Memorial Day @ Tr

[rps]

I have fished parts of Memorial Day the last several years - usually from can't see until skidoo. After I come in, I often hang around the ramp and drink cold soda while laughing at the ramp antics of the twice a year crowd.

This year promises to be different. First, I can't predict how much the high water will affect the travel to the lake crowd. Same number but fewer places to launch and park? Smaller number but still too many for the available ramps and parking? Everyone stays home and the fishermen can stay out?

I can say this. I will be there Saturday morning to watch the madness. Can you imagine the fun when, in an attempt to launch Miss Behavin II on a shallow ramp, he or she backs the Hummer clear out in the lake? What will we see when Herman arrives with family and 'toon boat and finds all spaces are full and two doofus' have made up parking spaces in the approach to the ramp?

I can hardly wait. Do you think they will let me sell tickets and popcorn?

[motoman]

RPS......That's fantastic! The antics at the ramp are usually entertainment enough, but you brought up a good point. The twice a year crowd, AND high water/limited parking. That will be entertainment GOLD!

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If you could sell tickets and popcorn, you'll be a millionaire!

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Please be sure and bring a digital camera with you at the ramp. You've gotta share some of the great action with those of us who won't be able to share a good laugh with yah!

[Whack'emGood]

I have a story that I would pay to see. A friend of mine, who I trust, told me this story one time... and swears that its true. This happened about 5 years ago. My friend and his wife were launching their bass rig somewhere on TR (I can't remember at which ramp) when a guy in one of those big "ride around with no apparent purpose" (thats what I call them anyway) boats came idling into the dock. He was telling my friends and a couple of other guys on the dock that he had just bought this boat and there was something wrong with it. He claimed that it would not get up to speed or on plane and said it was bogging down on him. He said this was his first boat and asked if they could help him figure out what was wrong with it. Get this........ are you sitting down?......... The trailer was still attached to the bottom of the boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend, who I trust very much, told me this story. Even though it sounds hard to believe... I believe it 100%.

I will be out of town on Memorial Day... Y'all are going to have to fill me in on the forum if I miss anything even half that good.

[Paola Cat]

Sounds like fun ... I've actually done this. Set-up the lawn chair at the boat ramp and watch the carnage. Boats running into boats, boats running into docks, people falling out of boats, trailers jack-knifed on the ramp, boats falling off of trailers, vehicles submerged, couples screaming at each other, maybe some fisticuffs. Man that sounds like a good time. Miss Behavin' II ... now that's funny. PC

[Danoinark]

Years ago we used to set at Gray Rock on the Buffalo and watch all of the drunks trying to get their aluminum canoes navigated around the rock...funny stuff....Dano

[Paola Cat]

Dano ... that brings back the memories. We used to collect the canned beverages as they floated down the river. (2) beverages for us per every (1) that was returned to the "flippers". We had several good days on the river .... getting our limit in the first couple of hours. PC

[Don House]

Man that is good, tell me what ramp you will be at I would love to drink a cold one and watch that.. I have stories just like some of those we could go on for days... But your are right it will be a wild day Saturday and Sunday, I just can't wait to see all of the out of towner's trying to get to there boat docks!! That should be a hoot also!!

Well lets us know what you see it would be a great form post!!

Good Fishing

Capt. Don House

[Spinnaker]

I am new to this forum but have fished TR for several years since I got my fishing boat. I stay on the Lake in Hollister and plan an annual trip every Memorial Day weekend. I know what you are talking about with respect to the boat traffic so I get up early to fish, and tag along with the lady to shop and eat for the rest of the day until sun down. I usually launch at a public area near Dale Road, east of Rockview resort and then motor over to their dock for the weekend. I heard that the small parking lot is under water and launching is not possible there. I called the park Marina and they said that there was no problem with launching there. Any advice? I would rather avoid being the entertainment during launching. Thanks.

[rps]

kcangler:

Anyone with the sense to find and read this forum is, by definition, not part of the entertainment.

I am an upper end type - Holiday Island. I can only tell about the two ramps open up here, Holiday Island and Eagle Rock SP. Both can be used but are flat because of the water height. Eagle Rock has parking for maybe ten or twelve rigs. Holiday Island has parking about 100 yards from the ramp for 30 or 40 rigs. Assuming the ramps at the other end of the lake are in similar circumstances, my advice would be to come a little early and put in Friday and motor to the marina before the entertainment arrives.

Another thought would be to fish Taney for a change.

Another thought would be to not tow the boat and use the gas savings to hire Bill, Don, or Eric.

Regardless of what you decide, I hope you have a fabulous trip.

[zander]

And of course it happens to some of the best of us as well. I found these of Bill Dance on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cc6koI0fDo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUeT3q0nG8M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAHYR5DnZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YLvVP9ZPP4

Enjoy!