Pickwick Lake Tragedy.

[ness]

This conversation has crossed over into the ridiculous! We don’t know a darn thing about what happened.

[fishinwrench]

30 minutes ago, ness said:

This conversation has crossed over into the ridiculous! We don’t know a darn thing about what happened.

Yes we do.  A high school level tournament was held where boat operators aren't screened very well.  One team was having motor problems and there was nobody present that was qualified to assist them, so everyone else just assumed they pulled out, forfeited, and went home.  

They didn't though, they got the motor to run and attempted to finish the day albeit way too far away from the ramp considering the issues the motor had.  And a really bad decision was made by the "captain" to fish the dam area even though the motor was not in good running condition.  

The motor either died or failed to start while in that area, and nobody in the boat had the wherwithall to keep them from getting swept over the spillway. 

Then the tournament director(s), after everyone had loaded and left, surely realized that there was still a truck&trailer in the parking lot.....but still didn't consider that it might have been one of their group.   

So much disorganization and poor decision making is evident there.....and I would hope that it gives a LOUD wake-up call to all these high school/college "fishing team" organizers.  

Honestly, small town bass clubs are better put together than these hailed events.     In every bass club I've ever fished with we all had each other's phone numbers so that if somebody had trouble there wouldn't be any problem getting someone to lend a hand.   

So how rediculous am I, and what have I potentially misunderstood about it ?

[ness]

Nope. Most of that is pure speculation. 

[jdmidwest]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Yes we do.  A high school level tournament was held where boat operators aren't screened very well.  One team was having motor problems and there was nobody present that was qualified to assist them, so everyone else just assumed they pulled out, forfeited, and went home.  

They didn't though, they got the motor to run and attempted to finish the day albeit way too far away from the ramp considering the issues the motor had.  And a really bad decision was made by the "captain" to fish the dam area even though the motor was not in good running condition.  

The motor either died or failed to start while in that area, and nobody in the boat had the wherwithall to keep them from getting swept over the spillway. 

Then the tournament director(s), after everyone had loaded and left, surely realized that there was still a truck&trailer in the parking lot.....but still didn't consider that it might have been one of their group.   

So much disorganization and poor decision making is evident there.....and I would hope that it gives a LOUD wake-up call to all these high school/college "fishing team" organizers.  

Honestly, small town bass clubs are better put together than these hailed events.     In every bass club I've ever fished with we all had each other's phone numbers so that if somebody had trouble there wouldn't be any problem getting someone to lend a hand.   

So how rediculous am I, and what have I potentially misunderstood about it ?

Pretty well what I gathered from the reports.  Having a hard time wrapping my head around the whole thing.

But, its a tragedy.  It could have been avoided in so many ways.  As Paul Harvey used to report, I would like to see the "rest of the story".  Maybe it will come out later on this season while I am down there.

[jdmidwest]

And as the operator of a boat, you assume the role of a Captain.  Its an ole term that makes you responsible for all aboard the ship.  The man at the motor controls it all.  I have put my input in from the back seat many times as a precaution and have lived thru the operators decisions with a few bumps and bruises..  

[moguy1973]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

You don't have that kinda flow force ABOVE the dam !    

Those are figures from below the spillway.    

Surely they weren't 50-100' from the giant waterfall when the motor stalled.

Inflow is more than outflow from the dam currently.  🤷‍♂️

 

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

And as the operator of a boat, you assume the role of a Captain.  Its an ole term that makes you responsible for all aboard the ship.  The man at the motor controls it all.  I have put my input in from the back seat many times as a precaution and have lived thru the operators decisions with a few bumps and bruises..  

Yep.   That's the way I always operate.  

A number of my "passengers" have hopped up to "catch the dock" as I pull up to it.   My reaction is always kinda stern.... but hey.    "Sit your @$$ down, I'll put us there, and THEN you can get up after the boat has come to a complete stop".    If I want your help I'll ask for it.    I might come off like a prick....but they only do it once. 😊 

I'd rather hurt your feelings than to have to jump in to save your life after you fall in the lake with a busted open skull.

[fishinwrench]

4 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

Inflow is more than outflow from the dam currently.  🤷‍♂️

 

What in the sam hell are you talking about?   

If inflow is more than outflow.....then where's all the extra water going?  

It's backing up, Captain.  Therefore even less current ABOVE the dam.  

[moguy1973]

Just now, fishinwrench said:

What in the sam hell are you talking about?   

If inflow is more than outflow.....then where's all the extra water going?  

It's backing up, Captain.  Therefore even less current ABOVE the dam.  

That's off the TVA website.  Just posting what I see.

Maybe it's because the river below the dam is narrower so less cubic feet of water can flow through there.  The rest is getting backed up by the dam. If you look at Pickwick by the dam it's about double the width above the dam as it is below it.

 

[fishinwrench]

5 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

That's off the TVA website.  Just posting what I see.

Maybe it's because the river below the dam is narrower so less cubic feet of water can flow through there.  The rest is getting backed up by the dam. If you look at Pickwick by the dam it's about double the width above the dam as it is below it.

 

I gotcha.   I thought you were implying that the current moving you downstream was going to be just as strong above the dam as it is below.   And that's never the case.