5-1-2008  I have to share something personal today.  I have been reluctant to do so, but the "rumor mill" has it now and the only way to combat the rumor mill is with facts.

I have been sick for a while now and we have just found out the cause.

I have testicular cancer.  I had outpatient surgery yesterday and I start chemo Monday and my treatments will go into August.

The statistics say that this is extremely survivable.  Hey - Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France after this and dated Sheryl Crowe.  Trust me, there are a lot of people out there much worse off than me.  I will get through this with the help of my family and friends just fine.

The business will stay open, I have all the help I need to fill orders.  If you are lucky when you call this summer you will deal with my daughter who is a much nicer person than I am.  Orders will continue to ship out on time.

More importantly, I plan to fish more this year than last.

4-30-2008 

Meijer cuts short contest raising money for Humane Society

The Associated Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Meijer Inc. has cut short an online pet photo contest that was raising money for the Humane Society of the United States.

The Grand Rapids Press reports the retailer stopped the contest Monday after the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance complained the Humane Society is anti-hunting.

The contest was to help pet-owning families going through foreclosure. The program was set up to donate $1, up to $5,000, for every entry to the pet photo contest to the Foreclosure Pets Fund. 

Meijer spokeswoman Stacie Behler says "feedback from our customers is important."

Humane Society executive vice president Michael Markarian says its "outrageous" the hunting group "would try to prevent foreclosure victims from getting help."

What is outrageous is the idea that the HSUS is trying to pass it's self off as a group that cares about anything other than raising money to line their own pockets.  These are the people who are against feeding game to the poor.

Meijer probably thought they were dealing with the Michigan Humane Society that actually helps care for animals.

The bottom line here is that your support for groups like the USSA does make a difference.

4-29-2008  OK, now that both a Democrat and a Republican presidential candidate have both latched on to a truly stupid idea I can comment on it without being partisan.

Hey, I want gas prices down.  There is no doubt in my mind that high fuel prices will cost me sales and income this year.  People are going to fish less and getting fishing tackle made and to you will cost me more.

A "holiday" from the gas tax will accomplish nothing but lining the pockets of the oil companies.  It is simple economics.  If the price goes down, consumption will go up and with the limited supply, the price will go back up.  The only difference is that the government will have less money for the road repairs and the jobs that go with them.

If you want to lower gas prices you have to increase the supply of gas.  Nothing else will have any significant effect. 

Neither candidate that proposes the tax cut is stupid enough to believe that it will work, but they believe that you will think they want to help you, and that they will get your vote by telling you what you want to hear.

Before you think I am siding with the other guy here, I will give him a point for not pandering to us on a false hope of a break, but I have heard nothing in the way of a real plan from anyone to fix the real issues behind gas prices.  His comments concerning the auto industry shows a complete lack of understanding of the industry and the issues facing it.

We have some real issues facing us as a nation and I have not seen much in the way of leadership from any of these people.  It is time for us to demand that our leaders have more than 5 word slogans in the way of solutions to these problems.

The biologists say that the number of rods is not a good way to manage the fishery.  The DNR is there to manage the fishery and, apparently, make us feel good about our selves.  If we get to our limit quicker with 3 rods, won't we feel happy about our manliness?

I think these rules are only in place at all to give the enforcement guys something to write tickets on.  How about getting rid of rules that the DNR themselves say are not good ways to regulate the fishery and have the enforcement guys go after POACHERS.

