Guys Hogging Hand Launch Area

[yush_gta]

Thought I'd share a couple of stories and see if you've had very similar incidents, not just any confrontation, but launch hogging incidents. These are from the past 3 years or so.

Mountsberg:

Two places to launch. The trailer launch which is located along that path and then really close to it there is a small open area clear of bush and trees that is a natural access points for small boats.

I have an inflatable and the launch ramp path was full of cars along the sides. So I couldn't drive in there and blow up my boat and all that business. So I did this at the lot up top. Then I walked down the hill to that natural hand launch area, where two guys were sitting down and fishing.

I politely asked them, with a smile too, if they could shift over a bit and allow me to launch. They refused. I think it was old father and adult son. Father was silent but son straight up said no way, you're going to disturb the fish. I said you're sitting in a place that a lot of people launch small boats from. He said he didn't care. Go use the trailer launch. I told him it was full of cars in the first place or else I would have set up and launched from there.

Not wanting to escalate to confrontation because my gf was there, I had a few words for them and I had to turn the inflatable sideways and squeeze it through that path full of branches sticking out to get to the ramp.

For those familiar with Mountsberg, you know the spot I'm talking about? Do you think it's fair game for anglers to just occupy the only natural hand launch area, albeit not a designated launch, and refuse to move? Though at the same time, there are lots of lakes that don't have "designated" launches. No signs. They are the obvious spots and people understand.

I have no idea how long those guys were there for and if they had or hadn't seen canoes and kayaks try to use that spot but I have seen people use that spot a few times in the few occasions I've been.


Ken Whillans:

There is a clearing close to the parking lot that is the obvious launch for the small boats here, which are the only kinds of boats allowed.

I blew up my boat in the lot and started the process of moving my gear the 15 yards or so to the launch. The first thing I brought was my rods. I dropped them on the picnic table and a guy rather rudely says "Excuse me! I'm fishing here." I said, ummm, okay.

I actually didn't realize at that moment he didn't realize that it was the launch. I then said I'm launching my boat here. He then understood and said sorry.

 

[tcp]

Ive had the same trouble with all the cars blocking up the trailer launch at mountsberg, so I launched my inflatable at the grass clearing your talking about. Last time I did that, there was people standing there fishing but I just ignorantly put my boat in the water right in front of them, tossed my gear in and launched. The didnt say much, I just came in quick and did my thing as fast as possible and got out on the water. I felt I had no other choice and there is tonnes of space for people to fish over by the dam which is a much better spot to fish then at the boat launch. duh. some people are just dumb, fishing in ankle deep water for what? minnows?. They should have just let you launch your boat.

 

[Kit]

I would of called the gate house and they would of sent out park security and they would move them or kick em out if they gave em attitude.

 

[MuskieBait]

Here's my two cents (which people don't like to hear these days):

1) Based on what you described as a non-designated but often used launch area. If there is absolutely no indication or signs that say it is a designated launch, then it is first-come-first-serve. To the people fishing, it is a natural shore fishing spot. For people with canoe/kayak/inflatable, it is a natural launch spot. It's a matter of perspective, and it's a matter of respect. If you arrived first and setting up to pump your boat and get ready your gear, then someone arrives to tell you "hey, this is a natural shore fishing spot. Many people had fished here for many years and now you are blocking it. Bugger off." They have as much right to it as you have to it. The only difference is who was there first. Yes, I understand that you'll only be there for moments to launch and you'll be on the way. But you also would disturb their fish. They can sit in that spot and have a picnic or take a nap there all day for all I care. It was not a designated launch spot.

2) Regardless of what people like to do, whether they like to fish in ankle deep water for minnows, or if they like to fish 100 feet of water for sharks, it is really none of your business. Again, it is first-come-first-serve and everyone has a right to the resource and to the water. If they are there first, then lament in the fact you woke up late. You do not deserve more right or respect because you want to chase some big bass or trophy pike. People who like to fish ankle deep water for sunfish has just about as much right as you have. So stop with this ignorance. Calling the security to boot someone out of a natural opening that can be use by anyone for any purpose is pompous and self-righteous. Not everyone has financial capability to afford watercrafts. No everyone spend the same amount of devotion on fishing. To some people, just wetting a line anywhere, regardless of what they catch and how they catch it, is rewarding enough. I travel to Hawaii to catch 2" goby in ankle deep water. What's you point? Again...pompous...self-righteous. Your 6lb big trophy bass is no better than their 3" sunfish...if they truly and simply just enjoy a day out fishing in ankle deep water.

