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Post by CF Av8or on Jan 7, 2019 23:13:15 GMT -4
Fellow RC Flyers,
It is that time of the year again for the annual Porters Lake Ice Fly.
The event was unfortunately a no-go last year due to lack of suitable weather and/or ice conditions on a weekend day. I am hoping for better luck this year, particularly as this may well be the last for the event due the upcoming move to our new house.
So, as in past years, the date is not set in advance, but instead determined a few days prior, based on a forecast for good flying conditions (usable ice surface and moderate winds). The waiting period officially starts today, as the ice is currently plenty thick, thanks to the early and cold start to our winter this year.
For those who have not attended this event previously, it takes place at my East Lawrencetown home on the shore of Porters Lake, which provides a 15 mile long, 1 mile wide open flying field. Everything from small electrics to giant-scale gassers can be accommodated. A lunch (of chili, I believe) will be provided to all participants. Warm refuge is readily available inside the house should you need a break from the cold. Specific details will follow once a date for the event is determined.
Mary and I look forward to hosting you all again this year. Here's hoping for a little luck with the weather in the next few weekends!
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Post by scooterboy on Jan 8, 2019 9:33:08 GMT -4
Sounds like a good time! The ice is plenty thick this year, which is unusual considering the history of last few years. I'm looking forward to it. Kevin Baker aka Scooterboy
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Post by krmckay "Bombs away" on Jan 8, 2019 13:54:54 GMT -4
I wonder if my trainer dropped water balloons from my bomb drop if they would freeze before hitting the ice?
Kevin McKay AKA "Bombs away Kevin"
Let the mayhem begin.
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Post by coyote on Jan 9, 2019 15:50:44 GMT -4
"Plenty thick?" What about after today's downfall?
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Post by krmckay "Bombs away" on Jan 9, 2019 15:56:43 GMT -4
Don't worry Marc, Weather forecast is back to minus double digits by the weekend.
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Post by CF Av8or on Jan 10, 2019 14:34:09 GMT -4
The ice is perfect right now except for one problem - there is a one to two foot wide strip of open water right along the shore due to the rain-water run-off.
If this strip freezes solid before Sunday, then we might have a chance this weekend, as the wind forecast is for light winds on Sunday.
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Post by krmckay "Bombs away" on Jan 10, 2019 18:45:07 GMT -4
Thanks for the heads up Vic....I'll have to get to cycling batteries and get everything ready if it does unfold this weekend.
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Post by CF Av8or on Jan 11, 2019 18:13:22 GMT -4
Unfortunately, it does not look promising for this weekend. Saturday will be windy and very cold. Sunday is forecast to be a tiny bit warmer, though still quite cold and still rather windy. The worst of it is that the run-off from the heavy rain on Wednesday has eroded the ice along the shore. The result is about a two foot gap of only a thin crust of ice. This is unfortunate, as the ice just beyond the shoreline is very thick and beautifully smooth.
Based on this, I will say that the waiting period continues until next weekend. Hopefully, the really cold temps forecast for the next week will fix the shoreline ice and we'll be good to go.
Please stay tuned!
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Post by Bill F on Jan 15, 2019 21:20:47 GMT -4
...picture from a couple years back, (2016 I believe..) Bill Attachments:
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Post by CF Av8or on Jan 17, 2019 14:10:49 GMT -4
Thanks for the pic, Bill!
Not looking good for this weekend again, though, unfortunately. Strong winds on Saturday, followed by a major winter storm on Sunday...sigh.
Here's hoping for the weekend after.
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Post by krmckay "Bombs away" on Jan 17, 2019 15:44:29 GMT -4
everyone keep their fingers crossed.
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Post by CF Av8or on Jan 25, 2019 16:18:00 GMT -4
Skunked again for this weekend, folks!
The rain and mild temps have flooded the lake surface and created a strip of open water a foot or more wide right along the shore in front of my place. No chance it is going to freeze enough overnight. Too bad, as Saturday looks lovely with light wind, warm temps and sunshine.
Missed it by three days! This past Wednesday would have been ideal Ice Fly conditions - perfect ice, light winds and sunshine, which even with the cold temps felt really comfortable on the lake. Oh well, what can you do.
Maybe next weekend....
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Post by CF Av8or on Jan 27, 2019 21:53:13 GMT -4
Well, it looks like I missed THE best opportunity to hold the Ice Fly today. It most certainly was perfect weather (nearly zero wind and sunny, warm temps) and good ice conditions, even at the lake edge. Unfortunately, a number of things have conspired to make it impossible to make it happen this weekend.
The first was the tremendous amount of work that Mary and I have had to do to complete the last of the requirements for occupancy approval at our new house, plus the last minute discovery of a renter for our old home on Crowell Rd. We have to completely empty the old house of 33 years of accumulation and fully clean it before the middle of February. As such, the house is currently still a certified disaster zone.
The second is that my 4-day long bout with a nasty cold or flu just started to break last night, and although I have had to continue work on the move in spite of this, I was in no condition to prepare for and host an event. Not to mention not wanting to infect anyone else.
The third is the poor forecasting for Sunday which initially had the wind expected to be strong, plus the fact that on Friday there was open water at the edge of the lake. This ultimately closed up by Sunday, but to be on the safe side, I would need to place a ramp to bridge the first couple of feet out to thick ice. Quite doable, but given the first two points, was beyond my capacity this weekend.
Anyway, I felt that I needed to apologize and explain how I missed such a great day for the Ice Fly, especially as there are only the next two weekends for me to potentially hold it, as I will be out of town for a month after that.
I hope everyone had a good day of flying indoors and enjoyed the nice winter reprieve. I should be in a better position to hold the Ice Fly next weekend (or the one following), if the conditions permit. If not, well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be again this year...
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Post by scooterboy on Jan 28, 2019 20:05:31 GMT -4
Vic; The weather did turn out stellar on Sunday, and continued to hold out after indoor was over. It is enough that you & Mary kindly host this event in the first place. It being extremely tricky to forecast the weather in Nova Scotia, the fact that you weren't feeling great, along with all of the other commitments you are juggling; it is completely understandable that you would postpone the event. Just remember that if you would like a hand with anything, I am quite willing to assist. Scooterboy
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Post by CF Av8or on Feb 1, 2019 20:08:02 GMT -4
Skunked again this weekend it would appear. Snow tomorrow and high winds both Saturday and Sunday. Probably just as well for Mary and I, as we still have lots of work to do on the old house.
Next weekend will be the last chance for us to host the event, unfortunately. Let's see what the weather gods bring us...
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Post by CF Av8or on Feb 8, 2019 11:45:55 GMT -4
Well, this weekend was our last chance to hold the Porters Lake Ice Fly this year, and....a shut-down by the weather, unfortunately.
Winds all weekend are forecast to be 35 to 40 kts. Add that to the cold temperatures, and we'll all be staying safely indoors.
Sorry folks, I tried, but weather, ice conditions, and other personal responsibilities conspired against a suitable weekend date for the event. I'd like to say we'll try again next year, but I likely (hopefully) won't have the house on Porters Lake by then.
I hope to see you indoors at Shearwater, at the Valley Gathering in March, or on the field this summer.
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