Launching In Hours of Darkness...WHY!!!!

[NETONE]

Ok I have had enough and Saturday I blew my cool...Why is that at O' dark hundred hours folks have to LEAVE their head lights on while backing down and lanching their boat on the ramp...For some odd reason I have to deal with this at Chinook Landing more than any other place...

For heavens sake...turn your parking lights on....

To that young guy I lost my cool with sorry...and to the guy in the next ramp, with a new sled ya should have known better....

Bottomline , other at the top need to see too....

I feel better now !!!

[5-Cents]

True dat :hoboy:

[Tacklebuster]

Some of us have rigs that won't let us turn them off. I have a F350 with full time lights. The emergency brake trick doesn't work and I do not have the knowledge to start ripping wires out just to please a few people at the ramp. Before you think all the people are graemlins/dork.gif 's that don't know any better, there may be another circumstance invlolved.

[NETONE]

Oddly enough I too have one of those vehicles with full running lights, BUT also oddly enough the owners manual outlines how to over ride that feature...That way when I go to Ft Lewis I can come to the gate with just parking lights on, or also when I lanuch my boat I don't blind all my fellow fisher"people"....

[oversize]

I know what you mean.

Please turn those lights off.

[bassin]

I agree with those that turn their lights down. I always do. And Then You have those who don't look down the ramp before they back down.
Friday Morning it's dark, am alone and just started tying up to the dock when I see a boat backing down......... Running lights are on my truck but he's still comming. Stopped short about three feet from my truck before he saw it.

[steelhead22]

Yeah, that sucks when that happens. But seriously, how much time did you actually lose? I've been there, I think we all have, you just need to relax. Why start your day angry... over lights of all things? It just doesn't make sense to me. It's annoying, but so what, it's not the end of the world. It maybe makes your time at the ramp 5 minutes longer max, and it's less if you politely ask them to turn off their lights. In fact, I'd say you lucked out in this situation. I don't know exactly what the situations was, but it sounds like this young guy just sat back and took your anger in stride, lucky you. I can tell you, that had you started yelling at me or giving me a hard time, it would've been a different situation. I don't take that stuff lightly, not from someone who I don't know, and it would end up in a situation neither of us wanted. How embarassed to you think that poor guy was. Not only was he doing the wrong thing, but he gets to get reamed by you. Here's the deal, if you ask me nicely, or let me know I'm doing something wrong that's making your day tougher, I'm happy to do whatever you need. If not, well, I guess we all make decisions and we have to deal with the consequences. Take care, and good luck on the river.

SH22

[King Fisher]

Netone- WWJD. You know what I mean. Sometimes people do the strangest things on the boat ramp or on the water. The best thing to do is get out of the way and if you can politely say something- then do it. Otherwise move on and enjoy the day. It's a short life, enjoy the good fishing we have out there.

[glowball]

It is a pain to deal with the lights, but it is not the end of the world. I have found that walking up to the drivers window and asking nicely if they will please turn their headlights off they will gladly and usally they'll apologize for forgetting.

It's early in the morning, a lot is going on, and for a lot of these people they only go out a handful of times a year. So either ask nicely or keep your pie hole shut.

The guys with the bark hardly ever have a bite. Its the quiet ones you need to watch.

[steelhead22]

Ohhhhh. That doesn't seem that bad, I don't really even know what your sorry for. I thought you got up in this guys face or somethin' and then proceeded to the other guy with the sled (I've seen similar situations before, sometimes fishermen are the worst people in the world). I would actually appreciate that if I was him, heck, maybe he even knows to turn off his lights, but just forgot. As long as you say it nicely (and your right, in that environment it's difficult, you kinda have to yell and be direct), I don't see a single thing wrong with saying, "Hey, could turn off your lights, I can't see to back down." I guess it's just how you go about it, and it sounds like you really didn't do anything you should feel bad for. I've seen it all when it comes to confrontations at the ramp. I pretty much grew up at Meldrum Bar on the Willamette from the ages of 10-15, my friends and I fished there everyday. We've seen much, MUCH worse than this. So I'm sorry, if I sounded like a graemlins/dork.gif , I just misinterpreted the situation. That's the thing about posting, everyone else is reading it and interprets what you write differently, they can't see any facial expressions and once you hit reply, you can't really clear up the detail until your next post.