2002008 Harbor Beach Can-Can  Salmon-Trout Fishing Tournament May 3, 2008 The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Mid-Eastern Michigan is pleased to offer a great opportunity to help in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy…FISHING FOR A CURE! http://www.harborbeachmi.org/fishing.html 4-17-2008  Unfortunately the above was the catch of the day yesterday.  We went down to Locust Point on Lake Erie jigging for Walleye and came up with nothing but Zebra Muscles.  A hard south wind and very muddy water did us, and from the look of the fish cleaning station everyone else, in. It was real nice to get back out on the water though. 4-16-2008  I hope to have a fishing report tomorrow! The nut balls (I am not publicizing their name) in the news say it takes "3 minutes" to buy a gun in the US, so they are going to lie on the ground somewhere for 3 minutes.  Funny, it took at least 20 minutes last year for me to buy a gun.  I find it interesting that they are using the Virginia Tech shootings in their propaganda.  The school is a "gun free zone", so that made the students "safe" because groups like this had already gotten their way.  If Virginia Tech had allowed law abiding citizens with CCW permits to have their guns with them, many of those young people would be alive today. But then again, these people have never let facts get in the way. 4-15-2008  Tax day today! It's nice being able to work without the constant need for attention the puppies had, but I kind of miss the little guys and their enthusiasm for everything.  Fortunately I can visit a couple of them. 2008 Elk Season Dates and Quotas Set by NRC Contact:  Rodney Clute 517-373-1263 Agency: Natural Resources April 14, 2008 The Natural Resources Commission approved the 2008 elk season dates and quotas at their meeting last week. The dates for Hunt Period 1 (early elk season) are Aug. 26-29 and Sept. 12-16. The dates for Hunt Period 2 (December elk season) are Dec. 9-16. The time frame for Hunt Period 3 (January elk season) would be five days in mid-January, if the hunt is necessary to achieve population management goals. Following a survey of the elk range in February, the elk herd is estimated to be between 1,100 and 1,200 animals. The management objective is for 800 to 900 elk. To manage the elk toward the desired objective there will be 330 elk licenses available this year -- double the number available last year. The application dates have changed from the previous application period. Interested individuals may apply for an elk license from May 1 to June 1. Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. Hunters may apply online at www.michigan.gov/dnr, any authorized license agent, or at a DNR Operations Service Center. A nonrefundable $4 fee must be paid at the time of application. The application periods for bear licenses and elk licenses will be the same this year so people may apply for both license types at the same time. The cost for a bear hunting license application is also $4. Drawing results for elk will be posted on the DNR Web site on Monday, June 23, 2008. 4-14-2008  Tomorrow is Tax Day!  Today I was supposed to be fishing, but that is spring weather for you. "We all hate paying taxes. But the truth of the matter is without our tax money, many politicians would not be able to afford prostitutes." -- Jimmy Kimmel Walker Deeper Divers are in stock with new "Clear" in 124, 107, 65, and 45mm and new "124mm" (Same as the "Magnum with a ring 003")Size.  We also have Glow Bottoms in all sizes including 82mm.  The 124mm also fits the "4 7/8 size 003 Magnum" LJ Diver and the The 107mm also fits the "4 1/8 size 001" LJ Diver. 4-12-2008  The last pup sold in about 5 minutes at Rooster Ranch today.  The group had just finished a hunt over her dad, "Ben" and between that and her disposition she was an easy sale. I am now "puppy-less" for the first time in 13 weeks.  Kind of a good news/bad news thing.  I will miss them. Jenny had a good time, she flushed 3 stray birds while we were there. The group included several youngsters who had a GREAT time shooting birds.  You want a great way to introduce a youngster to hunting where they can get the rewards of a successful hunt, you should check out Rooster Ranch. 4-11-2008  8 of the pups are sold! St. Joe 4-5-2008 4-8-2008  I am down to 1 female pup left, the last boy and one of the girls found a home today.  7 visits from prospective buyers and 7 dogs sold.  