and a good hour plus drive. It was incredible to see every bridge as we were passing had people standing, waiting and waving their flags proudly.

Not one overpass was left empty. You could hear the vehicles beeping their horns when they approached the bridges in support of those above. I felt the hair on my arms as it was standing tall. It was quiet in our vehicle as we drove towards it, anticipating and wondering if the next bridge would be the point where we would finally meet up with the westbound procession.

The awkward anticipation was growing with each bridge we passed. I could not help but remark how sad it was that these bridge dwellers would have to be there to start off with, and how much more remarkable it was that they were and the crowds were getting bigger.

As we continued driving eastbound it was now over an hour and yet each bridge had not failed us. More and more gathered as it slowly started to get dark. Fire trucks and EMS Vehicles sat on top of some of the bridges. You just knew that they were also there showing their comrades support. The vehicles sat quietly with lights flashing as they also sat waiting for the fall hero’s to return.

It almost felt surreal as we approached the Trenton area. The military base that was located there was chosen as the site to bring back our fallen hero’s. The families were transported to the air force base to meet their beloved family member as they were returned home. They were given a somber hero’s welcome. The families were given the opportunity to share in a hero’s welcome that they all deserved. Once the ceremony was completed they were then given a swift journey to Toronto and then finally home with their families for a quiet family service.

As we approached the area we noticed that there were a couple vehicles pulled over on the shoulder of the road, we also decided that we would pull over and join those that had taken the time to stop. Within ten minutes the line up on both sides of the highway’s shoulders was now over a couple of miles long.

People stood outside of their cars quietly, silently waiting for someone that they didn’t even know to pass them by. Each stood proudly having the opportunity to at least say thank you. Kids stood beside their parents, not really truly understanding what was taking place but still respectful knowing that something powerful was about to happen.

It was almost an hour and half since we had seen that first bridge and the Canadian flag. To think that all of those bridges had people standing patiently waiting and anticipating the forty-five seconds that they would pay their respects was even more amazing.

As we stood on the side of the road we noticed the police cruisers were beginning to shut down the westbound side of the highway. Police cruisers and officers made sure that they brought the oncoming highway traffic to a complete stop. They were going to allow the procession the opportunity to not only travel together but to travel down the highway alone giving them the respect that the fallen hero’s deserved.

The freeway entrance that we had stopped at was the on ramp from the Trenton air force base. It was an incredible sight to witness the fire trucks and emergency vehicles lining down the on ramp with all of their lights on and the officers standing in honor. As the police cruisers raced to the next exits to make sure that they were closed, the caskets of our fallen hero’s were each followed by their family’s limos.

There is however one thing that I know I will Never ever forget in my life. As we stood there to honor our country’s hero’s, the family members that were following behind their loved ones had opened their windows and each family had members waving as they followed behind there loved vehicles saying “Thank You” to those that stopped to honor their sons.

I could not help but cry for them, for their loss and how difficult it must be. But I was also able to see their strength and dedication to their children, to witness how proud they were of their sons and how thankful they were that we all stood strong with them. I know I will never forget what they sacrificed.

Please remember Pte. Chad Horn, Cpl. Andrew Grenon and Cpl. Mike Seggie who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and all of those before and unfortunately after them. Whose families have hadd to make the journey down the highway of hero’s not for the vacation that they all well deserved, but for the hero that they once called ‘my son’.

The journey that I made on the highway of hero’s has changed me. Although I had driven the highway many times I had never really thought of those that sacrificed their lives for us. I wish it never had to be experienced but it allowed me to feel how proud we should be of our troops.

I believe each and every person should take a moment and reflect how our lives would be different if it were not for our armed forces. I hope that we would all stand at the side of the road and feel the emotion and pain that is real not only to their families. To know that they each and everyday they sacrifice for us and put their own lives at risk seems insignificant only stopping by the side of the highway. I can only hope that I did them justice by documenting my time spent on the highway. Please God Bless these men and women that serve our country and fight these wars so our children will know the freedom that we have been given.

