Topics

1

Outdoor Activities / New Pistola

« on: April 04, 2023, 08:40:14 AM »

My awesome wife let me get a new pistol for our anniversary!
I've been wanting to get a more powerful handgun for being in the woods up here.  My 9mm seems dainty with all be big game we have around, especially with more grizzlies being seen in the areas I hunt/fish/camp.
I found a great deal online for a Springfield XD-M Elite in 10mm.  I already have a 9mm XD Subcompact, and really like the platform, so I expect this will be the same.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/xd-series-handguns/xd-m-elite-handguns/xd-m-elite-45-osp-10mm-handgun/

Can't wait for the call from my FFL!

2

Outdoor Activities / Snow caves!

« on: February 20, 2023, 01:52:54 PM »

My boys and I are part of an organization called Trail Life.  This weekend three other dads and I took 13 boys up to Lookout Pass just across the border in Montana to build snow caves.  These boys continue to surprise me!  They packed in all their gear on their backs or on sleds Saturday morning, spent the day excavating snow caves, spent the night in them, and packed out Sunday morning.  Out of the 12 boys, 9 of them slept the whole night in their cave!  Two of them had weren't able to because they had cave ins on the first and second attempts, but kept trying, and the two youngest ones decided at the last minute that the weren't quite ready (but I'm sure they will do it next year).  It was an awesome experience and I continue to learn much from the perseverance and hard work of these young men! 

3

General Board / Trick or Treat!

« on: October 31, 2022, 11:08:07 AM »

It's been a couple of years since we did the whole Jack O' Lantern thing with the kids.  They have been very helpful lately, so we decided they had earned it this year.  Also the fact that the older three can do their own now was very convincing for me 

We had a blast and they did a great job!











Happy Halloween!

4

Hunting Board / Thumper build

« on: October 03, 2022, 03:06:10 PM »

Finally finished building my AR15 in .450 Bushmaster.  Just in time for elk season.  Just need to mount the optic and sight it in.

5

Freshwater Shore Fishing Reports / North Idaho Fishing with my Boys

« on: September 20, 2022, 10:33:23 AM »

Hi Guys,
Good to see you all doing well and catching fish!
I thought I'd share a few pics of this weekend's outing with my boys.  We went to a small local lake and spent the day fishing off the dock.  We had a blast!  The older boys are pretty self sufficient now and have more patience for targeting the larger fish.  The little boys just love dropping a piece of worm down and watching the little panfish fight over it.









We kept the two trout and cooked them on the grill.  Delicious!



I don't take a rod when I'm fishing with the little guys, too much action helping them to do any fishing, so I got the lone skunk.
Watching them have a blast and seeing their smiles more than makes up for it though!
Tight lines!
Chad

6

Classifieds / Cleaning out the Garage - Terminal tackle

« on: April 25, 2022, 03:02:01 PM »

Hey guys, I check in a lot to see how ya'll are doing.  Sorry to hear the surf fishing isn't better right now, hopefully it picks up soon!  Anyway, I was cleaning out the garage and found all this terminal gear that I won't be need up here in North Idaho. 

Make me an offer, or trade for freshwater gear/tackle or hunting/shooting gear or parts.









Let me know if your interested.

Chad

7

Hunting Board / Home built

« on: August 20, 2021, 08:07:07 AM »

Well, I haven't been messing with reels much lately since I've found a new hobby.  Just can't keep myself from tweaking and customizing anything LoL.
Put this together from parts I've been collecting for the last 6 months or so.  Took it to the range after passing all safety checks.  Great shooter!

8

Freshwater Shore Fishing Reports / A little fishing and an update.

« on: July 08, 2021, 09:58:29 AM »

Hi Guys!
I was finally able to do some fishing up here in north Idaho.  I had waited 6 months to become a resident before buying my fishing/hunting licenses and tags and have just been so busy that I haven't had time to get out until last night.  My uncle and I went out to the Coeur d'Alene river after work.  Spent a bit of time trying to find the right access spot and hike down to the river.  The water is still pretty high, so it wasn't as accessible as we hoped, but it was fun to just be out there.  We saw a beaver swim away as we walked up.  That was first for me and wow, they are bigger than I thought, had to be 40 pounds or so!  I only brought my fly rod and with the water level, I wish I had my spinner.  Made the best of it, and finally hooked up after tying on a #16 bead head copper john.  What a fight, sure glad I had brought my landing net!




   Only fish of the evening, but at least I beat the skunk!  At first I was concerned this might be the equivilent of a thornback and put me at -1, but my uncle confirmed that we don't have any -1's up here 

Can Ben or anyone help me with an ID on this fish?  Pike minnow maybe?

A few minutes later a young bull moose wandered down up stream from us.



On Monday we took the kids for a long drive up in the mountains.  Just took dirt roads for hours exploring and had a blast!  Played in the river and shot the .22's. 







We've also started seeing this years babies running around the yard too.





Man I love it here!

9

Hunting Board / Springfield XD9 mod

« on: April 28, 2021, 03:02:11 PM »

I 3D printed +3 mag extensions for my XD9.
Now holds 15+1 

10

Fishing Accessories / Hey Jim! Knife restoration ?'s

« on: February 22, 2021, 10:48:09 AM »

I have a few of my Grandfather's old knives I'd like to restore.
A couple folders and a couple fixed blades with leather disc handles.
Any tips or resources?
Thanks!

11

Hunting Board / Newbie hunter

« on: January 22, 2021, 07:17:19 AM »

I grew up fishing, learning from my dad and grandpa.  My grandpa was also a good hunter.  I wish he was still around to teach me now that I've moved up here.  I'm really excited about the fishing opportunities up here, but looking forward to learning to hunt as well.  I'm working on getting my Sportsman's package (fishing/hunting licenses, and tags) but I have zero hunting experience. 
Any tips for a newbie as I get started?