By the way, I launch out of Chinook Landing every now and then. If you see a little 16' Smokercraft Alaskan (I think everone calls them "coffin boats" on the Columbia) with a 15 h.p. Yamaha, say Hi, it's probably me. Can't miss me, I'm smaller than 90% of the boats out there.

[foxer]

Geez,no wonder i stay on the bank... :hoboy:

[WaterDog]

Disabling your DRL's is not that hard. :rolleyes: There is this thing called the internet, where there is a website for EVERYTHING......

If you drive a Ford( SD or f150), go to THIS RECENT THREAD (http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=028427) and follow the links provided.

If you drive a GM or Dodge, there are sites for them as well.

:smile:

[steelhead22]

llabwolg- Soooo true. graemlins/eek13.gif

[NETONE]

Steelhead22...No issues here, Trust me it was far from a be-little-ment and angered yell..was a point of what i refer to as direct correction. I am a very very easing going guy, takes alot to put me over the edge. I just know what it feels like to be corrected, because thats how I learned, oh the stories I could tell..they are funny now. Because deep inside..we all feel a great pride in our boats, gear and skills out their...To me when I get to go fishing its as if I am playing in the Super Bowl...I think 95% of my fishing is for the solitude and down time from the daily battles..The fish become sometimes more work once ya get home, I am on a catch & release mode now..

Will do, I will be the jerk controlling the top of the ramp yelling at everyone...Just kidding..

[steelhead22]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif
I'll bring some of those little orange light things that those guys have at the airport, oh yeah, and an orange vest with reflectors :laugh: :laugh: .

[Wreckless]

Actually I RARELY have a problem with peoples headlights in my eyes :shrug: ...................................I just sleep in, get there LATE, and squeeze in next to the boat that's hookin' all the fish!!!!! :wink:

[Stryker]

NETONE:
If you would have done this to me I would have turned off my lights, rolled up my truck window, and pulled my boat out of the water. Next I would have jotted down your vehicle plat number and boat numbers. Next I would have called the police.

As soon as they put you in the back of the police car I would go back to launching my boat. Remembering to turn off my lights as you asked me to.

You have NO right to “loose your cool”!!!!

Oregon state Law: Chapter 166 — Offenses Against Public Order
166.025 Disorderly conduct. (1) A person commits the crime of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, the person:
(a) Engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior;
(b) Makes unreasonable noise; (yelling at someone you do not know)
(c) Disturbs any lawful assembly of persons without lawful authority; (like a public boat ramp)
(d) Obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public way; (getting out of your vehical is considered threatening behavior by the law)
(e) Congregates with other persons in a public place and refuses to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse;
(f) Initiates or circulates a report, knowing it to be false, concerning an alleged or impending fire, explosion, crime, catastrophe or other emergency; or
(g) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which the person is not licensed or privileged to do.
(2) Disorderly conduct is a Class B misdemeanor.
166.065 Harassment. (1) A person commits the crime of harassment if the person intentionally:
(a) Harasses or annoys another person by:
(A) Subjecting such other person to offensive physical contact; or
(B) Publicly insulting such other person by abusive words or gestures in a manner intended and likely to provoke a violent response;
(3) Harassment is a Class B misdemeanor.

[Sturgeon 42]

just back down past the lights or be the first one there and no worrys.... :grin: :grin: :grin:

[NETONE]

Stryker...

I think you need to take some time to read the posts above, to include mine..., and not, infer, a fisty - cuff situtation...It was so far from that...For me to "lose my cool", that means I actually spoke up...An to be very blunt...I think most here would have too with 3 vehicle blasting lights up the ramp and about 4 - 5 boat in the wait line and 3 on deck...

In fact this is my last effort to explain that, if one does not get it from hence forth...then why enter in to a post without read it first..

I give....

[Tacklebuster]

WaterDog- Catching URB's in the Columbia isn't that hard either, it just takes others a little longer than some :wink: :laugh: :grin:

I guess I should look into getting them turned off someday. Just didn't think it was that big of an issue until now.

[fishingfirst]

Chris,
You could always fall back on the military training.........just tape off all but a little square on the lights........possibly the 60 cal. out the roof.....lots of room on the ramp then!

Standard disclaimer.......I do not condone violence, just trying to be funny!

