Public access

[cbc66]

About a year ago I emailed the DGIF about getting more public access on the lake. This was the reply I got. Since I don't get to the lake often, have there been any improvements to public access lately?

cbc66

per DGIF...
"A major problem with increasing public access facilities on the lake and elsewhere is availability of affordable land.

There will be some upgrades on our boat ramps at SML in the near future and for a number of years after. These are part of AEP's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) re-licensing mandate.
In the near future Scruggs and Hales Ford ramps are scheduled to have expanded parking. Future work will also include a new boat ramp, toilet facilities at all DGIF ramps, a pier at Scruggs, and possibly a few more upgrades. These upgrades are suppose to occur over the next 5 years (approximately) but the final schedule and requirements have not been returned to AEP from FERC."

[wishforfish]

Here is an older article but I have heard recent rumblings about the ramp off of 666, I hope that one isn't dead.
www.smithmountainlake.com/news/lakerWeekly/wb/212856
I will have to say the thing on Bull Run I have reservations about. While we need more access I love fishing there due to the lack of deveopment. There are not many places left on the lake like it. Love to go up there in the spring and watch the turkeys strutting in the fields.

[rdnkjp]

I used the Hales Ford ramp this past Monday. Did not see any changes there. Used the Scruggs ramp about a month ago. No changes there either.

[linesider]

They can add all the parking they want to at Hales Ford. It will only help the property owners that don't like trucks and trailers on their grass........it is still one wide and is an absolute 3-ring circus between 10AM and 8PM. Just bring a camera on a Holiday. Some of the funniest and stupidest stuff ya ever seen in real life. Bottom line is we need more ramps/public access!!

[striperseeker]

Maybe we should have a contest for the stupidest thing we have ever seen at a pubic access ramp. I have seen so many at Hales Ford public access it is hard to pick from.

So one day we had just pulled our boat out of the water when into the ramp area comes this brand new ski boat. One of those real big expensive one. It can in up on plane and dropped someone off at the ramp to go get the trailer. The man in the boat was bragging about his new boat so he opened the throttle all the way up to pop it up on plane. Now here is the good part. At full throttle he hit the rock that is right behind the ramp throwing himself and his friend down on the floor. Yes there is justice. He hit is so hard that I don't see why the boat did not sink. Then what did he do. He opened her up and flew out on plane. It only goes to prove the point, having lots of money does not mean you are not stupid.

[fishhook]

No change at Scruggs, still giant holes in the road.


Fishhook