Quality sells it's self. A customer fishing report, a successful one no less, the best kind: Friday: Went out at 3pm due to wind, rain, waves. After trolling about a mile south we quickly picked up a 3 man limit of Coho plus a bonus brown in about 1.5 hours. The hot set-ups were orange dodgers w/ p-nut flies (10 ft back on dipsys!), thinfins, and orange joined rapalas. We fished 10-20 fow most of the time.  Saturday: Since we were fishing the Brown Blast tournament, we made a concerted effort to avoid Coho and hopefully get the higher valued browns. Hence our spread included no dodgers, larger body baits and limited orange lures (additionally we fished in 5 – 6 fow, with our boards nearly on the beach). We managed to box a nice brown on a black/silver J11 rapala and lost a monster brown on a dipsy 5 feet back with a wonderbread reef runner. Outside of that it was an absolute Coho fest. We caught Coho on everything under the sun and as shallow as 3 fow. It took no time at all to box out on the suicidal silvers without even trying. We went so far as selecting lures we thought had no chance catching a Coho (enclosed is a picture of one ignorant Coho that decided he was fond of a bass bait). We ended up finishing in the middle of the pack as you needed at least a few non-Coho to be in the money. If you have the chance I would say right now is a pretty good time to get some good “catching” practice in.   Big Jon Gold Net Holder. 4-5-2008  Big Jon is now offering a Net Holder.  My buddy got his custom gold anodized to match the rest of his Big Jon Holders. We should all take a moment to remember Charlton Heston, a man who did a lot to preserve your 2nd Amendment Rights.   Spring is finally here, at least according to Jenny. 4-5-2008  Finally some real nice weather with no snow in sight!  I have been working hard to get Jenny back into shape after the pups, and she looks like she is ready to hunt this week.  I am taking her and whatever pups remain to the Rooster Ranch this week.  They have a big hunt up there this weekend and there should be no problem moving the last dogs there. The secret to a long workout for a Lab is having water nearby for them to keep hydrated and get their belly wet.  A short break in the pool and she is good for another 10 long retrieves. You really have to watch these dogs, they will kill themselves to please you, it is up to you to set the limits. I have picked the dog I will keep, "Blue", named only for her collar.  She is a sweet tempered girl who I am sure will be a bird hunting machine.  I will be picking a name soon.  I am partial to "Sally" right now, after one of the best dogs I have ever seen, a cocker spaniel we had when I was a kid. I am taking Jenny to Farmland Pheasant Hunters for the Ruffed Grouse Society's Gun Dog Fun Trial just to see how we do.  As usual I don't expect to be the strong player on this team, but we should have some fun. You want a real strange experience?  Go to your alma mater and tour the residence hall and stand with your daughter in a 3-31-2008  I am going with my daughter to look at colleges this week.  This is actually a pretty good time to do this, the lull between the guys who want everything ready early and the rest of us who wait until the last minute. Twinkie Twinkie bait Rigs are now on sale. http://www.bobsoutdoors.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=164 3-28-2008  And then they were 4, the Big Boy went home today.  I expect to be done selling dogs next week. ANDE Clear Monofilament is now on sale, very limited quantities: http://www.bobsoutdoors.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=266 Power Pro is also on sale: http://www.bobsoutdoors.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=148 Gulp is also on sale - Get $5 back for buying 3 packages Check out the Metro West Steelheaders' Newsletter  http://www.michigansteelheaders.org/stchapter_newsletters_image/2008/metro_west_april.pdf 3-27-2008  Be sure and get your new Michigan fishing license before Tuesday when your 2006 expires. From the Flint Steelheaders: "In either April or May, brown trout will be released in Lake Huron.  All in all about 700,000 of them.  A majority of these fish will be released in the Oscoda area.  What we are looking for is volunteers who can spend some time watching over the released brown trout and keeping the cormorants from eating down most of them.    At this I'm not sure what type of devices are going to be used to accomplish this but I'm sure it'll be useful at keeping the cormorants away from the newly released fish.  (BOOM-BOOM)   Norm will passing along more information as soon as he gets it but for now, please give it some thought.    Also, Michigan HB 5344, the $150.000 allocated to the USDA-WS from the State of Michigan for cormorant control has made it's way through the House and was referred to the Committee of Appropriations on 3/25/08"   Female I have 1 black Female for Sale. Born January 11, 2008 $600 Firm Our puppies are guaranteed until the age of 28 months against hip dysplasia (per OFA) and hereditary eye diseases.   Both Jennifer and "Roosters Blackjack Ben" are Registered Purebred Labradors from Rooster Ranch. In Jennifer's Pedigree: CH Franklin's Pickpocket for Kerrybrook MH G. Gordon from Salmon Falls Kennel Salmon Falls Flyway Nix In Blackjack Ben's: Parents: Wannamaker's Hot Tub APLA Grand Master Pointing Retriever and AKC Senior Hunting Title Eli's Blackjack Tori APLA Grand Master Pointing Retriever Grandparents: Sir's Mighty Eli 2000 Quail Unlimited National Flushing Dog Champion Blackwater Lexus ALPA Grand Master Pointing Retriever Beyond that, Jennifer is the best dog I have ever owned.  Excellent, calm temperament, incredibly anxious to please, "bad dog" is the worst punishment I have ever needed for disciplining this dog. As far as hunting instincts, both dogs are excellent bird hunters (flushers) and retrievers.  Ben is a working dog at the Rooster Ranch, as is both jenny's parents. The puppies are all very sociable and smart and even partially house trained. From Owners of the first dogs sold: "Zoey slept with Mike & me last night.  Except for her snoring she slept like a baby.  I have had pups/ dogs for 30 yrs Bob and I have never had a pup sleep with me without keeping us up all night.  She is so good.  She gets along with everyone and they all love her.  She lays with me all the time.  When my girls left for school this morning she cried.  She is GREAT.  You and your wife did a GREAT job.  I'll keep you posted and send pictures soon.  I had a friend who is a Lab breeder come over today with her pup who is 5 weeks older.  My Zoey took her leash and led her around the house, then took a nap at my feet.  She is truly AMAZING.  Thanks so much.  I promise to keep in touch." "Our little yellow guy has been doing great in his first days with us.  A few whimpers the first night, but he's been great since.  10pm-5am with no accidents in his crate overnight, and he went from 7:30-4:30 today in his crate with no accidents.  He's was with 2 other dogs over the weekend, and behaved like an angel.  One of them was a 14 week old Lab mix from the shelter - the behavior difference between the two was remarkable.  He's got "sit" down pat, and comes running with "come", I don't think the 14 week old can do either after a couple weeks of puppy obedience class. By the way, my 5 year old named him Rocket." One question I keep getting is, "These are hunting dogs but I just want a pet." My answer is, "What do you want in a pet?"  If you want health, calm temperament, intelligence, obedience, and loyalty, then you want all the qualities of a good hunting dog.  Just don't be surprised if he brings you a bird some day. Most of these dogs are going as pets.  One will be a part time companion to special needs kids. One last warning.... Not one single person has come to see these dogs and not bought one. My buddy has developed a neat "Ridgeback Holder" for his Steiger New roof mounted rod holders A short piece of wiring shrink tubing will keep the rubber band on these Big Jon releases. 3-25-2008  My buddy has been working away on his boat.  Spring is coming! 3-24-2008  Another Black Female went home today.  The yellow male is also sold. 3-23-2008  Happy Easter! 3-20-2008  I did some research into Ben's pedigree.  I have seen the pups at a couple of times point and discounted it.  Maybe I should be looking closer.  Two generations of Grand Master Pointing Retrievers, wow. One of the Yellow boys went home today.  With the warmer weather they will be going fast now. 3-19-2008  The first pup sold is doing very well with a new family in Romeo, MI.  She went to a nice family with kids and the dad was looking for a duck hunting dog to introduce his son to hunting.  They said she slept the whole first night through without any problems or accidents. 3-18-2007  I filled out my DNR Survey today concerning my hunting activities last fall.  We all complain about them, but they need good data to do their job.  