Scott

[Stryker]

I thought I did read the entire post. I must have misunderstood something. :shrug: Sorry! Don’t mean to offend. I will reread it. graemlins/dork.gif
However if the situation at the dock were anything other then a friendly exchange I thing I would have reacted the same. I have had bad experiences in the past. I don’t take anyone’s crap anymore.
Years ago people were friendly at the ramps but today it’s different, don’t you agree?

[WaterDog]

Chris, this subject comes up a couple of times a year. It's a pain especially on narrower ramps because you simply cannot see where your going at all. All you see in your mirrors is a blinding light.

It's really a courtsey thing, it keep things moving, and it prevents someone backing into things other than the water.

[NETONE]

Stryker...I hear ya loud & clear there..

I have a dumb answer to the ramp problems these days, and I am some what fearfull that our local Portland area river this winter will see the same.

heres my theory...The Alum Boat dealers have really been selling boats like hot cakes for about the past 8 months. I Attribute that to intrest rates and the long term financing available making it painless to purchase a new boat, hence, folks that never owned boats before have now been blessed owners and others like me upgraded...With the population basically exploding of boat owners the natural effect is crowded ramps...With all levels of experance from 0 to darn good. I have seen this growth since living on the Sandy river over 25 years ago, where you might then see a drift boat, and a rare sighting of a sled...Where now seems like in the past 1 year its really boomed...I know last year was fairly busy on the Clack feel this year it will be more so due to the above...

Just my thoughts...

[rags]

If you own a Chev with the auto headlights just push the little round button fast two times that says "Dome Override". Your headlights will go off. If you push it twice fast again they will come back on. :grin:

[ 09-15-2003, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: rags ]

[steelhead22]

Netone- That sounds like a pretty good theory. I'm sure that it definitely has something to do with how crowded the ramps are. As for myself, crowded ramps are all I've ever known, so it's all just more of the same to me. More people, more cars, more boats, etc. etc.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally posted by Tacklebuster:
WaterDog- Catching URB's in the Columbia isn't that hard either, it just takes others a little longer than some :wink: :laugh: :grin: <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">All right. :mad: That was a direct slam on me. graemlins/berry.gif Boy a guys gets lucky and slams a few fish and all the sudden he's a pro. :bowdown: Goodness Chris just come out and say it. :wink: BTW That oil slick just may have cured your leaky tub problem. Heck, it marked the spot with the heavy bunker crude from my rig.

It's just fishing folks. We all can't be as smart as Waterdog. :shocked:

[ 09-15-2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

[Stryker]

I agree!! graemlins/applause.gif
We have recently taken up a new hobby. “Ramp Watching”. I get a kick out of watching new boat owners try to launch their boat. graemlins/dork.gif Thousands of $ in damage and a lot of men yelling at there wives. :mad:

[NETONE]

The best one I had at the ramp about 2 weeks ago I went down to Chinook Landing lanched in early AM..came back around 1-2pm was one of those nice 90 degree days talk about a ZOO!!!! I was just pulling out and their is this guy teaching his wife to back the new boat & trailer down the ramp...I sat and laughed...she tied up one NO two lanes for the 10 mins I was at the pull out area...I wanted to see if she made it and guess what she was still working it down the ramp....

Last month a friend of mind who has had his Duckwork for nearly 6 years now...and has managed to keep it scratchless, got hit by a guy trying to jump around him under power...scratched the back rear into the Alum...

Have to love it..I think Steelheader 22 has it right....we should get the Airline safety Crew vest & Lights and go direct ramp activity

[Stryker]

If people would just slow down, follow the rules and etiquette at the ramps and docks things would be a lot better. Sometimes I see everyone doing it correctly so I know it works. :smile: It only takes one. Isn’t that awful, one can ruin it for hundreds. :hoboy: The bad part is the “one” is probable on this message board and reading posts like this thinking the heck with all of you. :tongue:
I am a small person (about 5’5”). All my life growing up I was bullied by guys trying to prove something. As an adult I will not be bullied or intimidated any more. I have studied the law and I will not hesitate using it like a club to thump someone. As a small person the cops look at someone a foot taller then me as a real threat to me.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Aside from the Light problems in life I like to try to help folks along that are struggling along. Especially a father that has his young kid with him trying to launch a boat. I don't complain what a bozo he is. I get down there and help them launch the darn boat. Could care less if someone behind me yells at me. They should take into account that I probably just hurried the painful process along and they just launched 3 minutes earlier than they would have if I had not helped them.

