Big Island Pond Update

[Joe Spinello]

I just got off the phone with Herb Lippold (the man with the key access)  He told me the water will need to rise another 3.5 feet before anyone will be able to launch there.  Also as a point of reference, he said he has been home from FL for over 2 weeks and the water level has only risen about 6 inches.  I just began a rain dance in my living room...

So that brings me to the question.  Might we have to go with the alternate?  Obviously we can wait a bit and check the level as the tournament date approaches but we shouldn't wait to long.

Reggie, where did we put in as our alternate?  Nashua river?

[Reggie]

Hey Joe,

Thanks for the update.  Yes, our alternate is the Nashua River.  I will check with the campground to see how that launch is as that is where we launch from.  One of the guys I work with said he has seen guys out there fishing.  He lives on the lake, so I have been checking in with him.  If the launch at the campground is unusable by April 15th, we will switch to the Nashua River.  I only need to give Vicki a few days notice.  We don't need the permit in hand, as long as she has processed it.

So, everybody, let's join in with Joe and do the rain dance!!    Oh yeah, and pray to Mother Nature! 

[Chris Hoffman]

Can we use the launch at the campground outside of the tourney or you have to go thru herb for the key?  I really did not fish nip that mcu last year so not sure if I want to pay for the key this year.

[Ryan N.]

It isnt looking good the long range doest show much precipitation until the week of the 15th with a little over an inch that week.  By then i'm afraid it just may be too late this will be the second year in a row we had to use our alternate for the first tournament im not much of a fan of the Nash, but it is what it is.  Maybe next season we should plan for it to be a little later or do our first tournament on a different lake, just a thought in any case I'll be there I whooped you all on the Nash last yea i'll just have to do it again 

[Joe Spinello]

Well, that 3.5 feet was just his guess and who knows, perhaps we only need another foot given the draft of our bass boats.  Plus if we were to get a few inches of rain, that may be all we need to get to the right level.

[Ryan N.]

Well, that 3.5 feet was just his guess and who knows, perhaps we only need another foot given the draft of our bass boats.  Plus if we were to get a few inches of rain, that may be all we need to get to the right level.

Agreed all we can do is wait.  I hope we don't pay for this nice dry weather all summer though. 

[Flippin_NH]

All the other lakes are open if BIP is not ready and we don't want to fish the Nash pick something that is not already on our schedule. Just a thought

[Joe Spinello]

We wouldn't be able to get a water permit in time.  So if BIP is no go, then it's the Nashua

[Henry E.]

I picked up a key for the boat ramp after the cookout Saturday on my way home.  I would say the 3.5 feet that Herb Lippold estimated is accurate.  I don't think it looks too good, but we still have some time.  Personally I would prefer to fish BIP, but it is what it is.  After a long winter, I'll fish anywhere.

[frenchy]

Joe,

KEEP DANCING IT'S RAINING !!!!!

[bassmanMH]

Looks like we will be changing to the Nashua River

[chefdlh1972]

I just got my key today, and Herb Lippold said the launch is actually closed, even to people with smaller aluminum boats. He said that if we don't get some rain soon he'll probably just open it and let people risk it. But as of today the water level was just below 5 feet at the dam. He said it should ideally be around 7 feet.

[bassmanMH]

Sure is......BIP has been cancelled and our alternate of the Nashua River is also cancelled as there is a tournament already going on there.......ugh.....Mother Nature is messing with us in a big way this spring