Common Sense ....

[Phil Lilley]

I think Bill mis spoke on the run on right and drift on right... that didn't make any sense to me.

It would be nice for everyone to drift in a line but - you can't educate everyone plus - everyone doesn't have the same skill and/or equipment to keep oneself in a proper lane.

[Bill Babler]

Run on right and bow down on right, going down just like driving a car, you drive on the right. As I mentioned to my knowledge on the collisions. Now we have one incident in 1/2 million hrs. Still a pretty good average.

[Phil Lilley]

But I drift looking up lake so it would be on my left...

[Ccox1982]

Where is Patterson on this fog discussion? The reason that Phil, before every tournament, says, "Be careful leaving the dock. Idle out and take off slowly. We are all going to get to fish today. Don't ramp over anybody else's boat."

Ah yes, Mr Patterson. Gotta watch out for that guy. If he's not farming, he's jetting up and down the river. Love that dude.

[MOPanfisher]

And then you have guys like me who by virtue of our profession are trained that the left/right bank is always referenced by facing down stream, thus the left bank is always the left bank. However I understand exactly what Bill is saying. Don't be idling or drifting down the middle when there is fog. Its been a while but I remember the fog being very volatile, seemingly solid, then loose, then gone. Also remember standing up a few times and my head would be above the fog, very disconcerting and cool all at the same time.

[m.kilbourn]

so are these rules only for foggy or busy conditions or do you follow this pattern in good weather

[Phil Lilley]

I gotta tell ya - I'm drifting where the snags aren't!! And you can't tell me the guides are drifting through them if the lay downs on the "proper" side for the lake/river. I know that ain't so. They're avoiding them too.

[Travis Swift]

This thread has gotten funny. Here's what I do...fish close to the dock I'm at till the fog burns off then I head up lake taking in the sights and smells and waving to every boat I see just enjoying my favorite place on earth. Then as I'm running down river back to the dock I wave at every boat I see, take in the sights and smells of one of the most magical places on earth while counting down the days and hours till I can get back to her. Then I put the boat on the trailer and pull it home for 5 hours while not speaking a word to my wife because I'm pissed we left then I park the boat in my garage in south central kansas and ask myself everyday for 2 weeks usually while the hell I live here and don't sell and pack everything and move down to be with my river mistress and her sights and smells. Dramatic....yes but darn do I love that lake

[Terrierman]

I drift where and when I want to. TS Bill. It's on you and yours not to hit me.

[Fly Fishing Pete]

This is simple. Don't be an a$$. If it's foggy, slow it down and turn your lights on. Always manage your wake, but that being said, if you are one of us with a bass boat, remember that it's better to slow it down and throw a bigger wake than to be on plane and kill someone due to lack of visibility. Non-motorized craft always have the right of way over motorized craft. Pass on the left. Stay to the right when motoring up or down lake. Slow down when entering skinny water clogged with boats. Watch for fishermen. Upper Taneycomo is for fishermen, not pleasure boaters. In the summer, particularly on the weekend when the upper lake is crowded with boats, watch your speed. There is no need to go 40 MPH above Lilley's. In fact, I'd be fine with a 30 MPH speed limit above Lilley's from May to September.

I, too, have seen certain guides engage in disrespectful behavior. Best solution I've found is to hook up a couple nice fish right in front of their clients while they express their displeasure toward you.

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?!