I have created a youtube video of the experience -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2vC6BWUdMk

Fisherfan

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Safe Boating Rules and Regulations

I was recently asked about the new boating regulation changes and how the changes would affect the average weekend warrior operating on the waterways around U.S and Canada. Although I really didn’t feel I knew the full answer to what the new rules were, I set out to find some of the answers.

It seemed that it was not going to be a quick and easy answer to my quest. There were regulations changing everywhere. In the U.S. it would depend on the state that you were in to follow the change that had already taken place or was going to take place. Canada had also set its own standard to be followed and by September 2009 full licensing will be required.

I found the following information on the website of www.boaterexam.com and it was extremely helpful. I also found that the site itself was also very user friendly. I would highly recommend that you investigate your own country or state regulations through Boater Exam.

Boating Licenses ARE available for the following areas and I would suggest that you take the opportunity to purchase yours online. You will have immediate access to having your license and making sure that you are meeting the requirements for your area.

To find out more about your Canadian Licenses:
http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/

U.S States information and licensing can be found at: http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/

For the following states: Alabama Alaska California Colorado Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Indiana Kansas Kentucky Mississippi Montana Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota
Tennessee Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming

Remember to stay safe! Happy boating!

Staying Safe in the Outdoors

Enjoying the Outdoors
By Terri Mackinnon

At what cost must we endure to enjoy the beautiful outdoors?

We have been told by medical professionals that we must make sure that we protect ourselves from the sun and outdoors elements and it is suggested that we use appropriate products to ensure our well being. There are many UV products today on the market available to ensure the safety of our family from the sun.

We must also look at protecting ourselves from another major problem in the outdoors – bugs. However not only do we have to protect ourselves against the consequences of possible diseases such as Lyme and West Nile, we need to also ensure that the protection that we are using is not more of a dangerous then the possibilities of the disease.

Chemical based repellents such as Deet are extremely dangerous to our health and need to be considered unsafe when we use them as they are recommended.

Recently I spent time in the serene and magnificent Algonquin Park. Although it seemed like we were miles away from civilization and on our own, we actually found out quite quickly that we were definitely not alone.

It seemed that we actually stumbled upon a huge convention that was being attended by a million or so mosquitoes. It was evident that they thought our campsite was the buffet table and we were the actual buffet.

Although we had a variety of bug sprays, candles citronella scent, screens, grids and lanterns, it was evident that there was not going to be a quick fix to keeping the mosquitoes under control. Our arsenal was full and each and everything we had brought was going to be needed.

We were prepared to enjoy it. Battle or not, we were prepared for it, or so we hoped.
I had the opportunity to try out a new product called the BugBam Grid. I could only hope that it was going to live up to its word and help defend our tent. If there was ever a time that the grid was going to be put up to a huge challenge then this was definitely going to be it.

I decided to actually use the product it in our tent. I really don’t like the deet related sprays and the citronella candles but this one claimed to be safe and still work.

One of my pet peeves is definitely buzzing mosquitoes in my ear. There is absolutely nothing worse then listening to them flying around your head as your try and close your eyes and go to sleep.

Twenty minutes before we went into the tent I hung it inside and it went to work. As difficult as it was getting into the tent without a thousand mosquitoes getting in it was quickly apparent that the mosquitoes were not actually coming any where near us and we were not being attacked even by the ones that managed to squeeze by us and get in.

A couple weeks after Algonquin I decided to try the Bugbam band at the cottage and I also had success. I would however recommend if you are going to be in a highly infested mosquito area to wear a couple of the bands.

These bands and grids are DEET Free and offer a great alternative to worrying about using unsafe chemically enhanced products.

