Ditto Pits Kayak report, 2 May

I went to the Ditto Pits today, linking up with Z-man and Alexava on the water. More on the fishing trip later, but we were checked by the Game Wardens leaving. No issues, all had fishing license, fish length and limits were all good. The Game Wardens informed us that the Huntsville City Attorney wanted them to charge people with trespassing for being in the area. That they were keeping everyone out. I’m looking for the email from a few years ago when I was given permission to access/fish the area and plan to follow up later to hopefully get permission again, but I wanted to make sure board members knew of the status of the pits. Without permission from someone in authority with the City of Huntsville the area is off limits for fishing or other access.

Is that not TVA land?

huntsville city owns it.

riverboss,

It's the City of Huntsville that owns it. I'm not sure when or under what circumstances it transferred from the company that pulled clay from the pit for making bricks to the city. Several years ago I got forward back and forth thru several people at the city trying to get access. I've got an email somewhere where I was told the city couldn't give me permission because of liability but they weren't enforcing keep people out, no signs, fences or patrols. That if I went it was at may own risk. Basically I've been going since along with many others. I've even driven around a Huntsville PD officer parked under the bridge twice over the years and unloaded next to him. There's still not a fence or a no trespassing sign posted so I'm not sure when things changed. I'd bet one too may drunken party under the bridge caused the city to close access. I hate when foolishness causes negative effects for sportsman.

That is too bad. I have seen you talk about it allot.

I've got some dewatering areas that I fish in Wheeler NWR. The basic rule is if the gate is open you can drive on the roads, when locked you can't. A couple years ago some dummies were cutting up the planted fields playing in their 4 wheel drives. Wheeler NWR locked the gates to close off access. The short version is I lost access to fishing areas because of people destroying the fields. Not my fault, I was just the bill payer.

Off to explore new areas next week. I'm blessed to live in Northern Alabama with many options.

That's a shame. We are having a seminar problem with one of our favorite lakes. Someone got hurt and tried to sue the city so they shut it down.

I had an old gravel pit that I fished in Missouri several years ago that was amazing for Crappie and Bass. It was owned by a gravel company and though it hadn't been worked in many years was still under the US Bureau of Mines regulations. I had a similar situation with the owner where he couldn't officially allow access, but wasn't going to stop me if I walked in with my kayak on a cart to fish. I even gave him frozen, cleaned Crappie several times a year. The folks he did try to keep out were kids on ATVs and hunters. Eventually an ATV rider got hurt and they tried to sue him and the company. Crazy world. :banghead

Maybe someone from the Huntsville city council read your post on the gravel pits and took issue with you guys catching fish in a worthless gravel pit not making money?It takes a lot of effort to pull so much gear that distance and get run off when you're not hurting anything.To bad for guys tying to enjoy a sport.

Many kudo's to Ditch for posting the "official" (and 100% true) version of the story. Now it's my turn! We (Alexava, Ditch and I) had been there for 3+ hours (which means Ditch had already thrown back 2 or 3 limits!) - As it approached 12 Noon, the wind was picking up and the bite was slowing down. At one point around 8:30, Alexava and I watched Ditch (from about 10 ft away) flailing with 6 rods picking up one crappie after another....I mean he was putting on a CLINIC ..and poor Alexava and I sat there and watched - maybe getting 1 fish every 5 or 10 minutes....Alexava even said "Man, watching him fish like that makes me want to go home!" but we fished on, some times 10 ft. from each other, some times at opposite ends of the pond. Then I saw Ditch paddling over to what I thought (from 40 yds away) were some bank fishermen. But then I saw Ditch get out of his yak, which he NEVER does...so I paddled over to investigate. WHOOPS! It's the LAW! They had basically confiscated his cooler and were counting and measuring his fish (remember he throws the big ones back...but all his keepers were legal) As I paddle over I see "the badge" and he's waving for ME to come over too. Remember you can NOT drive to within about 1/4 to 1/2 mile of the pits, the road is that bad with a couple pot holes running 3 or 4 ft deep...so these guys (the game wardens) had walked...and were in no mood to play around. Anyhow, they checked my license (gee it's nice being 65 years old and only having to show your drivers license!) and (VERY embarrassing) checked my half dozen fish!. Then insisted we remove our yaks from the water IMMEDIATELY. Then they got Alexava and checked his license and fish too. (he was right at a limit) I've been checked enough times to always stay legal but NEVER in such a remote place...so it was pretty clear that these guys were on a mission....sent (or so they said) by the City of Hunstville attorney to keep everybody out of that area. They told us several times that while they had been asked to write tickets for trespassing, we seemed like responsible citizens so, if we just packed up and left, they would not issue us citations. They also mentioned that there were homeless people in the area as well as people target shooting and drinking parties in the area....which was the key issue for the city, NOT fishermen. Interestingly too, all 3 of US were carrying guns, and they didn't have a problem with that at all. Bottom line - as Ditch stated, it's keep out or get ticketed for now but we do intend to contact the city attorney and see if there is not a way to resolve this. Bummer!

