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Location: Oshkosh,WI | I have heard from a lot of "River Rats" that there are a lot of people that are upset with the PWT coming to the area. Why is that? If everyone respects each other there should be no problems....Remeber to follow all the slow no wake warnings that may be out by then due to all the high water. The river is small and narrow. There is no need to traveling at excessive speeds while dodging other boats in the river. Slow down a bit and be curteious to the other anglers that are out there....
Troy |
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Posts: 874
Location: Neenah, WI | The PWT has imposed a far more stringent no wake rule than that which applies to the general public on the Wolf. I think there is worse behavior in the local tourneys than I've ever witnessed in the dozen or so PWT events that I've fished in. |
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Yep, will concur with Dale.
Most of the fellas fishing the PWT are well grounded and have their minds on fishing. If anything, these guys will try hard to avoid the crowds. Most realize it will do them no good trying to force their way into a river crowded full of angry fisherman. |
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Posts: 226
Location: Oshkosh,WI | I know that most of the PWT guys know how to handle themselves...It's the local river rats that I am concerned about. Some of these guys can get out of hand when other people intrude on "their" area....I have been approached and pushed around on the river as well as a couple of other guides and friends of mine. It's too bad.....Anglers should not have to put up with local fisherman that think they own the river sometimes. It seems like this happens with tournament anglers and guides anywhere you go....We as professional fisherman are trying to make a living. This is our workplace and we should all respect that. I hope everything goes well and the fishing is at its prime for these guys...I am very excited to start covering tournaments again this year! BRING 'EM ON!!!!!!!!!
Troy |
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Troy, this is a very big problem for anyone who does earn a living by fishing. But you must realize this water is for all the public and any tournament angler or guide is well advised not to push the hot buttons of the local anglers.
It is public and the privilege can be taken away. |
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Posts: 3899
| Push the buttons of the local guys? The last time I was up that way, it was the local guys that acted like little kids. They were the ones creating the problems. It's that way every year, and seems to be getting worse. I would suspect that there will be some police types on the water, just to help keep the peace.
My advice to the PWT boats is to fish your tournament, be conservative in your boating, and ignore anything said to you on the water. |
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Shep, the (smarter) tournament anglers will take these guys into consideration as they plan their strategy. It may be that the buttons are already hot, but conflict is there and waiting to happen. So it'll take finesse on the part of the contestants to avoid this.
Shep, just how can anyone change these emotions? I don't know, but it will not be pretty should one of these expensive rigs - in it a fisherman going for the big prize - come into a group of locals and get in what they percieve is their way.
It is what it is and to confront these guys would be foolish and only serve to take time from productive fishing.
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Posts: 3899
| Rick,
If the locals are already hot, why is that? Like you said, it is a PUBLIC waterway. And, like I said, when the PWT pro's get up and amongst everybody else, they would be well advised to just ignore anything said. I know that most of the Pro's are well behaved, and will represent their tournament weell. Let's hope thay ALL are! But it only takes one to respond negatively, and this thing could get ugly.
I really think that nothing is going to happen. Some pro's will fish the "community" spots, and will take some heat. The pro's that seek out their own spots will probably do better, and won't have to put up with any abuse. I think community holes are over-rated, anyway. It's a starting place during prefish, but I think those that work to find that spot away from everybody else will be better off. I'll be watching closely as to the top places for patterns. I would be surprised if they are from the crowds. |
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Yep, we're pretty much on the same page. The only bit to differ on is tournaments can be restricted on public water. |
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Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Shep, Rick, Troy, Dale, you guys have all been around for awhile. Do you guys think that the first time a tournament boat goes up the wolf, the locals will stare at it like "what the heck is that thing?" 20' Tournament boats run my river....er....ahh....THE river everyday. The old school local is fading fast. If they dont have a large boat, they want one. If the pros fly around a blind corner and spray down a local flat bottom that anchored, they may have trouble. But charlie moore will have something to say as well. I doubt there will be many pro boats after the dinks in the river anyhow. |
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Location: Manitowoc, WI | Stacker,
Our rules for the tourney require us to slow to a "no wake speed" when within another boat in the river, so that will make it interesting, for sure. As for fishing within a group of boats, that remains to be seen what will take place. In my opinion, there are plenty of places to fish with plenty of fish to be found, so there shouldn't be any trouble. I personally don't plan to spend alot of time upriver fighting the crowds, so it shouldn't affect me, but one never knows. |
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Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Yes Jerry, well aware of the limitations that were put on the pwt pro's by the pwt. I really think that it will be no problem. |
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Posts: 1656
| Denny, Jerry, well said and agree.
