Lake Casitas Inspection Policy

[Ron C]

This is straight from the Lake Casitas website (in pdf format) and is the exact same info that oakview posted below. It went into effect on 2-1-08, which is why I/we did not know about it at the 2-2-08 WON BASS tournament (I was already at the lake).

http://www.lakecasitas.info/documents/Q ... 020408.pdf

Inspection check list: http://www.lakecasitas.info/documents/Q ... 020408.pdf

[Lane]

Ron, This inspection protocol and procedure is CRAZY! For now the
only boats that should be denied access to the lake are boats that
have been in the Colorado River basin lakes and associated waters within the last 28 days. An established decontamination protocol could reduce that time to 7 days.

The California Game and Fish should establish proper inspection
protocols and procedures, then conduct the training and education
of inspectors. Park personel should be required to complete Quagga training before conducting inspections.

I think that every angler should boycott Lake Casitas until after the
next board meeting. Let them SEE AND FEEL THE RESULTS OF THE
ECONOMIC IMPACT BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.

[Ray L.]

I think they are feeling the impact since I cancelled my event for Sunday.
The loss of 52 anglers paying gate fees and also eating breakfast in the cafe. As well as many other purchases that would have been made that day.

[Brian Linehan]

I seriously doubt they felt the econimic impact due to 1 cancelled tournament. In my opinion, it's going to take a major boycott for them to take notice.

I'm all for boycotting Casitas until they figure this out. If WON, 100% BASS, ABA, and AC decided to reschedule all of their remaining events, I think they would probably notice.

Most importantly, if 70% of the bass fishermen (tournament and non-tournament alike) stopped going, they would definitely notice.

First, the concessions would suffer and Randy's business would plummet. Then would come layoffs to lake staff because the demand wouldn't be there.

Overall, I think a boycott is a damn good idea. I think it's also a good idea to write to the mayor of Ojai to express how you won't be spending any more revenue in the city because of Lake Casitas and their "knee jerk" reaction.

[2short]

I THINK THE WON TOURNY WENT GOOD AFTER WHAT HAPPEN AT CHECK IN. I THINK THIS IS (THEIR) FIRST STEP IN CLOSING ONE MORE LAKE TO FISHING. JUST LIKE THE CLOSING OF HAWIEE RES IN INYO COUNTY. ONE MORE BITE OUT OF OUR RIGHTS.....

[Kelly Ripa]

If you boycott now why would it change the economic impact? It has already been decided that $800,000 dollars is chump change and the Chamber of Commerece of Ojai is okay with the lake closure. If you stay away you'll just miss out on the last chance to be on the lake as a private boater....aside from that???????????

Just another brick in the wall.

[oakview]

Brian, I am with you brother...but thats what they want...At the last board meeting "they" were not phased when they found out they would lose around $800k in rec. and have to pay back $1.3m in grants....

Do I have a better idea...not really other than...video'n the whole experience at 4:30 in the morning with some local news crew...

I'm with you...I live 2 miles from the lake, haven't had my boat in another lake in over a year...fish the lake every weekend...I see the same rangers both days...and now I cant fish the lake...BECAUSE THERE WAS RAIN COMING OUT OF THE SKY!!!

The only thing I can do is drive 1300 miles to texas and try some different water...

I will try to get back in the lake in April...hopefully the gate is not locked and there is no rain falling out of the sky....

D.

[2short]

RAY I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THEY ARE FEELING THE IMPACT BUT I THINK NOT. ITS THE CAFE THAT WILL FEEL THE IMPAC MORE THEN THEM, AND THATS TO BAD.

[tlindy]

I picked the wrong week to fall in Castaic Lake. Word must have spread to the other lake...luckily I was clean and dry...

[Cmarkfish]

Hey guys,
I wrote the mayor and the Ojai newspaper and I did tell them that they are losing dollars and will keep losing money. I told them to take a good hard look around them. If they want us around they need to get involved.
chief

[Lane]

Oakview, I don't think that you will be disappointed when you come to Texas, we have EXCELLENT bass fishing!

The Casitas water board probably doesn't care if they lose the revenue, but I am sure that there are local businesses that will care. Motels, convience stores, eating establishments, etc. The effects of a widespread boycott WILL get their attention. I have read the minutes of their last meeting regarding the Quagga in January. I encourage anglers to do the same. I also understand that the board is more than concerned about the economic costs in dealing with a Quagga infestation. The impact has NOT been minimized by the scientific community, but we have a lot more information and much better methods of dealing with prevention and control of Quagga populations after 20 plus years of research. Most of the top Zebra and Quagga experts are located in the states that border the Great Lakes. The Casitas water board along with the California Game and Fish should be working with these experts, and other scientists in the private sector such as ourselves. Bottomline is that inspectors need to be trained by EXPERTS. They need to quickly and appropriately be able to identify what they are looking for. General terms such as debris, planting (refers to criminal activity), sandpaper, etc, are not appropriate terms for identification. This also confuses anglers and the general public as has been pointed out in the various threads. Casitas is not the only water district that has stepped over the line with irrational and irresponsible actions. There is a dangerous trend of unwarranted actions without having the facts. It is my recommendation that anglers refrain from using these facilities until the various water districts start closely working with the experts to establish proper protocol and procedures for inspection, decontamination ( Colorado River basin and all associated waters).

[Ray L.]

I gotta agree with you Lane....
Sorry guys this thing about working with them and trying to show them the actual facts is not working....
I guess I am just going to have to donate for legal fees.

[Toad]

If they are now inspecting the rear of the vehicle for water, debris, ect, then why aren't they inspecting every vehicle that rolls through the gate boat or no boat. Who's to say that a vehicle driving through the gate didn't launch a boat yesterday? Would they take there word? Sounds like this inspection should include all vehicles coming into the park. And those that are in the park right now, RV's ect.

[JW Wheat]

Well,

For those that know me, I keep my boat pretty prestine. Now I'm not sure I would make it into the lake. I'm pretty fed up with the whole thing and will not be going to Casitas until we come to some final resolution or they relax their incompetent inspection precedures. Now they want to inspect or tailgates, bumpers and spares? them Quaga muscles must be pretty sneaky! Every car, truck and bike in America has some sort of mud, (DEBRIS) underneath. I don't care how clean you get your rig, you will pick up grime and what not from the roads. DFG should set the guidelines for inspections and provide the proper training to the lake staff. Pine needles, leaves and grass or trash in your rod lockers? Come on! Pure paranoia. Casitas has made it damn near impossible for a boat and truck to pass inspection. This is just what they wanted. I say we need to boycot Casitas, stand in force as one and demand our rights to use public lands and waterways paid by us, the Tax payers of the United States. This does not only affect us fishermen, but every business owner who depends on us. I understand why they need the inspections. Not a problem. Just relax the inspections and be more practical. Get the DFG more involved in educating the lake staff on what to look for.

Don't quarantee someone for 28 days because they showed when it was raining, or had a leaf in their locker. If it's raining, send them home. Leaves? Asked them to remove it.

Jon Wheat

[mark poulson]

As I posted a year ago, if they're serious about keeping the mussel out, they'd set up pressure washing stations at the lakes, with a solution that kills the mussel. Blast the hulls and livewells. Fill the bilge until it comes out of the drain hole. We'd all wipe down the boat with whatever they wanted, and probably gladly pay a $5 surcharge for the equipment and chemicals. That way they'd be sure any boat launching was properly disinfected, and not have to rely on the honesty of anybody.