Where does the $ go?

EastCreek · 05-29-2005, 12:36 PM

OK...need to vent. Fished out of The Fishery yesterday. Coming in to the dock, wind pushing me aginst the dock (up river side..left) as I wanted...see the corner of the wooden dock rotted away and sort of rounded off. I get half of the boat (lets call it 20' boat and aliminum) past the entrance (VERY little, IF ANY) angle on the approach. Time to "kiss the dock" and call it a day. Bump the metal against the wood and slide on in. Well, no "kiss"...just BAM!...jarred the boat...no bounce or slide, more like grabbing hold and punching the boat. I get out and think that the heck was that all about. Look at the boat..big 'ol dent and shiny, scraped metal. OK...how does worn out wood do that? Look at the corner of the dock...just below the surface of the water, perfectly squared off, sharp, steel beams.

Needless to say, not happy. I look to the opposite corner of the dock. Worn away, decomposed wood...yet, wisely has a 3/4 tire housing the corner. Guess I picked the wrong side!

My gripe(s)...possible a few hundred in damage if I fix it. I paid 8 bucks to use a facility that (yes, it's a holiday weekend) where I have to run 1/4 mile up the road to park...I have to bang the heck out of the truck and gear on a pothole, ditch filled, gravel road...and then catch submerged, unprotected steel into the side of my boat.

100+ vehicles there (let's say they had $1,000 day). It's a holiday weekend with lots of useage. Why is the road beat to heck and why is the dock not properly maintained? Where does this money go? What am I paying for?

A fiberglss boat would have had a hole in it...taking on water. A 30-40k jet sled...ouch. Price or type of boat, regardless.

May as well take my 8 bucks to The Fishery, launch my boat, and then take a lighter to the cash in the parking lot.

Thanks for listening. I'm still a bit hot over this. EC

gottafish · 05-29-2005, 12:45 PM

I here ya I have a 30 foot sea ray I fish out of and I am tarrified to take it there. I always launch out of chinook landing. And fish around the power lines. Wish I could fish the fishery but thats a long run in a boat that tops out about 25mph.

Full Throttle · 05-29-2005, 12:50 PM

I'm hearin ya too. Sometimes my passengers don't understand why I try to keep the boat off the dock even with the bumpers on. I've had way too many bumps on the dock only to find out that instead of hitting the dock guard, I've managed to catch a nail or screw that was exposed. I don't mind the minor scrapes and bruises, but the nails I could do without.

gottafish · 05-29-2005, 12:55 PM

Maybe they need help doing the repaires, maybe we could work a deal to do the work for free put in or something along those lines!! Worth a shot. Ya Think?

BillK · 05-29-2005, 12:56 PM

Have to agree, the docks are in bad shape, but the chemical "restrooms" are even worst. They are so bad, we have to stop by the Falls or Dalton Point on the way home.
BillK

Pete · 05-29-2005, 01:15 PM

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EastCreek · 05-29-2005, 01:57 PM

As per my gripe session...EC = T. Miller (Sorry Pete)

Seefood Man · 05-29-2005, 01:57 PM

I launched out of there only once.

I know it is closer for the folks in Oregon but I think a drive to the Bonneville ramp would be worth it.
Pete Grace

EastCreek · 05-29-2005, 02:08 PM

I should have read more clearly...Tom Miller

And yeah, one of the few things to maintain there are the porta-pottys....standing up it can be tolerated. Otherwise...not so much. However, I feel a fee should specifically fund the launch site, dock, road, gravel, launch, parking, etc.

If this happened to you, and your 35 thousand dollar sled, what would you do? What are we paying for? Not worth the insurance claim I could make...as I will pay for it by claiming. Didn't even get my 8 bucks handed back to me. If I'm paying to park, I'd like a spot in the parking lot. If I'm paying for the ramp / launch...I'd expect it to be reasonably maintained. I got neither. Sorry, but exposed under water steel is not what I call maintained. This is a heavily used and heavily funded site...still on the hot side...I'm working on that. Tom Miller

skybuster · 05-29-2005, 02:31 PM

I have used the launch and agree that it is not in the best shape. However I beieve that the launch is privately owned and operated. As with any other business that provides sub-par service you don't have to spend your money too launch there. Even when living in OR in the past I would use the Hamilton island ramp.

The problem is that all the ramps in that area have their own serious drawbacks. There is a lack of parking at all of them, and they all have problems during low water.

I heard a rumor a few years ago that the people that run the fishery petitioned the state for the permits to improve the ramp and facilities, but they were denied. Right now it is a simple case of supply and demand. They supply the only launch up there on the OR side, unless you put in at Rooster Rock and run up, so they can demand $8.00 a launch.

blacktail519 · 05-29-2005, 02:38 PM

Well, I'll be honest with ya... As far as the parking up there goes, Whenever ive gone and launched there, if I had to park a 1/4 mile away, I never payed the launch fee!! And will not pay it....... That's rediculous if you ask me.! And as far as the steel on the Dock, Thats a bummer indeed and i can understand your frustration......If they are going to charge ya, they best be suitable for safe and convenient boating alike.... Todd Harrell

Pete · 05-29-2005, 02:51 PM

I don't know why people insist on using the porta-lets. Up at the shed, where the tractors are parked, there are a couple nice rest rooms and showers with running water, sinks, and heat...and they have always been clean.

judyfish99 · 05-29-2005, 03:39 PM

You need to give a heads up to Sheila (but be nice!!!), she more than likely is not aware of the dock problem....yes, it is private and they were denied a permit to improve. Blame the ones who denied the permit.

fishinlady97140 · 05-29-2005, 03:48 PM

I flat out won't go there...because of the disrepair of the entire facility, potholed entry and the outrageous cost to launch, let alone the lack of parking spaces. Plenty of other fishing opportunities without using that place!
Caty Roemer

Keeper · 05-29-2005, 05:56 PM

We launched today (sun) and it only cost us $7

We actually drove around and launched in Washington one day and it cost us $5 to launch and another $3 on the toll bridge, plus the extra gas to drive there

Hey Pete: The nice bathrooms don't open until the campground does.

