FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
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From TPWD on this holiday weekend.
We are expecting another boost in Texans enjoying the outdoors during the Labor Day weekend so Texas Game Wardens will be out in force to ensure that everyone exercises proper safety protocols on the water,” said Cody Jones, TPWD Assistant Commander for Marine Enforcement. “We want to ensure water-related activities are handled in a responsible manner. While you are on a boat, wear a life jacket, closely supervise any children with you, use the engine kill switch, and abstain from driving a boat if you are drinking alcohol.”
As they say about New Years Eve, amateur night. Well the same can be said for the holiday weekends on the water in Texas. Be safe, there is no more dangerous time to be on the water in Texas.
So here are my rules from last year.
- Just because you are correct does not make it right. Assume your fellow boaters know nothing, or have been drinking, so give way.
- Other than saying hi do not get into it with some knucklehead on the water for any reason.
- Get you stuff together before you even approach the ramp. Then unload, and if you have help you should not even get on the ramp until the driver is in the boat and ready to go. Then drop it in, float it off, and pull out.
- Then move out of the way. Don’t be a Froggie’s idiot (A daily happening.) and pull off on the side in front of the ramp to clean fish while 10 people are trying to get out.
- Drink like a fish if you want, when you get home, especially if you are the captain. You are responsible for your passengers safety. I mean who wants to be cuffed and stuffed in front of family and friends?
- Remember the kill switch and mandatory life jackets on the kiddos.
- Be sure to check everything out on the boat and trailer before leaving the house. The ramp is not the place to find out your battery is dead, or end up sitting on the side of the road instead of in the water because your hub blows out.
- And last – have a great time with your family and friends. 2020 (And 2021 is trying to keep it going.) has been a dumpster fire and the last thing you need is trouble on your weekend.
Think I am exaggerating? Last years (2020) numbers.
And from my post last year on TPWD holiday weekend numbers.
AUSTIN— Texas Game Wardens closed the summer boating season with water safety checks and boating safety patrols on the lakes, rivers and bays in Texas over the extended Labor Day weekend. Between Friday and Monday, water safety checks were conducted on more than 3,800 vessels statewide. Additionally, 267 citations and 412 warnings were issued for various boating safety law violations.
Four individuals were also arrested for Boating While Intoxicated, three others were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and 21 others were arrested on other charges.
Over the holiday weekend, game wardens also responded to 26 boating accidents across the state.
Do the math, over 700 incidents, say 2 to a boat, means almost 1 out of 10 are not in compliance in one way or another. And a big thanks to our wardens, we respect you and the job you do. So for God’s sake, and your loved ones, be freakin’ careful!
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.
For all your wading needs.
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And now the bad news. Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in another commercial deer breeding operation. TPWD has instituted plenty of new restrictions but it is starting to feel like the cat is out of the bag. The very last thing Texas needs is for that to get into the wild population, if it has not already. We are playing with fire. Time to stop the transfer of all captive deer until there is no chance of it spreading. But since that will not happen, see how long it takes to become an issue. Any bets? And since our government agencies are usually a little to close to private commercial interests I have no faith in what is going to happen.
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I am about to take a really big mental health break. This will be the last you hear from me until sometime in Colorado. Until I leave I am taking a break from the blog, and once I leave from the news, Facebook, TV, and anything else I can think of. This country has gone insane, from the right wing nut cases who quote the constitution like they can spell it, to the completely clueless radical leftist who wants to give it all away. We have stopped working together, turning the other cheek, and compromise is for the other guy. It seems like there is no center. Science is suspect by both the stupid and the educated, and the law is being used as a weapon against those with the least. And somehow Facebook has become folks go to for knowledge and information, no matter how stupid or incorrect. Think about how screwed up that is. So the fix? I have no clue other than quit bombarding ourselves every second of the day. Put down your phone! The world will go on without it, and you. But I do know how to fix me.
Daybreak on the top of a mountain listening for the eerie cry of a bugling elk with a chill in the air. A small stream I can cast across with my 3wt, hopefully without a soul in sight. Watching a trout ease his head out and engulf a hopper. Fishing a high mountain lake and taking only what I need for my supper. Hiking a trail with bear spray on my belt, hoping, and dreading, coming across a lion or bear. And being absolutely exhilarated at the very thought. Glassing a high ridge hoping to see a full curl, or maybe seeing a couple of mule deer locked in mortal combat for the future of the species. Switching to 4 wheel when the road deteriorates as the Continental Divide comes into full view. Then getting out of the truck, dining on a delicious bologna sandwich and honey bun, listening to the wind through the trees, and really “seeing.”
Please be so careful this weekend. Enjoy whatever you do, but respect the rights of others. And be nice, it is actually a lot easier than being an asshole. Now I am going to work on the pile of stuff and the list, I can not wait. So keep stopping in, I will be back, and thanks for 11 great years.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
