07-03-2006, 10:18 PM
[cool][#0000ff]It's the old story. Those in boats do not think float tubers are serious fishermen so they do not deserve respect. It always seems to be the story that the guy with the largest craft has the right of way. To heck with courtesy. And, in my experience, I have probably had more "friendly encounters" with boating anglers than with water skiers. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I would be happy to meet you up there and show you the spot, but it is easy enough that you should have no problem finding it yourself. With your new toon, you would find it a lot better for launching than going up over the levee. It is probably also a better spot to fish in many cases. And, even though there is some boating traffic, there is no place on the lake that is completely free of it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As you come under the freeway, after making the exit for the North Marina, you have four choices. 1. You can turn left onto the onramp and go south on the freeway. 2. You go past the onramp and turn left (south) to go into the North Marina. 3. You can drive into the ranger facilities (closed to the public, but there is a road). 4. Just to the right of the road into the ranger buildings is a dirt road leading up onto the north dike. Take that one.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The dike parking is $3, but if you have a pass it is covered. Park near the gate and go through the access opening in the fence. Within a few feet there is a short path down off the dike and onto a weed-covered flat, across to the (paid) campground area. You can see an opening in the shoreline trees and brush that campers use to park their boats and PWC. You will also see the pavement and a set of restrooms.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The small launch area is a nice clean sand but you have to work your way out through some flooded brush. There is a pretty wide hole in it, but you need to watch your rods. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Actually, if you have a lot of gear to launch, like TubeBabe and I usually do, you can drive in the campground and stay around to the right until you come to that area. It is okay to park and unload your stuff from the back dirt road into the ranger facilities, but you can't leave your vehicle there. After we unload, I drive the car back up onto the dike to park it. It is tricky learning to navigate the winding one-way street in the campground, but worth it to save carrying all your gear those extra steps...and you don't have to take it down the hill...and back up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I would be happy to meet you up there and show you the spot, but it is easy enough that you should have no problem finding it yourself. With your new toon, you would find it a lot better for launching than going up over the levee. It is probably also a better spot to fish in many cases. And, even though there is some boating traffic, there is no place on the lake that is completely free of it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As you come under the freeway, after making the exit for the North Marina, you have four choices. 1. You can turn left onto the onramp and go south on the freeway. 2. You go past the onramp and turn left (south) to go into the North Marina. 3. You can drive into the ranger facilities (closed to the public, but there is a road). 4. Just to the right of the road into the ranger buildings is a dirt road leading up onto the north dike. Take that one.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The dike parking is $3, but if you have a pass it is covered. Park near the gate and go through the access opening in the fence. Within a few feet there is a short path down off the dike and onto a weed-covered flat, across to the (paid) campground area. You can see an opening in the shoreline trees and brush that campers use to park their boats and PWC. You will also see the pavement and a set of restrooms.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The small launch area is a nice clean sand but you have to work your way out through some flooded brush. There is a pretty wide hole in it, but you need to watch your rods. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Actually, if you have a lot of gear to launch, like TubeBabe and I usually do, you can drive in the campground and stay around to the right until you come to that area. It is okay to park and unload your stuff from the back dirt road into the ranger facilities, but you can't leave your vehicle there. After we unload, I drive the car back up onto the dike to park it. It is tricky learning to navigate the winding one-way street in the campground, but worth it to save carrying all your gear those extra steps...and you don't have to take it down the hill...and back up.[/#0000ff]
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