I can't help but comment on Bill Monroe's column in the Sunday Oregonian today. It was about Diamond Lake, a place near and dear to my heart. The topic is raising the boats speed limit to 45 to allow for water skiing.
Our family, and extended family has been going there for 56 years, for family get togethers, every summer. And I mean EVERY summer! We rent a line of cabins on the lake, and as far back as I can remember, we rose early, before the sun was up, to get my Grandfather out on the lake to fish. My Grandfather taught me my love for fishing. It was serious business. I'll never forget the quiet cool mornings, when the lake was like glass, and the chipmunks would be scattering about looking for leftover breakfast, and you could smell my Grandmothers breakfast, bacon, hot cakes, and trout, and fresh berries she brought from her farm in Forest Grove. The thing I want to get across here, is QUIET.
The fishing in Diamond Lake, as we all know by now, is not like it was. No longer do I see people come from their boats with stringers of large trout. In the past years we would sit in the boat for hours with no luck. The charter boat used to follow our boat around because we knew where the fish were, and we were proud of that! Two Potskees (sp? I forget!) and a cheese egg. That'll get um every time! 2 lb. test, and the smallest little hook you could find.
Long gone is my dear Grandfather, and the early morning fishing trips, but our family insists on keeping the tradition alive for the grandkids. It is our heritage to keep this going. I was proud of our family vacations, and the memories I have of padding to the little store for penny candies, and I want my kids to grow up knowing and playing with their cousins, and I hope when they grow up, they do the same with their children.
But I cannot, CANNOT in my wildest imagination think of rising out of my bed and feeling my feet hit the cold floor and hear jet boats on this body of water!
Don't get me wrong! When we go to Diamond Lake now, there is very little fishing. And although we do bring the fishing boat, and the kids all have poles to play with, we do bring ski boats also. It is our new tradition to all pack into a couple of cars and drive with the ski boats to Lemolo and find an island to water-ski, wake board, and picnic at. This has become the new thing to look forward to. It saddens me that that is our new recreation, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy it at Lemolo though. NOT at Diamond Lake.
I don't know how I feel about poisoning Diamond again. I am not educated on it enough to have an opinion. I do want the fish back, of that I am sure. I do not want jet boats on Diamond Lake, of this I am sure also!
I can just see my Grandfather in a rage over this!
Diamond Lake is peaceful, with it's breathtaking views of Mt. Thielson and Mt. Bailey. I can't imagine walking the trails with my kids to the old fish hatchery and hearing the roar of jet engines on the lake. ugh! PLEASE!
I understand that Diamond Lake is having financial troubles. I know this because I pay 120 some dollars for a very unimproved cabin on the lake! I actually can't even afford it most years, so I call up the office and play the piano in the dining room in exchange for my children's and my stay. It works out rather well, and I meet some very interesting traveling folks. And as I look out of the Thielson dining room and see the quiet peaceful lake it sets the mood for beautiful music. What would I play if I saw jet boats? Led Zeppelin?
I must be getting old fashioned. I must be getting just plain old. But as for me, I vote no on the water-skiing idea.
Too many memories. In this case, I guess I am a tree hugger.

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