Thanks Bill!

[FRENZEL]

It all has to do with Big Cedars agreement with the Corps. I imagine the public marinas would do everything they could to cut in on one of the larger marinas $$ if they would have half the chance.

The government doesnt often see in shades of grey.

[Phil Lilley]

Heck- I would have given them a couple gallons of gas if it meant not running out of gas on the lake under those conditions. Either that or lend them a car so that they could run up the hill to the gas station.

[Ham]

Bill certainly went above and beyond.

[Bill Babler]

We have all gotten caught in situations, that just seemed to grab us by the -----. Most of them were our fault. We as grown men and women need to take responsibility for our own actions. Those kind of mistakes in Alaska, get you dead and real dead in a hurry. On the other hand, these guys had a plan. They planned to fish the Dam area and get fuel at Big Cedar. They had no idea a Marina on this lake could or "Would not" sell or give them some gas to get back to the ramp. Wish they would have said something to me. I didn't know that was what they were thinking, or I would have told them, it was not possible.

Gages, State Park, and Cricket have limited open hours in this, still being the off season. It was a real tough situation. These are very nice guys, that just wanted to go fishing. If we were not from here, most all of us could have made the same mistake.

Now, on to Big Cedar. I do not know the context that the plea, that was presented to the dock staff, but you had better bet your last dollar that it had not have been desperation, or someone's butt should be in serious trouble. With winds at 35 mph and gusts higher, someone should have taken these young men seriously and helped them. I could give a flying heck about Corp Regulations, you don't turn down a plea for help in that kind of weather, at this time of the season, when you know nothing else is open. Again, I don't know how it was presented to the dock staff.

I will tell you now, this could have gotten really ugly. Thank God it did not. They were smart enough to get in a lee-cove out of the wind and call us. We were fishing at Baxter. We immedatly ran back to Aunts and put the boat on the trailer and headed for 86 to re-launch and take them the fuel.

All's well that ends well and this had a great ending with two swell young men a whole lot wiser than they were yesterday.

God Bless, You All.

[wdberkley]

We have all gotten caught in situations, that just seemed to grab us by the -----. Most of them were our fault. We as grown men and women need to take responsibility for our own actions. Those kind of mistakes in Alaska, get you dead and real dead in a hurry. On the other hand, these guys had a plan. They planned to fish the Dam area and get fuel at Big Cedar. They had no idea a Marina on this lake could or "Would not" sell or give them some gas to get back to the ramp. Wish they would have said something to me. I didn't know that was what they were thinking, or I would have told them, it was not possible.

Gages, State Park, and Cricket have limited open hours in this, still being the off season. It was a real tough situation. These are very nice guys, that just wanted to go fishing. If we were not from here, most all of us could have made the same mistake.

Now, on to Big Cedar. I do not know the context that the plea, that was presented to the dock staff, but you had better bet your last dollar that it had not have been desperation, or someone's butt should be in serious trouble. With winds at 35 mph and gusts higher, someone should have taken these young men seriously and helped them. I could give a flying heck about Corp Regulations, you don't turn down a plea for help in that kind of weather, at this time of the season, when you know nothing else is open. Again, I don't know how it was presented to the dock staff.

I will tell you now, this could have gotten really ugly. Thank God it did not. They were smart enough to get in a lee-cove out of the wind and call us. We were fishing at Baxter. We immedatly ran back to Aunts and put the boat on the trailer and headed for 86 to re-launch and take them the fuel.

All's well that ends well and this had a great ending with two swell young men a whole lot wiser than they were yesterday.

God Bless, You All.

I wish it was only a plead at the dock. We were tied up and I went in to talk to them. They weren't hearing me or the $100 billS I was waving around as I told them we couldn't make it far without fuel and had made it a point to come to them for that very reason. In hind sight I could have and should have stayed tied off right there and made the call before everything went to hell on us. Had we bit the bullet and made the run back up to Indian Point, we woulda made 'er for sure, but instead the feller @ Big Cedar sent us to Long Creek Marina, and we know how this story ends.

If anything, this should be a lesson to those traveling from points near and far to fish the Rock. Maps and Planning will only get you so far - just because a map shows fuel at 4 places near where you're fishing that day doesn't mean you can get it. Common sense prevails. Having good people around to save your butt when you get in a bind helps too.

Thanks again Bill

[glennL]

I wish it was only a plead at the dock. We were tied up and I went in to talk to them. They weren't hearing me or the $100 billS I was waving around as I told them we couldn't make it far without fuel and had made it a point to come to them for that very reason. In hind sight I could have and should have stayed tied off right there and made the call before everything went to hell on us. Had we bit the bullet and made the run back up to Indian Point, we woulda made 'er for sure, but instead the feller @ Big Cedar sent us to Long Creek Marina, and we know how this story ends.

Great ending. But the real question should be. Did they catch any fish and what were they using?

If anything, this should be a lesson to those traveling from points near and far to fish the Rock. Maps and Planning will only get you so far - just because a map shows fuel at 4 places near where you're fishing that day doesn't mean you can get it. Common sense prevails. Having good people around to save your butt when you get in a bind helps too.

Thanks again Bill

[Chris King]

I have also run into the Big Cedar/no gas problem. They say they will give you 5 gallons of gas in an "emergency". The first time I went there, I too didn't know they were a "private" marina, they did in fact sell me 5 gallons of gas though after begging. They won't even sell you a drink of water in the store unless you're staying there. I assume it's all red tape as they surely would want to sell as much as they could (one would think).

I also keep a SeaTow membership on our boats which covers running out of gas or most other mechanical problems. I believe they have a base out of State Park and Cape Fair. It's a cheap insurance policy and covers boats you own, any boat you drive, and roadside assistance anytime you trailer a boat.

[Don House]

You're right it could have got bad really fast.. Really Nice of you Bill, Good Job.. Still makes you shake your head..

Good Fishing Everyone..

Don

[glennL]

Great ending. But the real question should be. Did they catch any fish and what were they using?