Here is more information from BugBam. Check out there site http://www.bugbam.com

CHECK OUT BUGBAM’S PRODUCT LINE

Wristbands Repelling Fans Other Repelling Products Multi-Packs Pet Products

HOW IT WORKS / TEST RESULTS
Bug Bam uses a proprietary, DEET FREE formula that NO ONE ELSE has. It was created by Joseph Symond himself and is the ONLY brand of 100% natural repellent that has been scientifically tested and proven to work by the #1 entomology labs in both Australia and the USA! Read more about it here: THE TRUTH ABOUT NATURAL REPELLENTS

Mosquitoes and other flying, biting insects need blood in order to lay their eggs. The female Mosquito that does this through the use of ‘receptors’ that pick up the scent (inc. carbon dioxide, breath, sweat, lactic acid) of a person or animal that matches the blood they are looking for.
Bug Bam works by emitting an ‘aura’ of all natural, plant-based essential oils (hence the strong - yet pleasant - smell each product releases). Our formula is proprietary and based on the most effective, safe, all-natural and scientifically proven, EPA/FDA approved repelling ingredients available.
The Bug Bam ‘aura’ masks these odors we humans (and our pets) emit, effectively making you smell like a plant! [See Diagrams 1 & 2. below]
Mosquitoes and other flying, biting insects look elsewhere as they can no longer find their victims thanks to Bug Bam!


MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY REMAIN SAFE
http://www.bugbam.com

Thank you to Bugbam for all of their information. The product lived up to what it says. Try it … it can make the difference between having a great day out and staying safe or becoming sick. Be safe!

Great product to use on the fishing boat!

Fish Attractants

These powerful attractants can make a difference. I found that they actually stayed on longer then some of the other scents that are currently on the market. It comes in a variety of scents as follows: Bass Max, Bass Feast, Bass Hammer, Sand Shrimp, Shrimp, Special Mix, Shad, Salmon Egg, Salmon Feast, Crawfish, Crawfish/Anise, Craw Blend and let’s not forget Nightcrawler. Liquid Blend is also available in: Anchovy, Baitfish, Anise, Herring, Walleye Feast, Krill Xtra, Trout Enhancer, Sturgeon Feast scents.


Smelly Jelly has an amino acid base that keeps it working longer. It also comes in a full range of flavors and product sizes, This bait is amazing if you are going to be out fishing for Bass large or small, Salmon, Trout, Walleye, Steelhead, Pike, Crappie and even Bluegill. The scents are used by professional anglers and those weekend warriors that want to brag when they return back to the shore. If you are looking for the secret to great fishing look no further. You can find Smelly Jelly at a variety of tackle shops and if you check out Cabelas you will also find it.

Smelly Jelly is also available online at http://www.anglerswaypoint.com/smellyjelly.htm get them to send you out your supply and start catching real fish.

Smelly Jelly comes in 2 varieties – Solid or liquid scents. Both formulas come in two sizes 1oz and 4oz jars to meet your needs. (I would definitely recommend the 4oz why run back to the store for more. You will be glad you did.)

Solid versus Liquid: The difference really is preference. Personally mine is the solid however the liquid version is great for injecting those baits and comes in a squeezable bottle so you don’t have to put it on with your fingers. Smelly is easily cleaned up so don’t worry about going out later and still smelling like your bait that won’t happen.

ESPN Women’s Bassmaster Pro Angler Renee Brisendine has been using Smelly Jelly for the past couple years and has seen an incredible growth with the product as more people are catching on. Here is what she has to say about it.

“I don’t throw anything that doesn’t have Smelly Jelly on it. Using this product either in the liquid or paste puts a scent trail that the bass cannot resist. Once the fish get the taste they hang on longer which help to increase the number of bass I catch.

It is definitely making a difference for the professional anglers that are relying on every benefit that they can get in a tournament. Let’s not forget those that would like nothing better then to look like a Pro to their fishing buddies over the weekend. I’m sure you know who you are! Fish attractants are for anyone anytime.