A little thoughtfulness and kindness at the ramp goes a long ways boys and girls. Lots of places to fish and a lot of fun to be had. You can let it frustrate ya or you can just go fishing. Now if ya ram my boat we may need to talk. Most likely my boat will do more damage to yours. I just let the dried fishblood cover my scratches. :wink:

[Stryker]

Once I had to parked my boat at the far end of a dock so my brother and I could spent two hours in the water up to our knees helping many people trailer their boat in a wind storm. :depressed: It caught on, graemlins/hearton.gif other fishermen got their chest waders on and did what we did and we were able to trailer probably fifty boats in two hours. Many people tried to pay us but we would not have it. Everyone was great and it was encouraging to see everyone cooperating and patient under the conditions.

[steelhead22]

This is kind of on the subject. But was I the only one who learned to back up a boat in an empty parking lot. My dad taught me just like I was learning to drive a car. Do most people just starting out just try to learn to back their boat down the ramp on the fly? Or are most people like me, learn first, then go ahead and join the rest of us at the ramp?

[Stryker]

I'm not sure when I learned how it was long ago but...I think most learning is done at the ramp.

[ 09-15-2003, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: Stryker ]

[NETONE]

HEY Steelheader22 & Stryker that would be a nice new topic..."Where did you learn to back a trailer"

I learned working on farms through out highschool..nothing like dumping a load of hay while heading to the barn...makes ya real popular...

[Fishin Magician]

Its chaotic enough trying to get a boat in with that many people at the same launch and everyone wants to get in now..........My opinion take it easy, fishing is supposed to be fun and non stressful. Just politley ask the dude to turn off the headlights and he will remember for next time. Try to remember that not everyone fishes as much as most of us do, as a matter of fact most of these people only get out once in a while and arent versed in the morning firedrill. The more polite I am to people the more friends I seem to meet. The last guy I was polite to invited me and a friend to go out on his 75' yacht for a two day tuna/salmon trip. Pays to be cool headed.
I know how frustrating it is and I get angry too but its definatly not worth the headaches that come along with it.

John

[CATCH AND EAT]

Some of those vehicles cannot be overridden. And many folks don't take time to read the owners manual. It is a pain for sure. And some folks just don't know better.

Chris, better get tech support on the phone and a translator to decifer the owners manual. :wink:

[Tacklebuster]

Quote by Catch and Eat " I just let the fish blood cover the scratches". If that was indeed the case, your the only one I know that has never put a scratch in that skunk cage you call a boat :laugh: :laugh: :grin: Of course this is only my opinion from the data I collected watching the mighty USS Skunk Tub put on a clinic on how to be the only boat in the line not to catch a fish :laugh:

You know I love ya Bernie graemlins/hearton.gif

[ 09-16-2003, 12:05 AM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

[RichH]

SH22,

graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif :cheers:

For goodness sakes folks, you're going fishing. enjoy the day and the opportunity to get out. Life is way too short to get worked up over something like lights. :depressed:

When I find myself getting worked up over something I pause and ask myself if it will matter tomorrow. If the answer is no, let it ride. :cool:

[El-Kabong]

here is a tip

Don't stare into the lights.

[steelhead22]

Is it spelled possum or opossum? "Move little guy, MOVE!!!" Thump. "Oops, too late."

[ 09-15-2003, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: steelhead22 ]

[rola76]

I agree with RichH...fishing is supposed to be a vacation from work, whether you catch fish or not!! There's no need to get all warped out of shape for something you can turn your head away from. Have some fun man!! :dance:

[Wheeler Dealer]

Good for you for this topic. I do not understand why some folks just do not get it :whazzup: Guess I am bias, because I am retired military, and when ever going in and out of the post gate, drivers are required to put parking lights on during the hours of darkness. Glad I read these responses. I am in the process of buying a new truck. I will make darn sure I know how to drive with parking lights on so I do not blind fellow fishermen around the docks....

Wheller

[CATCH AND EAT]

Kudos Rich. That's what I should have said. So instead of just one person having a crappy launch experience there were two people that started the day off on the wrong foot. To bad. I understand though, cause it sure is easy to get worked up when you are in a hurry.

"Shut up and fish".

