There is a way to fix the problem stump issue on lake Fork
Years ago I had a meeting with the SRA about the problem stumps
Looked up a contractor that cuts stumps and gave them the waypoints to all the problem
Stumps they seemed like they were going to do it at the time
But nothing every happened ,I was hoping they where going to do it when they had a contractor
Here Too cut the lane for the new ramp,,,,, didn’t happen
So we can do it ourselves
The contractor at the time cost was 3000.00 Probably more now to get his equipment here then
350-450 per stump and there was a break down cost also can’t remember exactly
I would say there are 25 problem stumps 25x450 11,250 +4000. Roughly 15,000 and if business that need stumps
Cleaned out now would be a good time when have contractor here set up
And that’s bringing two pontoon boats up there have chains that drop down to a bar and they drag that bar till they hit the stump and then a diver with a hydraulic chainsaw goes to the bottom cuts the stump off at the base and then they take that stump to the shoreline and dispose of it so it will be gone forever

Is there a possibility that we could get enough donations from fisherman and businesses and homeowners to get this done?
If so I volunteer to coordinate the contractor and give him the way points of the problem stumps
I would need someone to handle collecting the funds and paying the contractor

The other Alternative is to cut the stumps now while the lake is low in Mark with PVC
The problem with that is you have a flat stump at six foot low which would be great when the lake is up
Not so much when it is Fluctuating

The best thing that could happen is the lake Remains low or even lower for a couple years so Brush can grow up and willow trees can grow up but the stumps need addressed
Could do a go fund me account
Let me know what you think
Thank
Lance

Most locals know where the "widow makers" are...I've been on Fork for 13 years with 3 different boats and haven't had a severe
encounter yet. I am the most cautious person I know on the lake. But. I'm in no hurry, can fish when I want, and always have my wife in the boat,..so we take it easy. Problem I see are weekend warriors, and non residents who are in a hurry, jumping from spot to spot,
guys running to and from weigh-ins, and running out of the 'safe' areas...I have dozens of skull and cross bone waypoints on my graphs.
Just like your boatlanes has some also...we know where and where not to go....mostly.

True
It would seem the SRA a would have a Interest in it as they are building a giant ramp to bring more people

I don't understand wanting to remove any stumps from a lake that already gets raped and needs all the cover it can get....I hope it stays 8' for 18 months....be awesome for the lake

I would donate.

HMMMMMM...I'll donate if we get an updated chip and the SRA moves the bouys to their true location. So many variables on Fork...I just take my time in areas I don't know.

He’s talking about removing “25 problem stumps” in a lake that has THOUSANDS of trees. And these are STUMPS…not full blown trees, and don’t give all that much cover in the first place. And somehow you think this will drastically effect fishing??

Some of you guys just sound like locals that don’t want people fishing “your” lake. What kind of people dub these hazards literally as “widow makers” but can’t see the good sense in taking very minor measures to make a lake that isn’t exactly a secret safer for us all? I’d personally give my worst enemy the coordinates to every stump I know about before I pulled his drain plug at the ramp…the one thing I hope we all get out of every trip is back home safe. Are y’all the same fellas that promote the outdoors, taking kids fishing, etc.??? Guess that’s all fine and good unless someone is fishing your precious honey hole that you think you still have all to yourself out there. Gimme a break!

Are they really building the new ramp to “bring more people in” or just finally provide a long overdue decent event hosting facility? Either way, Fork already has lanes.. spend that money resetting the buoys where they’re supposed to be and call it good, IMHO.

$25 a person would only take 600 fisherman to donate

Sounds good to me

Says Ben with his new boat behind his truck!

You make a great argument.

I'm in. Don't need another hole in my boat.

Thank you Mr. Lance for offering to do this for the lake… I’m only 14 but showed this to my mom & dad who said they would be glad to contribute to this cause… This could literally save someone from getting injured & damaging their boat… please keep us informed if your able to move forward with this and count us in on contributing for the greater good…

It would help if they would just put the buoys back in the right place

Would donate as well and can someone put coordinates to the known Widow Makers
On this post ? Would be great to have some information
To keep anglers safe!!