Oaf Summer Float N Boat

[ColdWaterFshr]

Thats a bummer, joeD. I hate to read stuff like that. I tell you - the more I go, especially in the summertime, the more strange and seedy looking vandalous/thief/meth-head type folks I see. You're taking a chance leaving a vehicle unattended for any length of time these days. I would never leave any valuables in my car.

And you see funny stuff too. Just a few weeks ago down on the Big River, saw this wooly looking gal that had no business wearing a bikini, bust up a bag of ice for her beer cooler . . . not by dropping it on the ground a few times, but by swinging it several times as hard as she could into the side of her Blazer's passenger door.

[eric1978]

That sucks Joe. They got me in January. Such a PITA.

[Mitch f]

I am sorry to say that my attendance at the inaugural OAF Float N Boat is in grave danger ( "Is there any other kind?" - Col. Nathan Jessup ). A relative's retirement party and my son's re-scheduled knee surgery (LAX injury) have conspired against me in a perfect storm of obstacles to thwart my fishing plans. Also, and a kick in the teeth, my van was vandalized yesterday at the Delcour slab "parking" area (on the upper Meramec) while two friends and my friend's son and I floated (from Short Bend). My passenger window was smashed, my wallet and cell phone taken, my friends two cell phones taken (work phones, he owns his business), overnight bags with clothes, etc. Generally, an unpleasant way to end a trip. I can't say Mrs. joeD is very happy with me and my choice of fishing locations either. Regardless, my status as an attendee is now a "probably not."

You are the second report of creepy characters hanging out at MDC accesses this week!

Time to set up a game cam or something

[Al Agnew]

Hey, Mitch, I can make my own reservations, but it might be nice for you to talk to the campground people and see if we can't get everybody put in the same area, even if everybody makes their own reservations.

So far I've been lucky on the crime front. Haven't had a serious incident since back in the 1980s, when I left my old Blazer at a well known party spot on Big River while doing a Saturday night float. Got down there about 1 AM to find a party in full swing and my vehicle nowhere in sight. I finally spied it a quarter mile up the gravel road in the moonlight. Walked up there and found it was in the ditch, with the big side window broken out. (My dad had left it there after shuttling me, locked but with the keys in the ignition--he maybe should have put them under the floor mat.)

Other than the broken window, the thieves had taken out a built in stereo cassette player that hadn't worked for about 10 years...and left the ten dollar bill that was sitting in the cup holder between the seats, which was probably more than the stereo was worth.

I hiked back down to the party, walked up to a huge guy sitting on the tailgate of a big 4WD pickup that looked capable of pulling me out of the ditch--with a huge cooler of beer beside him--and asked him if he'd help me. He did, although he could barely keep the truck between the ditches himself. So the only cost to me was to replace the window...which turned out to be pretty expensive.

But it's beginning to look like we're going to have to depend upon canoe rental people for shuttles a lot more so they can store vehicles on their property most of the day...and I'm beginning to think about getting an old beater vehicle to use for float trips, one so bad looking it won't be too much temptation.

[flytyer57]

But it's beginning to look like we're going to have to depend upon canoe rental people for shuttles a lot more so they can store vehicles on their property most of the day...

Hmmmmm...

I wonder now, just who is behind all the thefts at the launches?

Pay someone to watch your vehicle or have it broken into.

Just kidding of course. I hope.

And the best thing to avoid any break-ins, is to keep anything of value out of sight. Take your cell phone, wallet, etc. with you. Keep them in a waterproof container while you fish.

Have a spare key made so you don't have to leave your keys in the car. I carry my keys on a leash while fishing. I don't have one of them fancy schmancy electronic keys so if they get wet, so what. Then again, you could keep them in the same waterproof holder as your cell phone and wallet.

[Mitch f]

Hey, Mitch, I can make my own reservations, but it might be nice for you to talk to the campground people and see if we can't get everybody put in the same area, even if everybody makes their own reservations.

So far I've been lucky on the crime front. Haven't had a serious incident since back in the 1980s, when I left my old Blazer at a well known party spot on Big River while doing a Saturday night float. Got down there about 1 AM to find a party in full swing and my vehicle nowhere in sight. I finally spied it a quarter mile up the gravel road in the moonlight. Walked up there and found it was in the ditch, with the big side window broken out. (My dad had left it there after shuttling me, locked but with the keys in the ignition--he maybe should have put them under the floor mat.)

Other than the broken window, the thieves had taken out a built in stereo cassette player that hadn't worked for about 10 years...and left the ten dollar bill that was sitting in the cup holder between the seats, which was probably more than the stereo was worth.

I hiked back down to the party, walked up to a huge guy sitting on the tailgate of a big 4WD pickup that looked capable of pulling me out of the ditch--with a huge cooler of beer beside him--and asked him if he'd help me. He did, although he could barely keep the truck between the ditches himself. So the only cost to me was to replace the window...which turned out to be pretty expensive.

But it's beginning to look like we're going to have to depend upon canoe rental people for shuttles a lot more so they can store vehicles on their property most of the day...and I'm beginning to think about getting an old beater vehicle to use for float trips, one so bad looking it won't be too much temptation.

Al,

We currently have campsites A4 and A5 booked for Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night, we should be able to put several tents there. Unless someone is coming with electricity needs for a camper, we are good to go. Just tell him you are in one of those 2 sites under my name, or the Ozark Anglers Forum.

[joeD]

Al, I would consider what I drive close to a beater. A 97 Grand Caravan, with a split in the front bumper, roll-down windows, spotty FM, no AM reception, no rear seat, part of the alphabet scratched into the rear quarter panel, engine noise deluxe (lifters I think), and mysterious stains all over. It still cost money to replace my window (and license and phone and..). It wasn't the make or model of my car, and there was nothing of value visible through the front windows. It was just there. It was a crime of opportunity and low intelligence.

[Flysmallie]

This is for all you Pabst drinkers out there.

I think we need to start requiring an IQ test. Some just aren't smart enough to be able to post.

[Trout Commander]

This is for all you Pabst drinkers out there.

Lightweight needs to stick to his bud light with the rest of the sissy men.

[flytyer57]

I think we need to start requiring an IQ test. Some just aren't smart enough to be able to post.

I never said dumb people would like it.

Or understand it.