3) The actual issue is not with the anglers fishing at a non-designated launch spot. You are fighting the absolute wrong battle. The real issue is the actual launch path that was BLOCKED BY CARS. This is a designated launch area and should not have cars blocking the access. Then you should notify the park security and management that deny of access is occurring and NO PARKING signs should be erected along the launch path to ensure it is always clear. If the designated launch area is actually cleared, we would not be having this discussion.

 

[MuskieBait]

Ken Whillans:

There is a clearing close to the parking lot that is the obvious launch for the small boats here, which are the only kinds of boats allowed.

I blew up my boat in the lot and started the process of moving my gear the 15 yards or so to the launch. The first thing I brought was my rods. I dropped them on the picnic table and a guy rather rudely says "Excuse me! I'm fishing here." I said, ummm, okay.

I actually didn't realize at that moment he didn't realize that it was the launch. I then said I'm launching my boat here. He then understood and said sorry.

BTW, what are you complaining about here? They guy was clearly unaware it was a launch area, then proceed to apologize. It's a simple mistake. He has a right to speak up when he was already there and you put your rods in the area to encorach on his area. This is an issue?

It's the same as you fishing next to your buddy on the salmon streams and some loogan plop in right in between. You would have spoken up too, no?

I just see it as a lack of communication and respect. A simple introduction like this:

"Hi, I'm sorry to disturb you. You may not be aware that this is a designated launch area for boats. I need to do a quick launch of my boat. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'll do it quickly so you can get back to fishing soon."

...would solve a lot of misunderstanding.

 

[yush_gta]

here's the thing. i'm not even sure there is a sign posted saying the ramp at mountsberg is the designated launch. i can't remember. it is after all gravel dirt and rocks. however, i know for sure i have launched at unregulated lakes with no park authority just straight up public land and no signs whatsoever. this was particularly in small town, usa. all it was a dirt ramp that you'd launch small boats. it was understood that that's where the put in is. there were also small spaces between trees you could just barely get into after a little bushwhacking.

in those cases, no designated launch and technically you wouldn't launch elsewhere besides the obvious launch. and anyone fishing at that spot should understand that they should move even though legally they don't have to. but legally i can also walk right in between them with my gear and "disturb" their fishing because neither of us own the land and we didn't touch each other. so i agree about the respect and perspective. which is why i approached in a very friendly manner and smiling. i said something to the effect of excuse me bud, can i squeeze in there for a couple minutes?

and like you mention about setting up at that spot. if someone spent 20 minutes setting up right at that hand launch and they are aware it's the "go to" launch for small crafts then that's not cool. if they just didn't realize it then someone should mention it to them in a friendly manner and hopefully they understand and make way for others. as for me, i set everything up at the parking lot and then brought everything down and ready to go and simply had to put in. maybe 2 minutes. and of course, i had every legal right to do so as well. my perspective is you have the right to fish there and i have the right to launch there too. so neither of us can legally block the other.

 

[yush_gta]

BTW, what are you complaining about here? They guy was clearly unaware it was a launch area, then proceed to apologize. It's a simple mistake. He has a right to speak up when he was already there and you put your rods in the area to encorach on his area. This is an issue?

It's the same as you fishing next to your buddy on the salmon streams and some loogan plop in right in between. You would have spoken up too, no?

I just see it as a lack of communication and respect. A simple introduction like this:

"Hi, I'm sorry to disturb you. You may not be aware that this is a designated launch area for boats. I need to do a quick launch of my boat. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'll do it quickly so you can get back to fishing soon."

...would solve a lot of misunderstanding.

the complaint is how he rudely said he was fishing there. if he didn't realize it was the launch, then hey that's okay, but this is why people should think before they speak. as soon as i walked up i nodded to him to say hi and i dropped 5 rods in bundles on the picnic table well behind him and was about to turn back and get the other stuff when he spoke rudely.

i didn't feel the need to say excuse me i am going to launch here and all that. reason being is because it is the one and only natural and understood launch and i assumed he knew like many others who were fishing there when i went to launch in the 15 or so times i've been there. every time you go there, you will see someone fishing in that spot 9 times out of 10 at least. and every time, whether it's me or watching others launch or come off, those anglers all made way.

i soon realized he didn't know it was the launch and that's why i wasn't rude. and i was glad when he understood and said sorry. i said no problem man.


this was a very minor instance was resolved quickly and respectfully.

