OK, It's been a week since last Saturday night, the 20th. That is when the thieves made another major run on Lake Fork. I know some of the fisherman that had equipment stolen read the forum and will find this interesting.

First of all before I tell my story, I know I will catch some slack for letting them go.

Let's start on Thursday morning. About 8:00 I headed out to check out some new spots. My second cast my rod went overboard in about 30' foot of water. When I reached for it my hand slipped and in I went. Got the rod and reel back but busted 2 ribs and hurt my side really bad. I was done for the day.

I was able to fish the Skeeter Tournament Saturday, but in a whole lot of pain. Saturday night I took a pain pill and went to bed. Still couldn't sleep. At 2:00-2:30 AM I was sitting on the steps to the trailer in my white undies. I saw 2 men walk below my trailer. I went back to see what they where doing and why they where there. They said they were going to get their rods and were going fishing. They just kept walking. It just didn't feel right. As they went around the corner and I couldn't see them, I turned and got my gun and took off on my golf cart to see where they went. As I am heading up the hill they were coming out into view. I went right between them on the road cutting one of them off. The one on the left went into the woods and I lost site of him. The other couldn't go anywhere. I told him I wasn't finished talking to him and wanted to know what they were doing in our park at night. Oh, I made sure he knew I had a gun, 2' foot from his face. He said they were camped in spot 17 and it was too hot to sleep so they were just looking around and decided to go fishing and were going to get their rods. I got a good look at him. He didn't have anything in his hands. I told him that this old man would shoot his [censored] if I caught them around my place again and there where several others in the park that would do the same. I still didn't feel right about them, but had no way to contact anybody to verify his story. (I know now I should have just shot in the ground to wake up somebody for help. Remember I was in big time pain.) I let him go and he headed over to the other side of the park toward lot 17. I in turn made it look like I was headed back to my trailer but went the other way. I drove across the street to Trophy Lodge and hid at the end, out of site. (An old man in his undies and a 38 special, I could see my [censored] going to jail). No one came out of the park. No cars or signs of cars. I set there for about about 10 to 15 minutes. I went back across the street and no signs of them anywhere. They were either gone or had went to bed.

I went back to get ready to fish and eat. I fished the first 2 hours of the tournament and then decided to call Ken back at the park to tell him what had happened. That's when I found out they had stolen everything. I was pissed. If that was not bad enough. Listen to this. Ken went to check our Lot 17 and it was not one of our temp spots. We know the family in that spot. Ken called the Sheriff Sunday afternoon and told them about me and that I might be able to identify one of them and gave them my cell number. Well, it's been a week and no call. So I guess the fishing industries that bring in $$$$$$ to Wood County are not important.

Gary Goodman



[i][/i]

sad they got away and now we have someone to identify them and no one is interested. Sounds like we are going to have to take matters into our own hands guys.

Curious as to why you didn't alert the Sherrif's Dept while this was going on? Not trying to say you did anything wrong at all but maybe they could have been caught that night.

You should have just called the cops...

Haven't heard of anything on the west side lately. Wonder who the heck is doing this?

I had got a new phone after mine went swimming Thursday morning and couldn't get a signal. That' another topic on phones and service from AT&T.

Call Sheriff Dept. Ask for Sheriff Bill Wansley !(903)763-2201

I guess I've lived the city for too long, cause I learned at an early age TO LOCK MY STUFF UP!!!

If people would exercise a little common sense, we wouldn't keep getting this same type of post over and over again. Quit making it easy for the theives and they will move on.

amen !!! I here at the lake and everything does stay locked up.

Amen !!! Bucket i live here at Fork. My stuff is locked good 24/7 !!

A cell phone and handgun go together. Never,ever reach for your gun unless yoiu also get your phone! You should have 911 on your speed dial so you don't even need to look at it to dial it. They record calls. What is said on that tape BEFORE the shot is fired can make the difference between getting charged and no charges being filed. ALWAYS call for help/witnesses. If the situation is not bad enough to call for help, it's not bad enough to have a confrontation...but once you do have a confrontation the number one priority is your safety and the other is getting help/witnesses. The third is remembering to shoot at center mass!

I feel bad for those who get their stuff stolen, but people come on, the news about thieves at these lakes is nothing new. I know I've invested quite a bit of money into my gear and others probably more.

LOCK IT UP. and in my opinion that does not mean in your boat or in your vehicle. I mean in your motel him, your garage, house, whatever.

I hope they catch these buggers

Just FYI, I know it really isn't good enogh but I thaught being 8ft from my camper with lights on 24/7 and being locked by a loc-r-bar while covered would be good enough, well it wasn't. I talked to mr goodman the otherday and I feel as if he did more than some would do, at least he got a good look at the theifs this way when I or someone else ends up having to take their lives bc they are endangering us while trying to rob us we can see just how many there are. After taking care of all my insurance paperwork I ended up with right at 13,500.00 stolen, just rod and reels, luckly this is were the 10,000.00 coverage premium really pays off. The bassterds even stole my locker bar? They only took my rods no tackle, graphs or any other odds and ends. They did cut my cover strap but it was easly fixed. They are smart and quick/quiet but fair warning to you if your reading, u will be caught soon and will not walk or crawl away, mark my word!!!

I agree w/ you Cody Just Shoot and if still moving shoot again & again.