New limit regs/Boating etiquette

[knuck]

Hey Phil, Many of us coming down for the Boswell tournament are starting to talk the talk,and getting fired up about the upcoming event. Something on everyones mind is the new limit reg and how it might affect our weigh-in limits. Also would like to get youre thoughts and any other regulars ideas about boat traffic between Fall creek and youre place on busy weekends, it reminds me of a few of our St. Louis highways at rush hour. It seems no matter how a boater tries to navigate up there(stay on plane/drop off plane etc.)they are going to get eyeballed are maybe have a few choice words thrown their way. Been this way a long time Im just curious what other boaters think about.

[loo10]

How 'bout we outlaw tournaments?

That way everyone won't be in such a hurry.

I don't dislike tournaments for what they do to the fish...

but what they do to the fishermen.

In case you haven't noticed...

the more tournaments that are organized on Taney;

the worse the problem gets.

[Wayne SW/MO]

knuck, stay on plane, besides you'll move fast them too fast for a salute.

Really the best thing anyone can do is pass as far away as possible on a plane.

[Phil Lilley]

Sorry- I have to defend tourneys. Been doing them for 20 years now. There are 5-6 Saturdays a year that have them... most only have 20 or less boats.

Days of the year when there's boaters speeding - many more- try 49 weekends and 150 weekdays. You don't have to be a tourney to be in a hurry- or ignorant.

Rule of thumb - if you don't know what to do- idle speed! That means no wake and stay clear of someone's line when possible.

If you stay on plane thru boats, you will be ticketed if there's a Water Patrolman is sight.

If I can stay more than 70 feet from a boat, I'll keep it on plane. I honestly don't know what the law is... I don't see a patrolman enough to know the answer to that.

I lecture guys before every tournament- at the pre-tourney meetings- I tell them to be nice... I tell them that tournaments have been given a bad rap and for good reason- they have in the past buzz people, swamp boats and cut lines. And I tell them- if it happens and I hear about it, I'll cancel the tournament and I will.

I request the MO Water Patrol be at every one of our take-offs and weigh-ins... they might make one in a year- might. I have to register with them for every tourney so they know I'm having them and when.

I wish they were on Taney esp on winter weekends. They'd write a bunch of tickets.

As for Boswell - I think you're up to 12-14 teams, I think.

[NJ John]

Hey Phil, Many of us coming down for the Boswell tournament are starting to talk the talk,and getting fired up about the upcoming event. Something on everyones mind is the new limit reg and how it might affect our weigh-in limits. Also would like to get youre thoughts and any other regulars ideas about boat traffic between Fall creek and youre place on busy weekends, it reminds me of a few of our St. Louis highways at rush hour. It seems no matter how a boater tries to navigate up there(stay on plane/drop off plane etc.)they are going to get eyeballed are maybe have a few choice words thrown their way. Been this way a long time Im just curious what other boaters think about.

Trying to stay in the channel at lower water conditions with boats floating the edge is sometimes frustrating. The best advice is slow down and say HOWDY as you go by.

[tippet7]

It would be great if a certain guide(no names mentioned) would stop blowing past fishermen while they are WADING! Several times I have been down below the boat ramp where it narrows out and one certain guide has to go as fast as possible through a very narrow area.

Even my brother who has only fished on Taneycomo for 3 days in his life has mentioned to me that this guide blew past him 2 times!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Tournaments should be judged by their affect on the resource, not by their affect on fishermen, because they are one and the same.

During Spring Crappie time TR looks like one big tournament, but one can't expect others quit in order to give them space.

[loo10]

That said....

I don't think tournaments help the fishermen

OR the resource.

Just my opinion...maybe I'm alone in it.

[Phil Lilley]

You're not... I catch a good bit of grief because of them.

I'd make people mad if I quit doing them... and mad if I keep them so I'll keep them.

You know, even if the tournaments all go away tomorrow, the same number of boats will be buzzing the same number of boats and the same number of trout will be caught. My opinion... and may I'm alone on it too.

And yes- there are guides who go too fast. I suggest you get their boat registration number and report them to the water patrol. One thing they do right is follow up on complaints, especially on local matters pertaining to local guides.

[loo10]

Sometimes, though, you don't know what to do.

On plane, very little wake.

Off plane...a lot of waves.

How 'bout this one...

You're idling up past Fall Creek...

waders are out as far as they can go...

boats are anchored right in the channel.

Where in the heck am I to head my boat?????

Guess I'll have to get me a "Branson Duck"

and go right up on the bank.