Boat Ramps

Warmed up and ready to go at the Canyon Dam boat ramp, Lake Almanor.

​     Most fishermen put a lot of thought into their day of fishing. A little pre-planning of your time on the boat ramp can go a long way to getting your day off to a good start.
A few things to consider at the boat ramp:
     Have your boat ready to launch when you pull on to the ramp. Things such as covers, straps, motors, and fishing gear should be taken care of in the parking lot. Remember to put in your plug.

Bow strap and safety chain are locked, time to pull up the ramp at Bucks Lake.

     To un-hook the bow or not to un-hook the bow? That is the question. Well not really a question for me. My winch strap and safety chain remained attached, when launching, until my boat is in the water no matter what incline the ramp is. The strap and chain are again locked in prior to pulling the boat out of the water and up the ramp.  The internet is loaded with pictures and videos of people who decided to un-strap prior to backing down. Now that your boat is in the water, if you, the driver, are getting out of the vehicle to deal with the boat, it is probably a good idea to set the parking brake. Again, see the internet for aftermath pictures and video.  Remember to put in your plug.

     If it happens to be dark while you are launching, turn off your headlights while backing down the ramp. There is nothing worse than trying to back your boat down a ramp while being blinded by the person in the next lane who left his lights on. If you are flying solo, try to pull your boat as far down the dock as possible. This will usually allow enough room for someone to launch in front of you while you park your vehicle and further speed things along for everyone at the ramp. On the flip side, when you are coming off the water pull your boat as far forward as you can, allowing other boats coming in a place to land or at least drop someone off.  Remember to put in your plug.

A 0-Dark-30 launch at Canyon Dam Lake Almanor. Notice we are tied up all the way at the end of the dock.

Here Is Your Sign!

​     A disturbing trend I have noticed for a while, and it seems to be on the rise; People, mostly younger, swimming in and around the ramp and docks during the warmer summer months. Not just an inconvenience when you are trying to launch or recover your boat, but unbelievably dangerous. Please be cautious and report this to the proper authorities. True story, in summer 2018, I waited for a group of kids to clear the water. I was trying to dock on the downwind side, I slid the boat up to the dock, cranked the wheel to pull the rear of the boat over, even with the dock. As I looked over my shoulder and hit reverse, one of the kids on the dock did a cannon ball into the water 10 to 15 feet off my swim deck. I quickly abandon my maneuver. He had no idea what almost happened.

​     Keep in mind, some people are faster at launching and recovering than others. There are multi person "teams", with one driving the truck, and the other the boat, that may not even have to tie off the boat to the dock and are often times the quickest in and out. Then there are a lot,  like myself, who are most of the time alone and will have to tie off then return to the boat after parking the truck. We all have our little routine we go through, give people plenty of room and time to accomplish it. Remember to put in your plug.

A beautiful morning and empty boat ramp at Lake Almanor.

     Finally, a little common courtesy goes along way. We all want to get on the water as fast as possible to get our chance at those trophy fish. Nothing can ruin the day faster than an incident at the boat ramp. And yes, remember to put in your plug.