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Our Out Trail column is intended to look at zanny or offbeat topics. We invite comments.
The transcript below shows some of the posts (without editing) from a forum discussion on www.utahfishfinder.com. We find it a sad that "sportsmen" have such attitudes. Budgets for our parks have been cut and there continues to be talk of closing some because of lack of funding, yet most parks continue to offer outstanding recreational opportunities and facilities. If everyone who uses our parks would pay their fair share it would go along way toward helping maintain and perhaps even improve services.
Clif asked the question: What is it with the entrance fees during the winter? Why are people not paying? The other day I was down on the lake and there were at least 15 vehicles. Not one envelope. Why do folks think that they shouldn't have to pay in the winter? Is it because the boothes are not manned? Do Utah fisherman have a problem with Honesty? Why do we feel exempt from paying in the winter? Can you guys help me out here?
s s responds: I'll tell you why I dont pay. I dont leave trash, I dont keep fish, I dont do anything but fish. I dont even use those nasty outhouses. And I agree, It really (EDITED)es me off, like at jordenalle, Good luck finding a free place, well thats not true I know a few, but they suck for bass, and thats what I'm fishing for. Well I'm sure theres a free place thats good for bass, anybody care to tell me? But yea, I dont like paying 9.00 bucks to fish. To me thats a ton of money, I can barely afford to put the gas in my car just to go fishing.
x man responds: ah men ss. i agree with you totally. areas should be designated for fisherman who go to fish not money traps. i dont use any of the improvements myself. when i go outdoors that is what im there for to be OUTDOORS. not partially outdoors with as many conveniences at my fingertips as possible.
Tightline responds: I am with you %100. I don't mind paying if there are facilities or even staff around that need to be paid. But when the government puts a toll booth that is never manned and suddenly thinks everyone will pay for outhouses and a toll shack without improvements I think they are crazy. I consider myself an honest person but have an inner struggle everytime I go to one of these in the winter.
Randy responds: I pay, even in the winter but feel like no one else has. I pay so the gate is not shut. 2 bucks is what I paid friday at American Fork marina and that not bad but 9 bucks is steep. I would pay 2 bucks everyday I fished if they could remove all those "no tresspassing" signs from the waters I have fished for years. They are starting to annoy me.
X man again: so what are you payin for? access to their property? it is public land until they seized it. parking? well ill walk a extra 300 yards not to pay if i could but they always put no parking signs all around the state park area so you cant. i would like to know where your coming from. do you enjoy paying extra just to be a someplace?
It goes on and on...
