KY Game & Fish

I have talked with them about our fishing access at Meldahl and it seems no one cares to much about Meldahl. People are restricted as of the construction to fish near the riprap but you are not near the construction on the riprap. I even asked about them moving the bouys back to where they used to be as the construction is done in the water or the barge is gone. They told me that is up to the core, so I asked for some help about putting some structure in the water in the fishing access area to provide us with a fighting chance to catch a fish rather than just fishing a shallow sand bar. I have not heard anything on both help with our fishing or the bouys as I was told they would get back with me. They sure dont have a problem coming down checking you for a licence or checking your boat for any violations. Up to this point I was always proud of what our department did for us, anyone that fishes meldahl and that cares should call or write to the fish and wildlife about the issues we face there. I have been fishing meldahl since I have been alittle kid and for the state or anyone else just to give it up to fund Hamilton Ohio with electric and to sell us Kentuckyians out just stinks. I just thought I would give my thoughts on the department on there handling of our situation here. This is why I buy my KY fishing licence each year is to be able to fish the river and now we are reduced to fishing an empty sand bar.:mad:

I also forgot to add that I was told by the game and fish. That one day they traveled up to Meldahl just stopping in and they didnt even know the construction was going on. This was the district bioligist that stated this. Early last year this time of year the engineer for the construction company was the first to show his face at the dam and introduced himself to me and a friend and told us what was going to go on and what would be provided to us when the construction starts and after it is done. So far the engineer is a lying backstabbing jerk with a bunch of BS.

It sounds as though they are like every DNR of every state in the country. Send your money and stay home.

we need a raise.

Pepper

Ezgo I know how you feel. I fish the Ky river the only time you see fish and game is when they are checking for violations. We have a great resource in the Ky river if they would take care off it. They should do more than just posting limits.

I feel your pain, but you may be directing your anger at the wrong folks. Being a riverman I can tell ya that the COE has the horns of this cow. States or contractors can't do squat on the river bank or in the river without an OK from the COE.

It would be better to attack the problem thru your local government. They should tell the COE it is hurting local businesses due to the lack of tourism. Talk to the Mayor & convince him its getting in his pocket too.

Wiskers you make a good point about loss of tourism. It has happened, people came from all over and I mean hours of driving to fish there because of the potential to catch quaility fish. The only problem is that the goverment (city of foster) has collapsed. Maybe I will try the State Rep for that county. I know of a gas station that catered to the fishing people with all the river gear that you needed and there sales have gone down alot. This is a mom and pop operation and I buy from them all the time. I just dont like when someone tells me they are going to look into something and contact me and never do. Hamilton Ohio is suppose to keep the upkeep on the place and they are not doing that also. The engineer of the construction company is a liar also I have pretty choice words for that guy from California but I will bite my tongue. I think he told the fisherman what they have wanted to hear so there would be any trouble getting the project started. I have reached out to the CEO ( very nicely ) and they didnt even give me the time of day. I was raised on the river and I mean my house was on the river and fished it when I was a kid on summer break. Fishing kept me out of trouble when I was a kid and I am thankful for that. One other point so the public knows is that there is no creation of local jobs there lot of out of our tristate area workers and its a union job and I am union itself and I think I should get a crack at it if I wanted to work there. I know I sound really bitter but to me fishing there at meldahl is a way of life for me. I just dont like outsiders coming in and telling me I cant fish in my back yard where I used to. Thanks for the input wiskers I am going to look into your advice.

Lets see if this works, he is the state rep. Senate District 18 this is district 18 maybe she can help. If anyone is concerned maybe she could help. Looks like she is active in the outdoors.

Personally, if I was the engineer in charge of that project I would give two craps less what I did for a few fisherman while I was doing my job. He probably gets paid to engineer hydro-electric dams not build fishing access places. Give it some time and wait till it is all complete.

Folks that fished below kentucky dam ran into the same problems while the locks are being worked on. Suck it up and maybe find another spot to fish for a year or two. Have you thought about trying the other side of the river?

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Originally Posted by smashdn

Personally, if I was the engineer in charge of that project I would give two craps less what I did for a few fisherman while I was doing my job. He probably gets paid to engineer hydro-electric dams not build fishing access places. Give it some time and wait till it is all complete.

Folks that fished below kentucky dam ran into the same problems while the locks are being worked on. Suck it up and maybe find another spot to fish for a year or two. Have you thought about trying the other side of the river?

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The thing is when someone walks up to me and introduces himself and shakes my hand and tells me all the stuff that is going to go on and what he would do for more than a few people that fish there is what I dont like.

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Originally Posted by kygofish

Ezgo I know how you feel. I fish the Ky river the only time you see fish and game is when they are checking for violations. We have a great resource in the Ky river if they would take care off it. They should do more than just posting limits.

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The ky river is stocked every year with several species of fish Bass,crappie,muskie,hybreds,sauger creating some great fishing in the past few years.

If you were talking to people looking for violations, you weren't talking to the right people about moving buoys or adding fish habitat either. Not everyone that works for KDFWR is a game warden and game wardens don't do their coworkers jobs, either.

I have tried to talk with the CEO and our wardens and district biologist and the engineer of the project. I think the game and fish can work with the CEO alittle and try to help us alittle more. Wiskers made a great point about trying the local goverment so this may be a good way to get alittle help hear. I know we have good fishing in other places but with fuel costs it has restricted me to stay within a shorter drive of fishing. I would guess some others might be in the same position on staying close to home because of fuel and oil prices. Thanks to all for responding to this post even reading what everyone thinks is a way to learn about new places to fish or just reading about how other people think of the situation here, there is always something to be learned.

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Originally Posted by ezgo

The thing is when someone walks up to me and introduces himself and shakes my hand and tells me all the stuff that is going to go on and what he would do for more than a few people that fish there is what I dont like.

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What is the timeline on all this goings on? From the time he talked to you to now how long?

I guess if the shoe was on the other foot EZGO some people may understand your pain. But this is the nature of the beast when you are dealing with government, Big Promises with No Results.