 

[MuskieBait]

Simple as this.

They have a right to fish there as much as you have a right to launch there. Both of you, if you were to be there first, have the right to deny each other access to the water if you had already occupied the area. Yes, you can still proceed to launch and they can still proceed to fish with every right they have. It will simply escalate the issue.

Like I said, simply lament on the fact that you arrived late, and the other party are not more accommodating.

As for your second reply, you brought 5 rods with you...not the inflatable, not the paddles, not any other gear that indicate you were launching a boat...but rods. The most obvious and immediate understanding from the other party is that you are setting up to fish at that spot beside him. If you brought your inflatable and they were rude, that's a different issue. But you only had rods. So see from their prespective and not from yours. It's not nice for them to be snappy, but then again, their assumption is based on the rods they see, not the inflatable that they cannot see. You assumption was they they wish to deny you launch, but not on the fact they saw your rods and thought you were going to fish their area. Hence, misunderstanding.

 

[cptpronin]

Rhymbot,

First, welcome to Moutsberg. Second, you have to get over yourself in this matter. This is everyday life. Not everybody is going to give you a break.

I've had that happen at Mountsberg too. It's easy to overcome:

- Say, "Morning/Afternoon gentleman/folks."

- Put boat in water.

They did not have the chance to say "No" and my boat is in the water. I was not a jerk. I was polite. My boat is now in the water.

I have never been lipped off. If anybody ever did, they can't do anything but lip off. They are not going to drop their rods and beat you in broad day light.

There has been times where I did not feel like launching my boat through groups of picnickers (who always choose that spot), so I gladly let that family enjoy themselves while I launched from the smaller clearing just to the right. I bet you didn't see it, did you.

I usually scout that spot first. If it is busy, I'll just take my chances at the boat launch. It is not a big deal. Nobody is entitled to any part of that area. We have to share it with everyone. It is all give and take like everything else in life.

 

[yush_gta]

when you say "right to deny" do you mean like literally or just by unwritten rules? because neither of us have the right to legally block the other from doing what we're doing. if it were me and a buddy or something we probably would have launched in front of them anyway.

at ken whillans , the guy should have thought to himself, i wonder why he's dropping off five rods and then politely and inquisitively ask what my intentions were instead of him jumping the gun. this would solve many of the world's problems. just like how i nodded to him to acknowledge him as i approached to drop off the stuff.

if i were in his shoes, i would think before i act. i would look around and see and gauge the situation before staking my ground.

and remember, instead of him being rude based on the assumption of me fishing next to him, he could simply have politely asked if i was planning on fishing there and if i said yes he could then said in a civil manner that it's not generally appropriate for anglers to go shoulder to shoulder in spots.

in both situations i was pleasant and acknowledged both guys upon arrival. not the other way around.

 

[hamtownhog]

rhymobot Your statement says it all COMMUNICATION is crucial in every aspect of life , Its the way you choose to do it can have huge effect on the outcome .




Whats wrong with a daylight beat down ? HAHAHAHAHA

 

[MuskieBait]

This is everyday life. Not everybody is going to give you a break.

No, legally, they do not have the right to block access. But legally, you do not have the right to intrude either. By launching, you are also inhibiting their legal fishing activity, so you are also violating their right to fish...if you plop your boat in front of them.

if it were me and a buddy or something we probably would have launched in front of them anyway.

Your reply here suggest that you have no regard for their right to enjoy their activity without intrusion. It shows your true colour. It's not a matter of how many of you there are and whether you can muscle your way out of it. It is no better than a group of loogans crowding you out of your pool...just because they have more bodies to force their will on you, even if you arrived at the pool first and you deny them access to the pool. It's not OK in that case with salmon loogan. I don't know why it is OK in this case if you want to launch your boat.

It's about respect for someone's right to enjoy their day without your intrusion in a public area where they were there first.

Yes, I can go to Center Island and kick a soccer ball across someone's picnic spread. It's public land and I have a right to my activity...even if they deny my right to that little patch of ground. But then you completely disrespect other's right as well. :roll:

Forcing your will is the same level of douche bag as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uocm1ZyOiq4

 

[yush_gta]

i actually could have launched right in between the two of them and between their two lines, therefore not obstructing their fishing.

they showed no regard to what 99% of people consider the hand launch at mountsberg. and them being dicks about it when someone politely asks suggests they don't have regard for me or any of the small boat guys to enjoy their activity.

so all in all, i had the legal right to launch around or in between them. they did not have a legal right to block me. but i did walk away.

