Need some help here.

[artcarney_agr]

Dave, you know as well as I do that those with deep pockets get their way..... and I have a feeling they will. I think our largest argument should be that if the bill passes, then whatever brush is destroyed or dies off, there should be that much put back and then some, just like with any wetlands mitigation program. Regardless of the bill, our islands are eroding away rather quickly as it is, and we need some sort of counter measure right now! I know the Corps. of Engineers placed quite a few cypress trees in target areas in bays (Sledd Creek for example) in the past, but I really want to see that continue, especially on our eroding islands. There are islands I've duck hunted on three or four years ago and are now not there anymore!

Also, as far as the duck hunting goes, it's deteriorated not due to the erosion of the islands, but rather the weather patterns. When we're having 50+ degree days every few weeks up north, there's no reason for the ducks to come down. Hunting on the lake has not been very good since 2001!

From a duck hunting stand point, there needs to be about an extra foot of water in the winter anyways. The majority of the areas hunted on the main lakes are way too shallow to hunt effectively. I kill more ducks when the lake is up about a foot or two above winter pool.

Anyhow, maybe as a compromise, they should go half and half- keep the spring schedule the same, but extend the summer pool a little longer in the fall.

This is one of those wishy washy topics that has arguments to support both sides. But in all honesty, I don't think this bill would have a MAJOR impact on our fishery. There's plenty of lakes with very little buckbrush/cover on its banks and yet the fish are still there! Take a look at Taylorsville, Nolin, Rough River Lake, (probably a few more I'm forgetting) and tell me that there aren't quality fish in those lakes.....I sure don't remember seeing much buckbrush on those banks, and their summer/winter pool drawdown is a heck of a lot more than Ky and Barkley Lake! Fish have been on this earth a long time and have withstood much larger catstrophic events than a simple few extra feet of water for a few weeks...........however, this is just my opinion and by no means to be taken to heart by anyone................

[kent]

Hey Dave, have you thought about a petition to let the drawdown times stand? I`ll be at the boat show in Lexington and would be glad to sign. I`m sure a lot of others would too. Might also be a good way of getting the message to those who don't get on this board.

[Dave Stewart]

You really need to read the report on the study that was done concerning both the fisheries and the waterfowl to understand why leaving the water up would have a detrimental effect on them and also on the islands that you want to protect...which by the way are nesting areas for a lot of the waterfowl. It is all in the report.

Ky/Barkley is not Taylorsville, Nolin or Rough River any more than they are Cumberland or Rough River. Every lake has its own ecosystem of checks and balances. We have one of the premier bass and crappie fisheries in the nation in Ky/Barkley. I surmise that when the folks such as wildlife and fisheries biologists stand up and tell us that such and such an action is going to be harmful to the fisheries and wildlife that we should listen to them. I am more than willing to listen to anyone that has some scientific proof that the experts are wrong. So far all I am hearing from the opposition is ..."I don't think it will be a problem"

All I am asking anyone is to read the studies....make your decision..one way or the other...but make an INFORMED decision then show your action or inaction as you see fit. I myself will do what little I can, that is why this post is up here.

I would also like to post here for the record...it will take a number years for the detrimental effects of this decision to show up. By then it is too late. I would also like to add that by the time the effects do show up I will in all probability not be guiding any longer...I am getting older and don't expect to be guiding that many more years...but I feel would feel remiss if I just sat back and said "It won't matter to me"
Dave

[Dave Stewart]

kent: What you have is a very good idea and yes I have thought of it. Unfortunately I get paid to be there at the show so I am in effect working for a company. I would have to get a release from every sponsor of the Hawg Trough (which is a lot of big corporate sponsors) to use my position there to do this. At this point in time, if I could get them to sign a release, it would be too late to do so. Paperwork like that takes time...not that I don't think they would agree to it in the end but by the time I got permission all the way up the line I would be older and more grey headed than I am now(if that is possible...lol). Thanks for the suggestion though...it is a good one.

[Bineyj]

Dave

Spoke to my sister about the situation and you did the right thing by going to the town hall meeting. I was mistaken when I thought she attended the meeting back in September, she attended one on Coal with the COE at the same time, same area. In a nut shell, this is what I understood from her. If you’re against or for something call the offices in DC and the District to voice your opinion. She said told me that was the very best thing one could do.
As for the rest of us outside his district, I figure if your against this legislation call your Representatives to let them know how you feel about the situation, it might do some good. Enough calls showing people are against this should send a signal to vote against it. I plan on being at the Lex Boat show Friday night and will try and stop to meet you.

John

[RoadToad]

I plan on calling John Yarmouth's office tomorrow (502-582-5129) and voicing my opposition to this short-sighted legislation. Not just because I like to fish. In fact, the fishery would be only one of many victims of the environmental damage that moving the draw-down date back would cause. The arrangement in place is already a compromise. If environmental concerns were given top priority, then summer pool would only last until mid-June. As it is, they wait until after the Fourth of July Holiday to start drawing it down, to accommodate holiday boaters. Even if you consider money to be the overriding factor (which, of course, it usually is), the marginal benefits to "recreational boaters" and the businesses that cater to them would be more than offset by the losses to the industries that depend on a healthy ecosystem (fishing, hunting, um.... I'm sure there are others!).

I downloaded the report a week or so ago, and just got around to reading through it. It takes a while, but it's worth it.

[MsgMills]

I sent Mr. Whitfield an email concerning this post....But you know what...I got an email back from his Office that stated thanks for the email but since I am not a member of his District he will not respond to my email...... Only so much people outside the District can do.... Sorry I couldn't help more....

[RoadToad]

I sent Mr. Whitfield an email concerning this post....But you know what...I got an email back from his Office that stated thanks for the email but since I am not a member of his District he will not respond to my email...... Only so much people outside the District can do.... Sorry I couldn't help more....

There is one thing we can all do. When Congressman Whitfield's bill comes up for a vote, your Congressperson and mine will be voting on it. That's why I mentioned that I'm calling John Yarmuth. He's my Congressman, and I'm going to encourage him to vote against it. If enough Congresspeople (Congresspersons?) get enough calls, emails, etc., opposed to the bill, then hopefully it will be voted down. It really is a bad bill, and not just for fishermen. Oh, and BTW, the bill in question is H.R.6087.

Not sure who your Representative is? Go to this web site, fill in your info, and find out!
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

[ChampioNinKY]

This needs to be STOPPED! To stop this will take just a couple minutes of your time. So pitch in and let your Rep know how you feel.

Jerry Cole