The least we can do is take 5 minutes to give them the data. 3-17-2008  The show season is finally over, for me at least.  I enjoy getting out and seeing my customers and friends who I see only at shows, and even most of my competitors, who are almost all great guys. On the other hand, it leaves me backed up with a bunch of work and orders not being processed as quickly as I like.  The next couple of days will be devoted to catching up. 3-12-2008  A "major" spoon manufacturer has copied the Raider Chicken Pox, even so far as to call it "Pox".  That is part of the reality of the fishing tackle business.  What really cracks me up is the back of the package:  "We will never sit back and follow in the foot steps of others in the business."  I guess if they are "on the leading edge" then I must be ahead of the curve! 3-12-2008  My partner has completed the installation of his Depth Raider and the 1000 W Transducer on the Steiger. 3-5-2008  Yesterday was rather frustrating dealing with some computer issues.  Let's just say, the Hacker Safe service protects me from Hackers, but nothing protects the site from me! 3-3-2007  Today will be spent trying to catch up with orders.  I should have all outstanding orders out by Wednesday. 2-28-2008  Today begins what I consider the best Great Lakes show there is.  Flint (MI) River Valley Steelheaders Show in Birch Run is pretty much all Great Lakes tackle.  Ridgeback Rattler, Great Lakes Angler, Franks (with a BIG tackle area) just to name a few, along with me of course, will be there. I will be in the South Arena where I was last year next to Great Lakes Angler. 2-27-2008  I have been running around like a madman, and tomorrow AM I head out to set up for the Flint (MI) River Valley Steelheaders Birch Run Show. This is my big show for the year and I will be having great deals on Rods, Reels Kingfishers, Inticers, Bait Rigs and Walker Deeper Divers OK, it's not the sexiest thing on the boat, but neat, proper wiring up front leads to more fishing time and less issues down the road.  Notice room for two more power leads down the road.  Spend the extra couple of $ and you will save in the long run. 2-21-2008  I am off to Madison for the Madison Fishing Expo.  The weather looks great, sunny and into the 30's.  That's a heat wave!  Well, a darn sight better than last year's blizzard. 2-20-2008  Tomorrow I leave for Madison, so orders will probably be delayed. I am giving a seminar at 10 am Saturday and 2:30 pm Sunday on beginning salmon fishing.  Please stop by! You can hit my seminar at 10 and the Dan Keating/Dave Mull Show at 11. Captain John Geer of "Bulldog One" and inventor of the Clip Catcher relaxes at the Monroe Show. 2-19-2008  I hope by December I'll stop typing 2007... Save big $$$ on a used fish hawk The Steiger Craft may be featured in next year's catalog and Steiger's web advertising.  My buddy has done an excellent job outfitting this boat. 2-18-2008  Captain Werner Stenger will be representing Raider Spoons at Booth 31 of the 2008 LAKE ONTARIO FISHING EXPO AND FLEA MARKET Saturday, February 24 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension 4H Building in Lockport, NY.  Stop by and get a bumper sticker and a 2008 Catalog.  Stop by anyway and help support LOTSA's Pen Projects.  They reared over 180,000 Salmon last year, well worth $5 to support.  If I was not in Madison this week I would be there. Check out the lights my partner installed on the Steiger Craft So if you are a stone cutter, and you want a step pad for your boat that will wear forever, why wouldn't you use granite? 2-17-2008  Back from the Mid-Michigan Steelheaders Swap Meet today.  it was a good show with lots of bargains. 2-14-2008 Happy Valentines Day!  You didn't forget, did you? 2 new items on the store today.  "Dive Bombs" are going to revolutionize the use of lead core and copper, making it possible for you to severely cut back on the number of rods on the boat while giving you more flexibility on depth. I have the new design that has a steel insert inside the lead weight.  Last year's "all lead" version had some issues that this version corrected. Second, I finally have a supply of Dan Keating's DVD's in the Books & Videos  section. Also, I have a new book, "Billy Goes Hunting".  Something that has been bothering me for a long time is how the media depicts hunting and fishing to our children.  