At times the rule of thumb on the river seems to be if the boat is faster than yours, you flip 'em off. hehehe
I really think the river will be a limited role for this tourney. Unless the weather turns really ugly and people are scratching for a limit. Looking forward to the weigh-ins and hearing what people have to say when it's all done and said. |
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| I think Jayman has hit on how the locals should look at this tourney. I know I won't be doing much fishing that week, but I will be doing a LOT of observing and listening. I can't help but believe one can learn some new patterns/locations from these pro's that will be here. Instead of complaining about it, and get out there and observe! You might learn something to put more fish in your boat. |
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| As someone who lives in New London and works with tourism throughout the area from Winneconne to New London, I can tell you that "the locals" look at the PWT event just like any group of people, lots of different opinions. I think it's great for the area as a whole and look forward to seeing a few friends who fish the PWT that come to my golf outing. I can tell you that THIS "local" is more concerned with the sudden rash of "jr" tournaments then having the PWT here. The PWT let us know right away with NO WAKE rules and boundrys that the local and visiting anglers have their area too, a step I wish the Fremont Tournaments would take. We need safe "fishing boat" areas where families can enjoy our great fishing. As far as those who don't think there will be any big fish in the river April 21st, keep thinking that.
On another note. It's nice of some tp speak for us "locals" or blame the oft ugliyness on the river to "the locals", but I can tell you that the higher percentage of people on the river who act like kids or cause the problems are NOT from the area. People from the area who use the river fish more days a month then 95% of the other people who visit the river fish all year, that's one of the benefits in living here. You'd think it would be easier to understand whats right and whats not on the river by spending lots of time on it. What I love is the guys who show up with a chip on their shoulder that says "no one owns the river" and use that as an excuse to act like a jerk, then blame it on someone else, local or not. Take ANY group of 10,000 people and you will have your percentage of jerks. To say it's the "local" on the river has the greater number is absurd.
Edited by Joel "Doc" Kunz 3/16/2004 10:17 PM
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Posts: 279
Location: Rockford MN | I wonder if the people that have a problem with this could just stay home? I mean if you dont like it stay home that week! So what it's not like its the only time you can be on the water. I know they have a right to be there, but if it bothers you that much just dont go. Do your spring clean-up that week or something else.
The few that do have a problem will how ever show up to make a stink, just to make a point! PWT anglers seem to have problems on that body of water, how they handle it will the factors that count! I'm sure under their new format that they will be schooled well on how and what to do should they be confronted with these problems.
Good luck to alll the guys hope the bite is on big time! |
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Thats a good point Doc, anyone can act like a jerk, but just because you see them in a small boat with a Wis tag on it doesn't mean it is a "local".
The PWT has the event during the week which will by-pass the large week-end crowd. And most of the contestants of this circuit have way to much at stake to make an issue with these "locals", whether they are or not.
I have had the good fortune to be a contestant in the PWT both as an amateur and a boat owner, and will say the director of this outfit makes it very clear the contestants be on their best behavior. Have no doubt any contestant out of line will be dealt with immediately!
Unfortunately, there still are "locals" who, if given the chance, will make an issue of these anglers in ritsy boats fishing for the big prize. Whether its out of pure spite, jealousy, or because they had a run-in with a tournament boat from another contest - it still behooves the PWT anglers, and any other angler to be courteous in the face of sharp criticizm.
To confront it is a losing strategy.
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| Yup and just because you see someone in a bigger boat with Illinois tags on it doesn't mean the guy driving that boat doesn't live here. When my friend from Itasca comes we usually fish his boat just because he doesn't get to use it much. Point is you can't assume anything.
As far as the PWT, I've known Charlie Moore for 4 or 5 years, he's a smart cookie. I don't think the weekday format, timing of the event, boundrys and professionalism expected by the PWT will create any negative effect on the Wolf River, it's fishermen local or visiting. It's a positive thing for our entire area and I hope they return.
Unfortunately, there still are "locals" and "non-locals" who, if given the chance, will make an issue of these anglers in ritsy boats fishing for the big prize. Whether its out of pure spite, jealousy, or because they had a run-in with a tournament boat from another contest.
Edited by Joel "Doc" Kunz 3/17/2004 1:39 PM
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| Doc, There surely will be some big fish in the river come april 21st.
"rules for the tourney require us to slow to a "no wake speed" when within another boat in the river"- this rule has basically eliminated a large part of the river. Even on week days during the "run" there is still a lot of people on the river. Basically the river has become slow no-wake. Hence, I think the big weights will come from other places than the river from the mouth on up. |
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