that is only the 2nd time i fished there and i doubt i would make it a regular thing because of the distance. it is however disheartening to be ran out of a good fishing hole that is hardly used when you are not harming a darn thing because of the reasons the officers stated. they were not butt-holes about it. but z-man is right they probably dont hoof it that much in a month. the more interesting thought for me is that by stopping us from fishing in that pond they will not put a dent in the crimes or loitering and littering they mentioned to me. there is no way i would go there unarmed.

that sucks fellas, strange they checked your fish..since it was private property if owned by the city?and i may be wrong but i thought any reservoir under 500 acres didnt have a size and creel limit?

its a well known fact that several members of local law enforcement both active and retired including former sherrif Joe Whisenant fish those ponds regularly. maybe they got to be too popular and the powers that be are polishing a knob or two by keeping the general public out.......

What. Jhef said. Waters less than 500 surface acres is exempt from 9inch size limit .

That's good to know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by riverboss

its a well known fact that several members of local law enforcement both active and retired including former sherrif Joe Whisenant fish those ponds regularly. maybe they got to be too popular and the powers that be are polishing a knob or two by keeping the general public out.......

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BINGO we have winner. Alabama home of the brave and sometimes free.

Z-man, it is interesting that you mention carrying your gun and the game wardens having no problem. I was stopped last week in a traffic citation. I immediately told the officer that I had a CC and had my gun in the truck. He wasn't interested in that at all...he was just writing tickets. He acted as though he didn't even want me to mention it or show him my permit.

It kinda seems like it is a subject they LEO wants to stay away from. But that is just my guess.

Tadpole, before i got out of the yak i told him i was armed. He asked where so i leaned over and moved my shirt tail. Then he asked if he could hold it until we were done. I agreed . he also asked me to be still and he took it from the holster. I said no problem just be careful it is chambered and has no safety.

I've been a member of Law Enforcement or in some way associated with Security for 30 years. Virtually everyone in Law Enforcement/Security believes they have nothing to fear from an armed, law abiding citizen. Being able to protect yourself and your family makes you part of the solution, not part of the problem. That being said, get a concealed carry permit and a pistol that you feel comfortable carrying. Practice often and keep your weapon in arms reach, when it's legal to carry.

Be careful on Wheeler with your firearms, I believe they are all banned even with a permit.

A license holder may carry in a National Park, National Forest or a National Wildlife Refuge (Wheeler). On February 10, 2010, what is often referred to as "National Park Carry" wend into effect. Basically, if a license holder carries a permit or license that is recognized by the state in which the National Park or wildlife refuge is located, that license holder may carry on that property. Be careful, however. Most buildings in a National Forest, such as a ranger station or visitor center would be considered a federal building, and any open or concealed carry would be prohibited. You also can't carry on Corps of Engineers own/controlled land/lakes.


The House Wants to Let You Bring a Gun to Army Corps Land - Defense - GovExec.com


FYI, I'm not a lawyer, be careful when asking a police officer or any LEO for legal advice. Many LEO aren't clear on the local firearms laws and some very bad things have happened to good people for asking what would seem to be a simple and innocent question. If you want to know what is "legal" in a particular area, find an attorney who is familiar with the firearms laws in that area and ask them.

I was curious about Wheeler a refuge officer had person in handcuffs it arrowhead landing 3 years ago .The person was wearing a side holster with his handgun on the wardens hood.

I've seen a person arrested for discharging a firearm (shooting at turtles) and was yelling about how he had a permit. Another guy that said he could open carry anywhere, but had an untucked shirt covering his weapon. Let's not forget about the convicted felon with a weapon or the guy that has an active warrant for something else (failure to appear on a minor traffic citation is very common). There's lots of reason to get arrested.