[NETONE]

Maybe I should clear sometime, And I know its happened to all of us one time or another, we have been educated by others in a direct short manner, happened to me several time years ago (Then I got smart)...In fact for this same issue..My face turned red felt ashamed and embrassed, but ya know what as I had the 3-4 mins to think about it the guy was right. We all have corrected people and been corrected, I hope we have all done in in a tackful manner, yet at times very direct due to the noise and fast moving enviroment.

Was not a few weeks back and I was out at B10 I saw a guy flat lining (REALLY), several others just darned near boarded this guys boat, that was ugly, yet again could have been handle so much better. If someone would have been direct and to the point without name calling and harshness it would have been solve.

Now if someone wants to elevate a situation, I chose to move on as we all do, I do not have the time nor that low of a maturity level to deal with it, it the only form of enjoyment I get out of work 60 hours a week, with another who knowns hours of honey do's..But granted, someone gets in my space and draws first blood, well now thats an entirely different situation, I just hope they are prepare. And in all my "situations" never once has it got to that, even with our "friendly" drunks out their.

Bottomline, being direct yet not threating in eduaction should not lead to that. The young guy had his wife and kid with him, I felt that by telling him "Hey, keep your lights off on the ramp so we can see makes things go faster", was more a blow to embrassment than anything, being their once my self I felt "dumb", but yet I too learned. That is what i am sorry for..

[ 09-15-2003, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: NETONE ]

[porter]

I like this site. I just learned something. I think I will turn my lights off when backing down a ramp in the dark. And I didn't have to get yelled at.

[Tacklebuster]

Netone-"oddly enough" I too have an owner manual, "oddly enough" I do know how to read and actually have sat down to try and figure it out. "Oddly enough", it does not say one thing on how to overide the lights. Once again, there may be other circumstances involved hear than somebody being a graemlins/dork.gif . If you see a F350 backing down the ramp at O dark thirty in the morning, I would think twice about blowing my stack at the driver because he is an idiot and he should turn off his lights. Once again, there may be other circumstances involved.

Bernie- I'm still trying to scrub off that stinky oily substance off my boat that your boat was oozing off when you anchored up next to me on Saturday. What was that, essence of skunk :sick: :laugh:

[NETONE]

please........

[Time Off]

Does anybody know how to override the driving lights on a Toyota Tundra? :shrug:

Okay I admit I haven't even looked at the owners manual graemlins/dork.gif I just thought someone might know :grin:

[roadsend]

Netone,

"Was not a few weeks back and I was out at B10 I saw a guy flat lining (REALLY)"

I hate to appear ignorant, but what is flat lining?

[NETONE]

Roadsent....

Flatlinning is where you run the plug, spinner or devise behind the boat in a troll with out any weight or diving gear...thus it runs back 50' - to where ever ya yard it out to as deep as the devise will go...

Just on the inside of B10 with (quessing) 65 boats, their was a guy in a boat with about 80' of line behind his boat pulling a spinner....2 boats got messed up with him then 5 mins later another boat with the boat traffic getting all twisted up...

If he wanted to fish that way he should have moved off to where their was less traffic...

Going out fishing is an adventure....its always fun to see what ya see out there....I love It...

[ 09-16-2003, 07:54 AM: Message edited by: NETONE ]

[abercrombie]

OK.. now you have my curiosity up. I have to go out and check my lights on my F250SD... I know if 1. I turn them to the left, it puts them in auto light.. its dark, they come on, its light they go off, you get out and turn the key off, they stay on for period.. 2. then turn them straight up, they are off, and 3. to the right, they are on.. but, 4. how to turn on just the parking lights?.. gotta go look .. good post, great heads up..

[Hess]

WOW!
Not sure if I want to return to Chinook or not...I'll remember my headlights if I do (hope I can override my auto anyway)
And I AM a newbie, but we all have to start somewhere right? So when you see me coming don't scream at me cause I'll probably start crying and that will hold the ramp up even more!

Thanks to all of you who let me "cut" back in line a couple of weekends ago while I was launching at Chinook and my boat was taking on water cause I forgot to put the plug in! Glad everyone was cool headed then, cause I was about paniced!

[dampainter]

launch in the dark...why? so I can beat most of the crowds and so I can hopefully :rolleyes: catch my fish and get home so I can do the honeydo`s....... :laugh: :rolleyes: and yes I do turn the lights off when I back down the ramp

[ 09-20-2003, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: dampainter ]