Interstate Towing

Just to be clear, I agree with Foggy on this one. While I'll do what I can reasonably to help slow the spread, I doubt there is any efficient way to keep the various species from continuing to spread. I suspect the spread into Lake Mead wasn't just from one boat. And so many of our lakes and streams are connected. I'm just not sure the state inspections along the highways are doing an effective job, but rather just making it a hassle to trailer through those states. The wash down stations at the lake entry and exit points are probably more effective. Colby
 
Colby,
When the first Zebra and Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead (2007), the only way the infestation could have gotten there was from a contaminated boat from the East. In 2006 the further most West contamination was in the watershed of the Arkansa River, a few spots in OK, and Ks. Over a thousand miles. Along the I 10 / I 40 corridors. Directly would have been the Mississippi River, and over 1500 miles. The most likely culprit would be a bass boat, probably a tournament fisherman, who either did not completely dry his bilge, or bait tank and rushed from one tournament to another, as they do. There was no concerted effort at that time to stop the spread into the West. Once established in the Colorado River system--boom, it blossomed.

There is this thing called the Continual Divide, which was a natural barrier to prevent the infestation from the East going West. This was easily breached by man and his trailerable boats.

Just because there is no known antidote for the mussels at this time is not a reason to be reckless and propagate more spread. In fact all of the more reason to prevent it!

Yes there is some inconvenience at many "stops" along the way. There are a very limited number of routes into many of the Western States (May not be realized by folks who do frequent these areas), because of natural barriers, such as deserts and steep mountain ranges.) But this limited access does allow for natural "choke points"--used frequently looking for illegals, criminals, drug traffic etc. We all have to accept these as part of our way of life. When stopped, be co-operative, smile and thank those folks for a job you would most likely not enjoy.

Colby, I don't recall your incident with the inspector in Cody--Did he arrest you and impound the boat? What was the great inconvenience?

You make an analogy about the TSA inspections--I agree that they are probably ineffective, and a real pain. (in more ways than one for me). But do you have some better solution? Same for the invasive species. Mussels are only one. We have a number in Florida, which are also major problems--caused by reckless and irresponsible people.

What these discussions, and the boat checks do, is to hopefully make us more aware of the problem, and encourages us to do what each one of us can to prevent the problem. If one chooses not to do this; I feel it is a bad choice--but my opinion is worth very little.
 
Bob, you have the right attitude about prevention and spread of invasive species.
You are not the "rotten apple" that spoils it for the rest of us. But, if everyone did
exactly as you think and say they should be doing, it does not solve the problem
of spreading. It may slow it down, I don't know. I do know a good attitude helps
on a soapbox when you have avid listeners but it is of no value for a solution.

Your statement about how Lake Meade was contaminated in 2007 by a bass boat
is pure bunk. Unless you have confirmation of this rather than it coming from
your imagination, you should retract it or say it is your opinion.
Why do you want to introduce guessing games into this serious problem?

People giving (well meaning) opinions that may or may not be based on facts
worsens the mindset of interested parties not knowing the difference and adds no
validity to the topic.

Aye.
 
Foggy, though I don't always agree with Bob, there is no one on this site who's opinions I respect or appreciate their being given more than him & your continual hostility to them has grown very tiresome to me. Bob simply stated he felt the most likely culprit for contaminating Lake Mead was a bass boat & though of course it's speculative, it's also concretely based on a lifetime of education & experience to make it worthy of consideration in this discussion, whether agreed with or not.

Jay
 
Hunkydory":1j57mvvg said:
Foggy, though I don't always agree with Bob, there is no one on this site who's opinions I respect or appreciate their being given more than him & your continual hostility to them has grown very tiresome to me. Bob simply stated he felt the most likely culprit for contaminating Lake Mead was a bass boat & though of course it's speculative, it's also concretely based on a lifetime of education & experience to make it worthy of consideration in this discussion, whether agreed with or not.

Jay
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I can read. It says, "the most likely culprit". Cut it anyway you want.
This is guessing, pure BS. You buy it. I don't.

Guessing about spread of invasive species does nothing to help solve
the problem. Even if correct, it doesn't help and doesn't matter since
you can't stop'em all.

Aye.
 
