Am I the only one that was really put off by this announcement from CPS / 1000 Trails Management on Calaveras and Braunig? I've decided not to buy a pass in 2012 and I'm not sure I'll keep fishing those lakes anymore either. I don't think they understand how stupid this policy is! The only reason people buy annual passes is to avoid having to pay every time you go! Not to mention that there will now always be a line-up at the ramp with folks scrambling to get off the water by 8PM. Clearly their "corporate" decision maker has never dealt with a packed boat ramp. If it was about money -- offer a higher priced pass that covers past 8PM! Unless it was outrageously priced I'd pay for it, but this is just lame. Hopefully by summer time they will see what a flawed plan this is and fix it.

http://braunig-calaveras.info/breaking_news.htm
CLARIFICATION ON ANNUAL PASSES IN 2012

Due to a misunderstanding we had told some of you that the annual passes could be used in 2012 to cover the $4 Dispursed Camping Fee for those staying past 8 PM. We have been informed by corporate that this is not the case. The annual passes may only be used in lieu of the per person charge in 2012, just as it is in 2011 (this includes your boat if on your card). If you have an annual pass and stay past 8 PM you will be required to pay $4 per carload. We apologize for the confusion.

yup... they are trying to turn "a whore into a housewife" ... those lakes are dumps and they should just leave em that way! they trying to nickel and dime even the boaters so we can pay for the trashy people fishing the banks... my biggest questions is how are they going to enfore this $4 extra charge? Is there going to be an armed guard at the gate to collect my $4 if im leaving at 8:30?

I know it sucks but I do like the idea of them trying to clean up the place.

I won't feel the problem. I'm going to Calaveras tomorrow(Wed), early. The fee is $7 for me + GMC + boat. I'll be out of there by 5 pm......
I forgot how much the fee is if we bring the motorhome also, and stay a couple of days. But, I recall it was worth a try. It looks to me like they're trying to improve the grounds and the operation, and THAT takes money.
I can stay at Canyon Lake(Potters Creek Campground) for $12 per day/night (motorhome, GMC & boat). But, it's "the dead sea".

You figure in what the cost of gas is now, and having to drive over 100 miles round trip to a decent fishing lake, and then pay whatever fee when you get there, that extra $4 doesn't sound all that bad.

They are in it to make money and they are making improvements, and the lake is always crowded on the weekends and holidays, so if a slight increase is going to run some of that crowd off, it can't do anything but make the lake safer.

The $4 isn't the problem! The problem is that they are being incredibly stupid about it and generating a fiasco at the same time. I'd pay an extra $40 for an annual pass without the hassle, and that would make up for the less than 10 times a year I might stay past 8. What I don't want is to have to remember cash every single time I go to the lake! More importantly, if I'm out at 7 still having a good time fishing, I don't want to have to scramble to get off the water and out of the park by 8 to prevent getting towed!

As I said, I'm all for having them improve the place -- just do it smart. If they want to charge more for a pass, charge more, but don't create a 7:30 traffic jam at the ramp -- and let those that paid for a pass get through the gates quickly.

For what they already charge there is no excuse for the limited entry hours either. I can buy an Annual Pass up in Austin (for less money) and get into Lake Austin or Lake Travis any hour of the day or night all year!

Have you questioned them at the gate about the new rule and whether or not you would have your vehicle towed if you did not get to the ramp on time?

I don't know, but that is why I'm asking.

I'm sure that they have a proceedure for notifying those who are parked after the deadline, and maybe even just a ticket attached to the windshield wiper as a reminder to stop by the office would be my guess.

I'm not saying we should like it, but in reality Thousand Trails which is a big corporation with camps all over the U.S. can pretty much set their rates at whatever they want, and I would think they have experience at doing what they do.

Honestly when I heard they were taking over I thought for sure the rates would have gone way up right after they moved in, but I was sure this day and several more were to come.

Complaining to the office people and getting straight face to face answers from them would probably be more productive. and the release in the link pretty much gives their side of the story.

It's a Private Park and although CPS owns the property and has some input, it's still run by a private company by their rules.

With them it's about the bottom line as with any business and they don't work for charity.

.

If you think you are going to get off the lake after 8 PM then
give them an extra $4 when you go in.

Am I missing something here ?


I sure as hell don't want to pay more for my annual pass
just so you don't have to "hassle" with remembering to have
some money in your pocket.

dxr

.

The only thing that bothers me is when people refer to others as "trashy" just because they fish the banks. Now I know there are some people out there that dont have an ounce of respect for the grounds and something has to give way to proper management and fines for these careless and thoughtless individuals. My dad brought fishing into my life and I have brought it into my sons lives by way of bank fishing and if that does not measure up to your standards of "fishing", please keep those comments to yourself or refine your statement sir.

Kinda too bad you are paying more anyway, and as they drive people like me away you'll end up paying even more over the years.

They don't have to raise the price across the board. They can offer a full-access pass for those willing to pay extra to avoid the hassle.

And we will see -- maybe you are right. Wait until June and watch the ramps around 7:30 and see. Good luck.

I couldn't agree more. I don't see any value in calling anyone trashy. Pride has a way of biting back. I bank fish when I don't feel like taking the boat, or don't know anything about the ramp and want to checkout the lake.

And FWIW to every other reply -- I wasn't trying to start a flame war. I was interested to see if others felt the way I do about the policy -- clearly many do not. Fortunately I believe in the capitalist system, so I'll let my money do the talking.

Thanks for the replies -- especially the ones that were NOT angry. They gave me thought.

"CLARIFICATION ON ANNUAL PASSES IN 2012

Due to a misunderstanding we had told some of you that the annual passes could be used in 2012 to cover the $4 Dispursed Camping Fee for those staying past 8 PM. We have been informed by corporate that this is not the case. The annual passes may only be used in lieu of the per person charge in 2012, just as it is in 2011 (this includes your boat if on your card). If you have an annual pass and stay past 8 PM you will be required to pay $4 per carload. We apologize for the confusion.

CHANGES COMING SEPTEMBER 9"
*****************************************************************

Re-reading this statement I would expect that come September 9 of 2012 the annual passes will then include the extra $4 charged to the renewed annual passes and maybe even a little more.

My annual pass expires on 4-13-2012 so I'm expecting a little surprise when I renew mine!

Not trying to sling mud around, bank fishing is what I do with my kiddos. I just love to see my little one grin ear to ear when he's got a nice bass fighting him all the way to the end!
About the original statement though, prices don't bug me as much as the littering and "other" stuff that happens on these 2 lakes that really do have a potential to be outstanding fishing lakes. I hope they really do something about ALL the mess that goes on there and re-stock these lakes with some largemouth, corvina, and crappie. Now that would be really nice!!
My p.o.v. that is.

I doubt if crappies will ever make in that lake until Reds are there.

sorry if I offended anyone with the trashy comment...wasn't meant to offend anyone or lump anyone into the "trashing the lake" people.