 

[MuskieBait]

You can plop the boat in between the two lines to launch...and chase away their fish from the area.

I can paddle a kayak right through the pool where you and your buddies are fishing...and spook all the steelhead in the area.

Not sure why it is so hard to see the similarities... :roll: It's OK to do the former but not OK to do the latter? But one is intrusion while the other is perfectly fine? You argue that it is a "launch area" and you have a right to launch, despite disturbing others who are fishing. I argue that it is a creek that is "navigatible" and I have the right to paddle the creek, despite disturbing you who are fishing. Do we have an altered sense of ethics?

Sure, go ahead. Just don't do it to me...that's all I'm going to say. I may pop your inflatable, beat you with the paddle, and steal your rods and reels...because the video tells me it's OK and 99% of the people here thinks it is funny and a proper thing to do. :razz:

 

[cptpronin]

No, legally, they do not have the right to block access. But legally, you do not have the right to intrude either. By launching, you are also inhibiting their legal fishing activity, so you are also violating their right to fish...if you plop your boat in front of them.

Life is unfair when people do not play by the same rules, isn't it? Point being, suck it up and get over it. The moral outrage is mute.

"Suck it up, buttercup"

 

[yush_gta]

by the way, i'll mention again that this was 3 or 4 years ago. i really didn't care 2 minutes after these things happened. but i hadn't posted on here for a while and those stories popped up in my mind and thought i'd share and see what others thought of the situation.

2 weekends in a row i only got to go fishing twice and both times i tried places i had never tried and have virtually no info about them on the net but i thought they looked intriguing so i went. all i got were two bass 1lb and under.

so without having pics of my catch to share i thought i'd share a story instead.

so far this summer i've been to 11 spots new to me. well that includes down in the US which really paid off but the ones near hear were interesting places to see but fishing slow. next time i'll hit up a proper bass and pike lake and hope to post pics.

 

[rich_ace_G]

if it is a boat launch, you have every right to launch your boat whether someone iws fishing or not. Just because people have been fishing the spot for years doesn't make it not a boat launch. There's a popular boat launch (w/ a dock) where I fish and no matter how loaded that single dock for fishing is...it get's cleared when someone is going to launch a kayak or canoe. Anglers will pack up their chairs and tackle box to give way. Shows the young anglers too to give priorities. it's borrowed time. Happened to me a year ago in High Park. There's a popular spot there. I got to the spot with 2 guys fishing. I have my rod and just observed. sunfish after sunfish. casting out in the open. it's been 10 minutes (i'm that patient) still sunfish after sunfish, out in the open. So I decided to toss a senko close to the bank and boom 2lber lmb. As I was taking a picture the other dude, said that I should look for another spot because they got there first. I just asked, "can I make one more cast?" boom another bass. Just said thank you and left.

 

[rybak]

The boat launch with the gravel path is the Halton Conservation prepared launch site. The one clearing right beside is not, but is usuall used for launching smaller boats. To be honest, I would not ask for permission from someone else if they are in the way, I would simply say "hello ..." and proceed to launch my boat. Ask for forgiveness later. Mountsberg can be a zoo between Friday and Monday.

Last weekend, a dude sees me pull out some nice crappies then proceeds to walk over to me shoulder to shoulder and starts casting across my line. All while saying something along the lines of "Sorry, I don't mean to take your fish". >_<

I politely replied that I'm doing well so he take as many as he wants.

What's worse about that place is that angler ignorance breeds more ignorance. Trash is everywhere, certains folks casting live minnows, no license etc. I haul out a bag of trash every time I leave, because I don't like the sight of garbage on the shore. I saw a dude get fined for keeping fish without a license. I gently warned two guys uppon arrival that they should not have a live minnor bucket with a portable pump as it's not allowed and they they tried to argue and play stupid. I ended it by saying that it's just a friendly warning.

 

[MuskieBait]

Alright. Next time I'm on the creek, I'll say "hello", kick a float tube through a pool, and ask for forgiveness after...and I don't want to see anyone here complaining about some loogan tubing through a pool, cool? :razz: Because if the creek is a zoo anyways, it's OK to do it. :razz: :lol:

Because from the sound of it, we're justifying our own behaviour based on the behaviour of others around us...and not based on a ethics code that should be abided by...regardless of how others treat us. :roll: :razz:

 

[Kit]

Reading though this is silly. Lol.