12

Hunting Board / Gun belt review

« on: September 15, 2020, 01:54:21 PM »

Good morning Gals and Gents,
I'm sorry that I haven't had much in the way of beneficial input for the forum lately with our upcoming move and all that goes into that.  However, I wanted to post a review of a new belt that I'm using.  One thing that's always been on the back of my mind as far as protecting my family is concerned, is wanting to carry a firearm.  I know there's a huge responsibility that goes with this and I don't take it lightly, but I have been seriously thinking through and researching this a lot.  With our move to ID, this is even more of a reality because of the carry laws there.  In preparation for open/concealed carry, I wanted to start with a belt that would be adequate for keeping a firearm in place properly and be comfortable for everyday use. 

My research led me to this Nexbelt. www.nexbelt.com





I also love that it's a USA based company and partners with Folds of Honor.



It's not a traditional leather belt with holes.  The belt is made from a 1-1/2" wide and 3/16" thick nylon composite material and uses a ratchet buckle that is adjustable in 1/4" increments.  This was very attractive to me since I always seem to find myself between sets of holes on a standard belt, and hate putting new holes in them.  the buckle is steel and powder coated for durability.  The belt come in one length and you cut it and attach the buckle yourself for your exact fit. 

It's well packaged and super easy to set up.



Starting with your normal pants waist size, add 4".  This is supposed to give room for and IWB holster as well.



Open the buckle clamp and insert the cut end of the belt, then fold the clamp lever down.





Using the included allen key, install the set screws and tighten securely.  The set screws even had pre-applied thread locker.





When you put it on, you just slide the 'tag' end of the belt through the buckle and the ratchet dog locks into the grooves.  The tighter you pull it, the more grooves it passes and holds tight.  To remove, you simply pull slightly on the tag end and release the dog with a small lever on the bottom of the buckle.

I've been wearing it for over a week now and I absolutely love it.  It's just as comfortable, if not more so, than my leather belts.  I love the 1/4" increments for getting the fit just right and it's very easy to adjust throughout the day.  It's also very ridged and I think it will support a firearm very well.  I haven't carried with it yet, but will report back after I have.

Check it out 

13

Classifieds / For sale: HEAVY surf rod

« on: August 28, 2020, 01:27:32 PM »

Brand new Shakespeare Ugly Stik 10' surf rod rated extra heavy.
$50 or best offer or trade.

14

Classifieds / Moving sale

« on: August 17, 2020, 08:22:07 AM »

I'm packing and purging for our big move and listing some stuff in case anyone is interested.

Looking for cash offers, or trade for freshwater gear or a BB/pellet gun.

1.  Fully upgraded 9500SS. It has the good brass main and pinion gears. Penn bailless kit Penn drag upgrade 3sevens titanium double dog kit Rare power handle and knob (I also have the original parts to go with it) $250



2.  Newell 112H Tuna Special kit for trade.
Spool, base, clamp, two sets of cross bars.



3.  Three like new 285's.
Two used, but clean 85's with brown mottled side plates.
One like new 209.

15

General Board / The Next Chapter

« on: July 29, 2020, 09:20:36 AM »

Hey Guys!
I'm sorry I haven't replied or been on the board much.  Life has been crazy as you can all attest to.  I've been extra busy at work as well as a lot of other stuff going on.

I wanted to give an update.
I've grown up in southern California as has my wonderful wife.  We've been blessed with 6 amazing children.  We are a single income family and my wife has the tougher job of being home all day homeschooling the kids and everything else.
I've been at my current job for 6 years as an engineer with a company that manufactures auto suspension components.  The company is amazing and I can't imagine finding someplace with a better atmosphere, leadership, and coworkers.  The company is growing, and looks to have a bright future and that includes me having a possibility of growing with it.
The problem for us is that I'm the sole breadwinner since my wife is crazy busy with the kids and homeschooling, etc.
Cost of housing, living, etc. are becoming very discouraging for us.  We live in an apartment with a small patio as the only area for the kids to be outside.  The neighborhood is not good either.  We want nothing more than to own a home (it doesn't need to be big, just with a decent yard for the kids to run and play).  My boss keeps saying that the opportunities with this company will pay off big, but that doesn't help us now and our current income is barely getting us by.
Please don't take this as complaining, I try really hard to just be thankful for what we do have, and I consider myself a very blessed man.

Well after a few years of us looking at options as well as trying to find a job in other states, this pandemic and everything else going on in the country has pushed us harder than ever to consider our options and find a way to get out of CA.  I don't know what the future holds, but with all that is going on I've become more certain that if things get worse, CA is the last place I want to raise my family.  My wife and I started looking again and talking seriously with my brother/sister in law.  They are of the same mind and he was able to get approval from his company to go full remote, allowing him to move where ever he'd like.  We wanted to try to stay on the western half of the US to be within driving distance of our families that are here and considered many options.  We've been praying like crazy for direction and opportunities.

My company currently has two employees (our marketing guys) that live and work out of Coeur d'Alene, ID.  So I did my research and put together a proposal for my boss to request to transfer up there with them.  I was not hopeful that this would be considered, much less approved, so my back up plan is in the works as well.  I've updated my resume and I'm working on getting it out there to see what other jobs might be available. 

I made my pitch a couple of weeks ago and yesterday he finally gave me approval to make the move!!

I still can't believe he approved it!  We're so excited!  I'm not sure of the timeline yet, but I'm going to try to get at least one more shark before we move.  I'll probably start selling/trading my saltwater gear for freshwater, haha!