Disney is an almost constant attack on hunters and fishermen, they are consistently depicted as cruel and/or stupid. Well, you can pick up a book for your kids or grandkids that does a pretty good job of telling our side of the story. “Matt Butler has created an important educational tool for America’s youth with his book Billy Goes Hunting. Matt’s honest approach and genuine instinct as steward for our precious life giving natural resources needs only a reminder to be fired up. Conservation is in our blood and this book will fan the flames.” - Ted Nugent The book is also in the Books & Videos section 2-13-2008  Today was the pup's first trip outside into the big, snowy, world.  They did not go far or for long, but the cold did not bother them one bit. 2-12-2008  We are experiencing a tropical heat wave here today, it's already up to 10 degrees and is expected to get into the 20's.  After yesterday I feel like getting out my shorts. American Quality and Durability? - just read this. 2-11-2008  The pups grow amazingly fast daily in both size and personality.  You might enjoy a film of an epic struggle. The show went very well this weekend.  Lots of activity, great seminars and lots of customers.  The Steelheaders put on a fine event. 2-8-2007  Off to set up for the MI-OH Sportfishing Expo that starts tomorrow.  This is a Huron Valley Steelheaders event, so the profits go back into our fishery.  Come on in and support the cause.  If you went to previous shows you will be surprised this year.  At last count they have 70 vendors in a brand new venue. 2-7-2008  I just got the wire I ordered in.  I will have plenty on hand this weekend. I hope you enjoy the post card my Mom sent me the other day from Florida.  Ha Ha. Why is it that snow in November is "pretty", snow in February is annoying and snow in March is just plain disgusting? 2-6-2008  If you are planning on visiting me at the shows, please check out the above.  I will not have all items at the shows.  At the the swap meet, I will only have some overstock and discontinued and used items, at the Grand Rapids Show, I will only have Raider Spoons, unless you order ahead of time. One thing I will not have for this weekend is wire.  I have not heard at all from my supplier and there is no sign of my order from many weeks ago. 2-5-2008  Puppies, the Movie 2-4-2008  From Josh Swanton "Raider Spoons' Man in Kuwait": The crew from the fishing show “Professional Tarpon Tournament Series” went for a ride with us today en route to Baghdad to do a show on fishing one of Saddam’s lakes.  I brought a few of my poles along so they could get some footage wetting a line in the North Arabian Gulf.  Joining us were Joe Mercurio, Captain Eric Mannerino, Kristen Berset and two cameramen.  Kristen was Miss Florida in 2004 and was a top ten finalist for Miss USA.  I’m told the show will air in October on ESPN2. Everyone wanted to know who Bakers Dozen Fishing Team was, so I told them it was a big name on the Professional Salmon Tournament Series (j/k). 2-1-2007  About 4 inches of snow this morning.  A far cry from the 10-12 predicted, what a surprise. I wonder how much would be on the ground now if we didn't keep getting warm spells in between? Your last chance on the Silver Streaks and the Yeck Salmon Spoons is coming up fast.  These are great prices on the last I will have of some pretty good (Not as good as Raider of course) spoons. 1-31-2008  Yesterday we were without power or internet for most of the day, meaning very little got done.  Not what I needed coming off of a show. Hopefully all orders can get caught up tomorrow. Sorry about the blurry picture, the camera phone does not do them justice.  The pup's eyes are open and they are exploring out of their box. 1-28-2008  I got home from Syracuse this morning at 3 am.  It was a pretty good show, I met some long time customers and made some new ones. The Steelhead are in the Salmon River in Altmar New York.  Captain Harry from Salmon River Outfitters came in with the above fish he caught in a quick trip before the show Sunday!  Must be nice to step out your door and fish like that. My next event is Saturday in Grandville a local swap meet you can read more about here. Look who got caught in front of my favorite Deer blind last week!  Maybe he'll have 2 more points next year. Super Glow Bluegrass 1-24-2008  I am off to New York today.  This time of year orders may take a week with getting ready/recovering from shows.  If you actually are fishing (brrrr...) and are in need of a rush order, please give me a call. 1-23-2008  Painting spoons that are good enough to call Raider is a skill I am hard at work learning.  