We heard they couldn't improve the dock area due to environmental reasons.

BTW-Five rods in the boat = 91 Shad in three hours

Diane Larsen

Stephany · 05-29-2005, 07:16 PM

I have to admit, we launch at the Fishery, and I am not too thrilled about it. BUT my problem is not only with the Fishery and their lack of porta-potty cleanings, parking, and launching issues. (By the way, I found the bathrooms up by the tractors....OH MUUUUUUUUUCH BETTER!!! and it FLUSHES!!

We are in a decision delima right now, actually...between bonniville Dam and Astoria. We are from the Albany area, and I tell ya what, at this point, I would rather drive the extra hours to get to Astoria and fish WIDE OPEN AREAS then to fish at bonniville where its bumper boats at the shad rack, (which we had an issue with last Thursday, some guy just had to CRUISE by us and knock our anchor off set, and we floated down river, lifted anchor and fished for sturgeon), ya get a oversized sturgeon on and ya have to worry about bumpin into other boats, because they are all hog tied next to each other or just down river a few yards. Running over anchor lines, fishing lines, etc. But my husband likes to fish there, so that is where I go at times too.

just my thoughts...

Stephany C.

EastCreek · 05-29-2005, 07:43 PM

On the positive..I took a dad, his 7 year old son, and 10 year old daughter (2nd time fishing for dad...1st time in the Ukraine...and 1st time for the kiddos) and they had a blast w/ the shad...maybe 40 in about an hour and a half w/ 3 rods. fun, fun, fun....may get around to pics if time
provides.

OK..so the place is private. Not getting funding? Again, Where does the $ go? There was a tire on the other side to prevent this. Not one on my side. The woman I spoke in the store / register was kind, and directed me to the manager.

That set aside...THEY WEREN'T AWARE? What are they payed to be aware of? It's a blatent issue on a high pressure / usage weekend. I informed them of the issue and it was written down on a pad of paper. I'd like to know if anything was done about it since then. If I owned the place, I'd have another tire on the corner before I left the complaining costomer left the lot. As for the funding, I bet my 8 bucks could pay for the tire on the corner.

EastCreek · 05-29-2005, 07:46 PM

Previous post: Tom Miller.

tomictime · 05-29-2005, 09:34 PM

How about a sign warning of exposed steel, wonder if they really trued very hard to improve if they have let everything go?

EastCreek · 05-30-2005, 07:22 PM

Back to the basics...Where does the $ go? What do you pay for?

Here's another one...at the Carver launch you pay on weekend and holidays from today (Memorial Day until whenver), but you don't have to pay the 3 bucks if you have a trailer on. Sweet...not really. Dump your boat and take your trailer to the take out, and then your "shuttle" has to pay 3 bucks due to no trailer.

I also needed to use the restrooms there this morning, but after I payed my fee, I found the bathrooms to be locked (not in use). Memorial Day!... afraid of the fine, but unable to use the restroom...

Still whining a bit....
tom miller

SandySteel · 05-30-2005, 09:34 PM

I would be curious how they wanted to "improve" the launch. Things are pretty tight in the gorge when it comes to increasing the size etc. of structures there.
I would be skeptical if the state had disallowed them to "maintain" the existing structure which is what this sounds like.
They likely wanted to increase the ramp slots and numbers of docks and if it was overly ambitious they likely turned them down for that.

But then again if you want to build an ugly casino in the middle of gorge... have at it! (sorry couldn't resist that one)

timinthegorge · 05-31-2005, 02:26 PM

I'm with SandySteel on this one. If their "improvements" meant throwin' a tire on an exposed piece of steel after the wood rotted, it wouldn't have been denied. And frankly, as far as I know, there's nothing preventing them from just replacing it, except money.

The Gorge Commission tells people what color they can paint their homes in the gorge. The Gorge is highly regulated, but not when it comes to replacing what was already there..... like an exposed steel dock. JMHO.

Tim Hopkinson

pksgundogs · 05-31-2005, 08:17 PM

So, I will play the devils advocate... If the Fishery was all spiffed out to satisfy the masses, it would be over run much more so than it is. I kinda like a rough launch with some ol timey character. My sled and tow vehicle both have plenty of dings from honest use. Somebody tie an old tire on the dock and call it good... I dont mind the pot holes and I can take a leak in my old camper...

Half fast Toyn · 06-01-2005, 05:33 AM

I cant imagine that the fishery is a money making operation. You people see it when the fish are in and the season is open. What about all the closures and simi closures that effect a guys business. The fishermen pour into a place that hasnt had but 10-20 boats launching out of it a day all winter..... and expect them to just be able to cater to the masses. Heck, if it was my place, id shut it all down build me a nice house and have my own boat launch...... And it might just happen if it ever goes up for sale.

Pete,
that shows you are one of the fishermen that only use the fishery during peak season....those flush toilets arent open except when campers are staying in the park...and they are supposed to be only for the campers...