Fellows Lake Marina

[Butthead]

What a jerk. All you were doing was fishing in a marked handicap zone and then some guy who has the responsibility to enforce the rules had the audacity to yell at you to leave, Since when does "Keep Out" apply to you?. Rather than yell out to you to get your attention, he could have sent flowers and a respectful note. No wonder you got on the "defense" who is anyone to tell you what you can do. Then for him to get mad while you continue to fish as you are leaving is just plain rude. Not to go back to the lake should teach him a lesson and I for one will sure miss having you out there.

[Dougie]

What a jerk. All you were doing was fishing in a marked handicap zone and then some guy who has the responsibility to enforce the rules had the audacity to yell at you to leave, Since when does "Keep Out" apply to you?. Rather than yell out to you to get your attention, he could have sent flowers and a respectful note. No wonder you got on the "defense" who is anyone to tell you what you can do. Then for him to get mad while you continue to fish as you are leaving is just plain rude. Not to go back to the lake should teach him a lesson and I for one will sure miss having you out there.

My experience happened last fall, it was my first trip ever to Fellows Lake and I chose not to share my story about last fall but when the original poster shared I thought I would share my experience with him. On that fall day I didn't set out to break any rules or to cause any commotion. I had made an honest mistake. After being scolded and demeaned by a man equal my age I then realized that it was indeed marked...the buoys are worn and are very hard to read and I don't believe it was marked handicapped fishing area or anything of the sorts. If this has become a problem for this "some guy who has the responsibility to enforce the rules" then maybe he should label/mark it better so patrons could see and understand the rules of the lake. I'm not saying my actions where right and if I break any rules that don't adhere to the set guidelines then I should be informed but it could have been handled in a professional manner. For you to reply here with your sarcasm and your stay away from the lake attitude is right in line with the marina operators attitude, its ugly, nonconstructive and unappreciated.

[Kevin Vam Dan]

Hey Butthead,

I understand your sarcasm, but I think these other guys are right on. I have fished at Fellows for years. I know the cove the original poster is talking about, but I had no idea, until this thread, that it was a handicap only fishing cove. I know the buoys too. They are very near no wake buoys and could easily be mistaken if you didn't pay attention. As for the marina owner, he is a complete...well...butt head. The guy is a first class jerk. I haven't been there yet this year, but I will dread my first (and every) encounter with him. If you're not listening to him berate or belittle someone, you are listening to him tell one B.S. story after another. He makes me sick. Especially the way he treats people. I'm surprised anybody patronizes his marina. As for the lady that works out there...that I believe is his wife...she is as nice as can be.

Kevin

[Richline2258]

Hey butthead, last time I checked the marina is on a lease and is owned by city utililities. My point is that some people have no courtesy or tact and obviously no people skills. I've fished up there since I was a little boy and will continue to do so as long a s I feel like it. I won't be harassed or berated or feel intimitaded by people like that punk or like yourself. I was looking forward to spending a little time up there quietly fishing and relaxing on Saturday and that experience ruined it for me. I deal with people all day everyday that patronize the business I work for and right or wrong I would never speak to them the way he did to me. Someday he'll say something to the wrong guy that doesn't give a s@#$ and he'll put him in the hospital. As for me I won't waste my time on trashy ignorant people.

[hknfsh]

Right on rich line. Like you....fishing is my one passionate "therapy". It is what I do every weekend and I look forward to being somewhere on some body of water to enjoy a day away from work and relax in my own little world. But I must agree completely with you and the others.....with the exception of that lame-butt Butthead....that an unprovoked verbal confrontation with someone out of nowhere over such a minor issue would be most unsettling. Pretty sure I would have had to really restrain myself so kudos to you for moving on and persuing a more mature course of action such as with MDC and CU. I am going to inquire myself this week and will post what I find out. Seems like one can't go anywhere anymore to find a place of their own for the day without some smartass punk to ruin the experience. Shame on those that do !

[Butthead]

Okay boys, I'll admit that I was a little too sarcastic, maybe not to the point of being "lame-butt", but so be it. I didn't see an issue with Richline2258 accidentally straying into a restricted area, we all make honest mistakes. To me it just seemed like Richline's response was as belligerent as the marina guy. Seems like a better response would have been "Whoops, I didn't see the buoy, I'm on my way out." and there is nothing wrong with asking "How come is this area restricted?" What seemed wrong was to continue fishing after he had been made aware of the restriction and at this point he couldn't say he didn't know of the rules. I suspect that if he hadn't made the cast the two of them would not have gotten into the cussing match. Not to provide an excuse for rude behavior, but it might be that Richline was the tenth guy this week that had strayed into the restricted area and the marina guy was getting a little frustrated - don't know, wasn't there. Sorry again Richline, wasn't trying to "harass, berate, or intimidate" you, just looking at the possibility that maybe some of the confrontation was escalated by your own behavior.

[Rogersvillefisherman]

I agree with butthead the guy told you no fishing so you fish your way out. The guy at the marina could have been more polite but if you had to run as many people out of that cove as he does it would start to make you mad to. That area is for people less fortunate than us that can't use a boat and fish the whole lake.

[Muskie Bob]

At least this discuss should help make the handicap aware of the cove and how it can be accessed for their own private fishing. I wonder how easy it is for handicap to access the area. Of course, the Conservation Department will need to update their maps, as I guess they didn't know anything about the area and its restricted usage. Makes me wonder how many other private handicap only coves there are in Missouri lakes where there is one buoy to identify the area as handicap only.

It is a little frustrating just trying to understand what makes this a handicap cove when it isn't marked on a map and listed as such. Oh, I know....there is one old buoy that is hard to read that says something about handicap....duh....

[Kevin Vam Dan]

I completely agree with you, Muskie Bob. As I stated in an earlier post, this is the first I'd heard of that being handicap only. I don't mean to be insensitive, but why is it handicap only??? There is nothing special about the cove in terms of accessibility. It is no different than numerous other places to fish around the lake. And there is a handicap accessible dock on one end. And as many times as I have fished the lake, I can't say I have ever seen a "handicap" person fishing in the cove. I guess it just frustrating with all the restrictions that are already in place at Fellows. Heck, a good chunk of the lake is already blocked off from fishing for Lord only knows what reason.

And Butthead, I see your point about continuing to fish out of the cove. I think I tend to empathize more with Richline just because of past experiences with the marina owner. And from reading this post, it seems most other posters have the same sentiments toward him. It goes to show that he is the problem.

[hknfsh]

Kevin....I'm assuming you are referring to the marina owner as the problem ? And as far as richline not turning tail and getting out of the area NOW.....well.....pretty sure some of us wouldn't either after being hollared at with F-bombs. No one should feel intimidated by such behavior from a "tired of it" individual. This is just another example of the kind of intolerance and lack of respect some people show towards others. Rich line made an honest mistake with no intentional malice and this is what he got in return.....berated...disrespected....challenged....whatever you want to call it. Something needs to be done to prevent a similar incident from happening again..... whether it be signage or roping off the area.