I am getting there, but it takes time. Photographing spoons is another difficult skill.  I think you will find that the above is a much prettier spoon in person than the photo shows.  Both the green and the blue are Super Glow with a tough powder coat clear coat over the top. Time is not something I have right now.  I hope to see a bunch of my loyal New York customers at the show this weekend at the Fairgrounds. 1-21-2008  This week is my first show in Syracuse NY.  I am painting up a storm out in the paint booth.  I will have my new colors ready to show real soon. I am disappointed about Green Bay.  I would have liked to see Brett in the Super Bowl again, but New York will get murdered by New England anyway.   Lunch Time    11-16-2008  The pups have almost doubled in size in just 5 days. From the AKC: 2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. 1. Labrador Retriever 2. Yorkshire Terrier 3. German Shepherd Dog  4. Golden Retriever 5. Beagle 6. Boxer 7. Dachshund 8. Poodle  9. Shih Tzu 10. Bulldog 11-15-2007  Today is election day in Michigan.  I urge you to have your say today.  Politicians have statisticians looking at all kinds of things.  You can say, with good reason, that money has a lot to do with political power, but the real political power in this country comes from the vote. Send a message to Washington and Lansing that sportsmen and women VOTE. Look at it another way, they expect 20% turnout of eligible voters, which is less than half the population.  In other words, you get to vote for yourself and 9 other people. I am NOT endorsing a candidate or party.  That is for other web sites.  I provide this link to a story to show you the power that sportsmen and women have in this election: http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/SandyFroman/2008/01/12/gun_vote_could_decide_michigan_gop_primary A little bit about Dog Breeding and Breeders: I selected a breeder that is breeding and using working dogs.  These dogs are not bred for size, or color or anything but the ability to perform in the field.  The breeder keeps to the "breed norms" in size and color and such, but those are not his "goals". So what does that mean: Healthy:  The dogs must be able to work.  The breeder has a great interest in keeping all health issues out of his lines. Strong and durable:  Dogs that wilt after a couple of hours are of no use. Healthy breeders:  A breeder like this needs dogs that produce pups without a ton of vet bills. Smart:  Birds are pretty smart, even "farm birds".  The dogs have to be smarter.  They must be easy to train, he has a lot of dogs to train. Personality:  His dogs must perform and get along with the general public, or at least the general hunting public. Hunting:  Last but not least, his dogs can't be gun shy, they must have good noses and must be "birdy". The main thing that makes at good hunting dog is the intense desire to please YOU, the master.  That is the foundation for all of the trainability and drive.  When I have to reprimand Jenny it is never physical, my tone of voice can be devastating to that dog.  On the other hand, the happiest I have seen her is presenting me with a bird or a ball or anything she thinks will please me. In my opinion if you look at a breeder, look at their goals.  If they are breeding show dogs, that means certain things that you may or may not want in a dog.  If they are breeding for a "look" or a color, what are they willing to compromise on to reach their "goal"? You need to understand the breeder's goals to understand if the dog is likely (nothing is ever 100% sure) to be the dog you want.  This will take some time and some talking, but you are choosing a companion for the next 15 years. 1-11-2008  Jenny had her litter today.  They squirm pretty well and she wants no one near them, but we count 9. The yellow one on top is "Seven of Nine".

1-9-2008  If you are a Megabait fan, you better get to the Bargains & Closeouts page.  I have been trying to contact them for weeks now with no response.  I certainly don't need this.  My remaining stock is on sale.

Another major milestone today.  The paint booth is installed and actually working.  I know too many guys who have died at least in part from painting spoons.  Some things are just better done right.

I do have to comment that the you-know-what that wrote the instructions never put one of these together.  Quality means the WHOLE job.

Well, it is 12:32 am, actually painting spoons will wait for tomorrow.