Bit of a Problem

[Phil Lilley]

After an email from Bill, I understand alittle more about his beef. BUT I'm still not completely sure of the details and how widespread the problem is.

I've never had much of a problem with any of the motor boat or drift boat guides on the water. I know all of the motor boat guides and a few of the drift boat guides. Drift boats have been a recent addition to this lake. I purchased and tried a Hyde Boat about 8 years ago and didn't like it (personal thing). It was one of the first drift boats designed and built for a motor (small hp) but it didn't get upstream very fast at all against current. Anyhow...

The 2 major bottlenecks in the upper lake are at Fall Creek and the narrows about 3/4 miles upstream from FC. You have to pass thru these channels to get to large open water above them. If someone is fishing or anchored in or next to these necks, you're going to either have to ask them to move (nicely) or pass thru where they're fishing. All the guide I know of are aware of the traffic they encounter if they're fishing these spots and are understanding and gracious when you pass.

It seems there are some new guides who aren't aware of the channel issues. This is what Bill is referring to.

I don't want to start anything here -- motor boats vs drift boats -- but there are more and more drift boats coming onto the scene every year and everybody must find a way to get along. A drift boat has the same rights and responsibilities as a motor boat. They have to give way to the channel for navigation and can't expect to have a channel to themselves and their clients. A drift boat experience is peaceful yes but one on Taneycomo does have its drawbacks. You have motor boats sharing the same water - that's just a fact of Taney-life.

We all have to get along. It ruins a fishing trip when guides have words, doesn't make any difference who's right and wrong.

[ryan]

I both wade and fish from a boat and try to be very conscious of others when doing both. Using common sense goes a long way and I have experienced the wrath of mad fisherman before. Taney is a very crowded place and is almost commical at times to watch the arguments that ensue between fisherman. I feel that god has blessed me with the love for outdoors and I try to be a christian and a conservationist while I am enjoying my favorite hobbies. We all need to try and enjoy our time on the water and not get bent out of shape about what someone else is doing. We are fisherman and should all be on the same team. I had a drift boat guide pull up right where I was drifting and catching fish and tell his client to cast into the same drift lane as I. His client looked at him and asked him point blank if that was ok here. I heard the conversation since I was so close and told the guy to go ahead and cast and that we would take turns casting and drifting. I was mad at the guide but oh well thats life. As for bills situation understandable that area is impassable during low water.