Definitely weird weather.   You can’t really tell in the photo,  but the river -is- frozen over,  but there’s hardly a spec of snow to be seen anywhere.   The low last night was 28 degrees and the high today 36 degrees.   And,  they say it’s going to warm up tomorrow.

With the temperature last night bottoming out at 15 degrees,  in the house  isn’t really that bad of a place to be.  Hoping to be back in the saddle for New Years Eve!

I haven’t heard back from Scott at the gunshop yet,  so no report on the Benelli yet.   I did take my Dad’s old Savage 16 gauge auto out to the range the other day though.   24 out of 25 DUSTED!  

The Walleye trip,  was anther good day on the water,  but less than a perfect fishing trip.  We fished the water south of Little Charity for about 4 hours,  10 to 19 feet of water.  This  brought us 1 keeper, a  nice 24 incher,  a 14 inch throwback,  and a big Sheepshead.  (Drum)   We know their out there,  a few people are finding them,   but so far luck hasn’t been on our side.   It was about 8 or 9 miles out to the fishing grounds,  and the boat ran great.   35oo rpms were getting me 32 miles per hour.  I think the new bottom coat is helping.     On the way back into the river,  we whacked something like a submerged log with the prop,   but after checking it,  there doesn’t seem to be any damage.   The river has been pretty much loaded with crap like that ever since they dredged the feeders last spring,   lots of mud and lots of floating and partially floating pieces of wood.  Hopefully it will get back to normal next year.

After sending it back to Benelli and waiting weeks for it to be repaired,  it came back with the same problem.     I called Benelli again,  and they said to send it in again………,     I balked at this idea and found Scott at Rifenbark Armory.   Scott is confident that there’s not a lot wrong with the gun,  it just needs a little tweakings,   “bending and duct tape” as he put’s it.

Anyway,  Scott now has the gun at his very nicely laid out shop,  and I should be hearing from him in about a week,  at which time,  I’ll complete this review.   That’s Rifenbark Armory,  LLC.  Gunsmithing and Firearms manufacturing.  989-879-3067 near Pinconning,  Michigan,  just off I-75.

On the tripp back from the Armory,  we came through Pinconning and stopped for lunch, at the Third Street Station,  (Deli, Bar, and Catering).   Third Street Station,  is a jewel of Pinconning.   The owners maintain the place as they would a well loved home.   It’s nicely detailed inside and out,  and the food is great.  I’d recommend the “Third Street Club” on Cibatta bread,  but the menu is quite large as noted on the above link.   They have a banquet room that is open to all customers when not in use,  that can hold quite a large group,  and an outside patio with a barbeque grill.    They offer  a fair selection of beers and wines,  (though,  no Guiness is on the menu)  :-(

Bottom line,   Third Street Station,  on M-13 in Pinconning, Michigan.  If your driving north and feel hungry, thirsty,  or just want to take a comfortable bread,  Third Street is the place for you.  989-879-1236