Local MWD won't issue permit for guide/rental biz. Need Help

[Scott E.]

I'm trying to start a bass guide/bareboat charter business on a lake here in Southern CA, but the MWD has told me flat out that even though they can't produce ANY document that shows there is an agreement with existing marinas on the lake stating that marinas have the sole right to rent boats or have fishing guides, they will not issue me a business commerce permit.

The MWD general manager told me it's cheaper to fight me (if I file a writ of mandate, which they don't believe I will do because of the cost/time involved, and to be truthful, It doesn't make sense since I've been told it will take thousands of dollars and a couple/few years to resolve in court) than to fight the marinas who will sue MWD if they issue me one. It's a public lake, free launching at two public launch ramps. G.M. says I won't be permited to launch if I'm conducting business (Quagga inspections as well, which I will "fail" and if somehow I do manage to launch, I will be ticketed). I can meet all their requirements (Million dollar liability policy of insurance, CA fish and game guide license, and bonded). Is there an easier/cheaper/less time consuming way to get them to let me do business? It's a small town and people involved with lake ops know me and I plan on heavily marketing my business so I'd stick out like a sore thumb, so "sneaking" is out of the question. I want to do this the right way!

There is a couple that operates a hot dog cart at the launch ramps that were issued a permit to do so. Also, a group of off site kayak/canoe rental outfits won the right through meetings with marina operators and the MWD (short of litigation), to rent and deliver kayaks/canoes to above the waterline, but may not "launch" the vessels into the water for their customers, or conduct any on the water instruction or paddletours. They "agreed" to this to avoid litigation. The G.M. came out in the local paper 2 years ago and said business commerce permits would be available the following year, but these permits are not available and the G.M. says they don't plan on issuing these permits in the foreseable future.

I'm thinking I'll contact my congressman and approach it from that angle, but will that help or just waste more of my time?

I thought this was America, where entrepreneurs were supposed to be encouraged, and a guy with a legit, legal business idea should be allowed to pursue his/her dream. Apparently not...

Any suggestions would be appreciated, Scott

[JamesH]

It sounds like a bunch of bull on many levels but just like the MWD manager said....it's all about the risk versus the reward. Is the risk of losing the money and time to fight this battle worth the reward of winning in court and being able to start your business.
My guess would be no but and that's what they are betting too....

James

[fish_food]

I thought this was America, where entrepreneurs were supposed to be encouraged, and a guy with a legit, legal business idea should be allowed to pursue his/her dream. Apparently not...

The entrepreneurs who wanted to open and operate a marina business pursued their dream. Now that they've got their slice of the pie, they don't want anyone else to horn in!

[smpboy]

i thought all u had to do was go though the dfg with your guide permit and be insured and u where good to go on any lake in cali but maybe iam wrong

[Obi-Hub]

i thought all u had to do was go though the dfg with your guide permit and be insured and u where good to go on any lake in cali but maybe iam wrong

Yes, you are wrong. Some lakes also have specific requirements based on who "manages" them.

[GW]

did you actually talk to the marina operators yourself to see if that is fact? If so maybe they will help you find a way around it or work with you?

[Takedown]

Scott;
You are better off, just moving on.
I would not give any of them the time of day.
There are plenty of lakes that would welcome a new vender and guide business.
Don`t blame the Fish & Game, they are just trying to read what the lake managers have shown them.

The State of Ca. welcomes all avenues of raising and the collection of moneys.
Just look at all the Tournament fishing permits they sell.

[Kelly Ripa]

It appears that Casitas staff is starting to sniff around and they are listing their guides. I asked what that meant and at the time 3 months ago it meant nothing other than they wanted to know who was operating on the lake....I had to give up the guide thing for different reasons here as it is not a friendly atmosphere to try and work into. If that row looks to long to hoe it's because they will match ya dollar for dollar until your gone. Sometimes a great notion is all it becomes when they play hardball like that. Sorry for your angst....good luck with your decision.

[Scott E.]

did you actually talk to the marina operators yourself to see if that is fact? If so maybe they will help you find a way around it or work with you?

Yes I have, and they don't want me doing it on my own, (they'll sue mwd) and the two I have formaly approached won't let me in their marinas so far. They are "afraid" that my boat/operation/customer service will make theirs look "bad". I've got two more to try and convince (lotsa luck to me). If I can't get in with one of them, I'm left to my above problem. Just tryin' to have possible solutions to possible upcoming problems.

[Scott E.]

Scott;
You are better off, just moving on.
I would not give any of them the time of day.
There are plenty of lakes that would welcome a new vender and guide business.
Don`t blame the Fish & Game, they are just trying to read what the lake managers have shown them.

The State of Ca. welcomes all avenues of raising and the collection of moneys.
Just look at all the Tournament fishing permits they sell.

I understand this well. The problem for me is I live in a remote area with 1 lake and won't move until my daughter graduates high school (almost 3 years). I've got to try and make this work here for now. If I can't, then I'm off to Texas in 2014 and will do it there.

[Kelly Ripa]

hey there ya go Scott Texas It's a rush putting people on fish that I didn't expect and a different sort of day on the water for sure. Good luck where ever you get it dun

[split172]

Just give your clients a free trip to that lake and ask they chip in for costs at end of day (Whatever you actually charge). Just buddies going fishing!

[smpboy]

gota be away around this how about attending a city coucil meeting or talking to the mayor to see what they can do for u iam sure the local city would love to support your business which would attract local revenue.

[Scott E.]

gota be away around this how about attending a city coucil meeting or talking to the mayor to see what they can do for u iam sure the local city would love to support your business which would attract local revenue.

That's a great idea! I will do that! Thank you!