It would be an understatement to say, that this is going to be a high water year. Recent rains have sent the lake levels soaring and caused flooding through out the region. It will take a long time for the Corps of Engineers to lower the lake levels and it looks like we are going to be fishing from a boat for a long time. There will be more anglers fishing from boats in the coming months and a lot of them will be new to boating in the river. There are a few basic rules of boating etiquette that will make this increase in boating pressure go much more smoothly.
Every thing begins at the ramp. The basic rule is, do not hog the ramp. At certain times, early in the morning and late afternoon, our ramps can get quite busy as anglers begin and end their day. Prepare your boat for launching before you back down the ramp. Insert in your plug, connect the gas line, rig your rods, and load your gear in the parking lot. Only when everything is ready, do you back down the ramp and launch your boat. Load your passengers and clear the ramp so that others may use it.
The same is true for loading your boat at the end of the day. I remember waiting for another guide to clean his clients days catch while sitting in his boat at the ramp effectively denying its use to any one else for several minutes. If you have to do something like this, pull off to the side of the ramp and do it there. When you are finished back your car down the ramp, load quickly and clear the ramp. Removing your plug, unloading your boat, securing your motor and all of the other tasks to prepare the boat for the drive home can be done in the parking lot out of the way of others wanting to use the ramp.
There will be some new boaters out there that have never backed down a ramp or loaded a boat onto a trailer before. Be patient. Offer constructive criticism or maybe even help them. We were all there at one time or another. They will appreciate your assistance.
Once under way, pass other boats with care, particularly if the occupants are fishing. If you pass another angler that is actively fishing, slow down so that you do not cause a wake to interfere with their fishing. Give other anglers a wide berth, do not crowd them. Try and determine which side of the boat they are fishing from and pass on the other side. Do not run your boat over their lines. In addition to possibly fouling up your motor, you probably will not make any friends.
Do not anchor in or otherwise clog the main channel. This is of greater importance at lower water levels. There will be choke points on the river which are the only places where a boat can get through a certain section of river. If you anchor your boat in these spots you will limit others ability to navigate the river and you might get run over.
Wait your turn. There are certain times when several anglers are working the same water. An example of this is during the shad kill when a lot of anglers are concentrated in the Catch and Release section just below Bull Shoals dam. They motor up stream near the dam and drift down. The proper thing to do is motor up and wait your turn to begin your drift down. You should not drop in below another boat and interfere with their drift.
Keep the noise down. I have been on the river enjoying the natural beauty of the area only to have my solitude disturbed by another boat playing a boom box very loud. Just because you like Toby Keith does not mean that every one else does. Enjoy your loud music in the privacy of your own home.
Take these suggestions to heart and the river will be a pleasant place to be.