Bob, regarding the anal inspector in Cody, No arrest, no impoundment. Just imagine a Barney Fife kind of guy wetting himself over a boat from an area with lots of zebra mussels. He was determined to find something, and while trying to be pleasant and polite, just kept talking about hoping he wouldn't find anything because then we'd have to decontaminate, and the closest place was closed until Monday. This of course was on Saturday. After about 45 minutes, and finding nothing, he sealed me up, gave me some paperwork, and reluctantly sent me on my way. I think I ruined his day in that he didn't find anything... (Mind you, this was on my way out of the state, with no launching within his state.) :roll: BTW, I was very chatty with him also. Just sharing about the boat as he also had the usual "cute boat" questions we all get. As with a lot of stuff, I think reasonable and appropriately effective should be what we are after. It's reasonable to expect one to drain their bilge and flush their boats. Drying for 30-45 days is a little extreme. I'm doing my part by contacting every state I'm planning to drive through in advance to try and learn what their rules/regulations are, so I can play by their rules. A few of the inspections I went through on my way out to Seattle were a joke. But then the guy in Cody made up for all of those, being just a little over the top. (Would he really know a larvie if he could see one?) Colby
 
Wandering Sagebrush":2rgw4a28 said:
Hunkydory":2rgw4a28 said:
Foggy, though I don't always agree with Bob, there is no one on this site who's opinions I respect or appreciate their being given more than him & your continual hostility to them has grown very tiresome to me. Bob simply stated he felt the most likely culprit for contaminating Lake Mead was a bass boat & though of course it's speculative, it's also concretely based on a lifetime of education & experience to make it worthy of consideration in this discussion, whether agreed with or not.

Jay
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I have to agree, and now it's time to look at the "Just be nice".

Fairbro, It's not the "Site". Or sign on the times.

I've been around this site for a few years, and 99.99999% of the time it works well. The other time, the person withdrew.

That's not what I'm proposing but It seems like a good look at the rule that makes the place work needs to be considered here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's how they express it or share it that says a lot about them.

Sorry a good discussion has gone this route.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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My last post on the subject:

I wrote
The most likely culprit would be a bass boat, probably a tournament fisherman, who either did not completely dry his bilge, or bait tank and rushed from one tournament to another, as they do.
Click to expand...

Note I said "most likely"--and "probably". These are the type of boats which go from tournament to tournament, would be unlikely to drain their bilge, or empty the several bait tanks the boats have on the boats. The type of boat lends its self to areas which are not easily cleaned or drained. They travel quickly. It would not be unusual to have a tournament in Arkansa one week, and drive to Lake Mead for a tournament a week later. I see these guys often, since there are bass in the bayou behind my home--we have tournament fishermen there on occasion, and I talk with them about their travels. It could be some other type of boat--but I do believe that this is most likely. It is very possible that larvae were introduced in 2006 and not the mature mussel was not noticed until 2007.

Perhaps if the states had been more proactive 10 to 15 years ago, there would not have been the spread. But it is still not too late to prevent spread and economic damage in some states.

The invasive species are a very serious problem. Not only involving fresh water species. We have the invasion of the lion fish in FL, and along the Gulf Coast--and it is impacting the native fisheries. All we can do to prevent these are in the best interest of all boaters--and citizens.
 
thataway":2u1zuhtk said:
My last post on the subject:

I wrote
The most likely culprit would be a bass boat, probably a tournament fisherman, who either did not completely dry his bilge, or bait tank and rushed from one tournament to another, as they do.
Click to expand...

Note I said "most likely"--and "probably". These are the type of boats which go from tournament to tournament, would be unlikely to drain their bilge, or empty the several bait tanks the boats have on the boats. The type of boat lends its self to areas which are not easily cleaned or drained. They travel quickly. I see these guys often, since there are bass in the bayou behind my home--we have tournament fishermen there on occasion, and I talked with them about their travels. It could be some other type of boat--but I do believe that this is most likely.

The invasive species are a very serious problem. Not only involving fresh water species. We have the invasion of the lion fish in FL, and along the Gulf Coast--and it is impacting the native fisheries. All we can do to prevent these are in the best interest of all boaters--and citizens.
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Bob, just a quick note to say i appreciate your perspectives, and your willingness to share. You're always willing to help, and I've learned much from you over the years.

Kindest Regards,

Steve
 
Wandering Sagebrush":1qe3i8qz said:
Hunkydory":1qe3i8qz said:
Foggy, though I don't always agree with Bob, there is no one on this site who's opinions I respect or appreciate their being given more than him & your continual hostility to them has grown very tiresome to me. Bob simply stated he felt the most likely culprit for contaminating Lake Mead was a bass boat & though of course it's speculative, it's also concretely based on a lifetime of education & experience to make it worthy of consideration in this discussion, whether agreed with or not.

Jay
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