Thanks Bill!

[wdberkley]

Launched this morning @ Indian Point. Caught fish early on Warts & Jigs. Moved South, picked up a nice Smallie on a tube. Looked @ the gas gauge, noticed we were under 1/4 tank, and headed toward Big Cedar. Unbeknownst to me, they only see fuel and ALL PROVISIONS to paying guests. After making a legit plead and getting shot down, we tried Long Creek Marina, only to find it closed. Same with the State Park. Tried to motor back to Indian Point, but ran out of gas near the Dam. Used the Troller to get to get over to the western shore and make an emergency SOS to our other group who was out with Bill Babler. Within the hour that White Champion blazed up with 5 gallons and saved the day.

To anyone ever considering a day out with a guide, Mr. Babler will not only put you on fish - group #2 had a good day - but he is a 100% Class Act.

Bill, I cannot thank you enough for bailing our butt out today. We made a costly mistake that could have ended BAD.

William Berkley

[dscott]

Launched this morning @ Indian Point. Caught fish early on Warts & Jigs. Moved South, picked up a nice Smallie on a tube. Looked @ the gas gauge, noticed we were under 1/4 tank, and headed toward Big Cedar. Unbeknownst to me, they only see fuel and ALL PROVISIONS to paying guests. After making a legit plead and getting shot down, we tried Long Creek Marina, only to find it closed. Same with the State Park. Tried to motor back to Indian Point, but ran out of gas near the Dam. Used the Troller to get to get over to the western shore and make an emergency SOS to our other group who was out with Bill Babler. Within the hour that White Champion blazed up with 5 gallons and saved the day.

To anyone ever considering a day out with a guide, Mr. Babler will not only put you on fish - group #2 had a good day - but he is a 100% Class Act.

Bill, I cannot thank you enough for bailing our butt out today. We made a costly mistake that could have ended BAD.

William Berkley

Good job on helping someone in need Mr. Babler, my hats off to ya. Shame on big cedar!! what a crock. This makes me mad enough to not spend a dime with them ever. Even if they are Jonny Morris affiliated. What a darn shame!!!

[wdberkley]

Good job on helping someone in need Mr. Babler, my hats off to ya. Shame on big cedar!! what a crock. This makes me mad enough to not spend a dime with them ever. Even if they are Jonny Morris affiliated. What a darn shame!!!

If I had a pair of sharp scissors my BPS Visa would be in pieces right this minute. Considering the $$$ I've spent there they just lost a great customer....

[gitnby]

Don't blame Big Cedar!

Blame the Corps and guys like Swanson who own the public marinas!

That's the deal they cut.

Private Marinas at resorts are not allowed to sell gas to the public.

Some will in an emergency, but I had it happen to me back at Sleepy Hollow Resort many years ago.

They are also not supposed to rent watercraft to anyone other than resort guests.

Been that way for years!

[Phil Lilley]

What if....

A marina on a lake like Table Rock didn't sell gas to a boater and the boater ran out of gas on a big lake, wind was up and white caps swamped the boat and people died.... it could have happened yesterday. Bill said the white caps were rolling on the lake and there wasn't anyone around to help them.

If there's no provision for emergency cases such as this one now, there will be in the future if it causes someone to drown... because of (shall I dare to use the word...) gov't red tape.

[Trav]

Most our lakes are within an hours walk of a home. Ditch your boat and take care of yourself. duh........

[RSBreth]

It's a long walk back to Illinois...

But seriously - good for Bill, I bet the lake was rocking and rolling from the wind - not a good day to run dry. Glad everything turned out O.K. - I sure don't want to have to see that "fisherman drowns" story again.

[dtrs5kprs]

What if....

A marina on a lake like Table Rock didn't sell gas to a boater and the boater ran out of gas on a big lake, wind was up and white caps swamped the boat and people died.... it could have happened yesterday. Bill said the white caps were rolling on the lake and there wasn't anyone around to help them.

If there's no provision for emergency cases such as this one now, there will be in the future if it causes someone to drown... because of (shall I dare to use the word...) gov't red tape.

It is hard to imagine anyone running afoul of a regulation like that for providing what is clearly an emergency supply of gasoline, not just filling up a jet ski on a sunny day, which is what it would seem a deal like that is designed to prevent. But then it is the government.

Smacks of the "good samaritan" situations when providing CPR or other first aid.

[johnboy2bfishin]

Bill is a class act, never have met the man personally but with what he gives to this sport of fishing and to us not so fortunate to be on the water everyday, the info, the bait to use, the type of structure to fish, unbelievable. most fisherman that i know would't give you the time of day.

THANKS BILL!!!!

[techo]

If it is an emergency then an affirmable defense to break the law. As an example........lets say two guys are out hunting and one guy does not drink but the other tends to partake. If the non-drinker was to become injured (in the court case was shot) so that he needed emergency medical help it would be an affirmable defense for the person who had been drinking to drive drunk as he was taking his friend to the hospital. He could be arrested for DWI (and was) but the court case would be dismissed as he was serving a greater good.

With that in mind......they could have offered you enough free gas to get back to the ramp and not sold it to you. They could have offered you a ride to your truck and trailer and let you take the boat out. I wasn't there BUT it seems like there were a lot of other options than just saying no.