I talked to Jim Rumann (TD) just a bit ago and the lake has been picked.  Ill start a new thread  (Jack and Jill tourneyment ) and relay what he said, incase people arent looking at 4 pages!!!!!

My FINAL thought,
  Thank you Chuck, for not allowing this conversation to be opened up at the meeting.  Nearing it's 4th page now, I think we leave it up to the TD to decide, isn't that why we pay him!  Ha Ha.  Staying up half the night listening to a campground yell about a concert doesn't sound like much fun to me.  Jimmy, GETRDUN!!!!!!!

Banks was a great treat last year.  Nice place, fisherman friendly people, and fishing was great.  I say Banks.
No disrespect meant to those who like those sorts of gigs, either, I just don't want to deal with them on my precious time off.  Although hanging around 10,000 parrot heads and Jimmy Buffet could be a "buzzin" time.

Well that sort of stuff would convince me to go somewhere else. I'm just saying the fishing should be good. If the accomodations will suck (especially for the ladies) then I can agree with a change. I just remember Stu saying he wasn't comfortable with running the boat and the numbers of fish and I don't think that will be an issue. If there are reasons then I have open ears. I love Potholes, but wouldn't mind seeing some new water. Are Banks, Rosy and Potholes the only alternatives?

Oh yeah, I forgot. My good friend is the head of Search, Rescue, and RECOVERY(Stu) over there. He says that summer is always their busiest time over there. First body of water with sun. All the Seattle and Bellevue dudes hittin it up. He says there will be hundreds of boats up river were they cannot be seen from the roads. Huge A@# parties.

Maybe we should leave it

I don't know if the issue is the number of fish at Vantage. I have fished it. I blanked, but I would try it again.

I am picturing camping at Vantage with 500+ parrot heads or Lala Palousees or, god forbid, 50 cent and his hand full of pocket change. I am thinking that the accomidations may be tough on some of the people. Way over east we have a nice campground that has little to no "non fishing parties". People are fairly comfortable with the waters and facilities.

I see Rob's point about not changing it. Some people may want to hit new water so they can experience something new. I think that would be great for a points deal. For this tourney, it should be set aside to show the ladies a good time and catch lots of fish. It's the only tourney that most of the wives participate in.

Mike

The last post on this from me would be the concern I have due to the concerts at the gorge.  That is a big show week-end and if ever there was a rough crowd around Vantage, that is the time and they are EVERYWHERE!!  Trust me on this.

I have been to Vantage once and barely went anywhere and caught good fish. The issue of low fish numbers to me, isn't an issue. It hardley gets pressure and has tons of fish. the temps stay cooler even inJuly and should be good fishing. My vote would be to stay with it and give it a chance.

Crap, that's funny, Terry.

I just can't live up to the ego that goes along with owning a yellow boat 

Chris

I want be fishing either with no boat, but I have fished Vantage many times when I had the boat, it is a great place to go, at least Carla and I thought so. I caught plenty of fish, and never really had any issues with skiers for the most part, no problems running..there is one area you need to be aware of, and there are a couple of camp grounds on Vantage..


Ted

That's funny Stu.  I was over at Nixon's last weekend and saw a big yellow banana with Daryl's name on it.

Nice boat BTW!

I am a little hesitant to fish Vantage since I am such a rookie with the boat, but I am more concerned about having a low or no fish weekend if they aren't running water and staying at a loud party campground and having a crappy time on a weekend where my wife and I are getting a babysitter and are supposed to be having fun.

So, that's why we brought up this change idea, because several people expressed the same issues. I was the one willing to take the hit in the meeting to get the ball rolling. I don't have a problem with the ribbing to get the job done. (What am I saying, they'd tease me anyway...)

Spoke to Rumann today and he is going to call the F&W folks to see if we can make the change. I think the  odds are pretty good for Banks or Roosevelt. We didn't get to fish Roosevelt for the J&J last year, so I'm up for it or Banks again.


PS: Hey Daryl. it's funny that you mentioned it. I did have a dream - that my boat turned into a huge bright yellow banana and my wife was out driving it while I was stuck at home mowing the lawn and doing laundry. 


Stu

well i am not 100% sure on this, but if you double book banks in july with another club i think you may be able to get the permits

I don't think it's the fear of running Vantage (well maybe for some of us -- with good reason )  It's more about what Mike said.  We need a place that the gals can catch fish along with their guys.  I would really like to see the gals that don't fish regularly do well and have a good time, as that may encourage them to participate in more club events. 

I have looked at the WDFW 2006 contest permits, as I'm sure the rest of you have, and it looks like there are already 2 tournament weekends on Potholes in July (7/1-2 & 7/8 ) and also 2 tournament weekends on Banks for July (7/15-16 & 7/22-23).  Roosevelt does not have any tournaments scheduled for July according to their list at this time.  So if we stick with the current dates for the J & J tournament of 7/29-30--Lake Roosevelt would be the one available (of the alternate sunshine 8) lakes suggested on this forum)

This would be according to the Fishing Contest WAC 232-12-168 (5) (e) * No more than four weekend days per month nor more than two weekends per month may be scheduled on any water when contestants fish at the same time, and are allowed to fish from boats.

Are there exceptions to these Fishing Contest's legal requirements? I'm sure most of you know more about this than I do.

Andrea

People said these would be the lakes they would like if they were to change. Nobody has said if they actually want it changed or not. Are people that worried about running Vantage?