I didn’t make a post, but I did vote on the poll. Looking at the views on Jeff’s original post, it looks like there have been over 640 views on this thread. There have only been 13 votes so far. It’s hard to get a feel for what the community at large wants when so few are expressing their opinion. If my math is right, that is only 2% of the total views.
As an open appeal to anyone who looks at the thread, please vote. If you don’t think you’ll be attending, vote for what you would like to see it become in the future. If you can’t come because you think it’s too far, vote for what works best for you. It was fun at Willard last year, but it doesn’t have to be there to be a good time.
I haven’t made it to any of the river floats, did make it to the cat awards in Layton a couple of times and made it to Willard for lunch last year. Had a good time at the ones I have been to.
Even with all the time I have spent in Provo/Orem over the last 30 yrs, have never been to Utah lake. Would be willing to support the southern guys down there.
Well those views don’t necessarily represent different people, it is likely that everyone that votes, has viewed this thread many times, especially after someone replies. So multiply the number of replies but the number of members that posted, not counting the member that made multiple replies, then subtract that from the number of views and will likely see a closer number. If I counted correctly that would be 10 times 22 and that equals 220 minus 654(the views now) for a final total of 434 view where no one replied or voted. Of course that is a guess but I think you are correct, there are a lot more people viewing this thread than those that are voting.
I doubt it was just one thing Rocky from what Jeff said in the OP there were some health issues too among other things, so don’t feel like this falls on you. From the sounds of it some of the members down South what to try another location too so it might be time for a change depending on what Jeff decides. Either way it’s all good IMO.
They have a calendar to see when it’s reserved. I only seen one reservation in the evening. I think it was in May. It usually not people there. Maybe just a family picnics that I’ve seen.
You never know what could change between now and then, guess that is the reason for a reservation. Thanks for the info.
I understand, Curt. But my point is that I’ve been covering the major expense of the Flotilla for a few years, and if I can’t attend it means Jeff is going to have to charge more for each attendee. So perhaps a new strategy is in order.
(It’s not that I won’t continue to offer support, it’s just that I have another commitment for the usual weekend.)
And during the discussion, it became obvious that the Willard event was a little bit unfair to our “bottom half” folks. It’s time we broaden the scope. It’s all good.
Wow looks like I kicked over a can of worms and took off for the weekend… Sorry for being out of contact, I should have been around to answer the concerns and questions… First off I’m open to moving to new locations, but I will need a lot of help to pull things off a long ways from my home roaming area… So if Craig was okay with spearheading the event down south, that would be great!!! I know it’s been difficult for many to attend from down south in the past and I think it will be likewise difficult for the northerners to travel south as well, but the alternating schedule could be a really good thing.. However, we will need some help to pull this thing off. Our past team is having a rough year, so it would be great if we could get some others to help us out this year.
Rocky, we have appreciated all you do to help pull this thing off, and it wasn’t just your schedule that put the idea for change in motion, it was a part of it for sure, but I’d been kicking it around even before. I think change is good as long as we still get the good preserved and it sounds like a lot of good ideas have been kicked around.
From what I’m seeing it looks like an event similar to the Willard thing is still high in demand… I wonder if in the interest of convenience, we could drop the meal deal and either have everyone bring a picnic style lunch or maybe if someone has connections to a taco truck or something similar, have them drop by to serve lunch… That way we could fish more and fuss less and still have a good after fish gathering to pass out prizes and visit… What say ye??? Later Jeff
Still not 100 percent certain on what a flotilla is. But, I think I got a good enough understanding. I’m interested in attending and willing to help where necessary. Someone mentioned the usual date. When is that? Location isn’t a huge deal. However Willard isn’t too far for me
Flotilla is more less a chance to get together as BFT members and visit a little and pass out awards and give some prizes out… In the past we used to float the Bear River and fish as we went, then get together for a meal and prizes… But interest has increased and we needed to move it to a location that is more accessible to all the group… so we went to Willard where we fished in the morning then gathered for the visit and prizes and such… It’s a lot of fun, but the state parks has gotten a little money hungry and not only charges us for admittance at $15 a vehicle, but also was charging us over $75 to rent the pavilion, which they never have had cleaned up and ready to go for the year, so BFT has been cleaning up their tables and getting things ready for them, while they charge us to do it… Anyway, it was fun, but I think we can do it else where for less… Usual timing is late April to early May before the big crowds hit and folks get off to family vacations… More to come… Later J
Gotcha. Thanks
Jeff and all…my original reply said I was good for wherever, and that still goes. But I do like the idea of an alternating between north and south. Sounds like Craig has a possible contact at Lincoln Beach. We have always been impressed with how well the restrooms and pavilion is kept there. But when does the host come in for the season? Is May a bit early ? Not being a state park, I don’t know how the camp hosts schedule works. Would the restrooms even be open in early May?
I would even be happy to do another River Float, and if that has too many attendees to meet up at Muddy Road, why not at the Benson Marina ? There are tables, and grills there, aren’t there? And that’s where us with boats would recover and pull our boats out.
Some members have expressed a concern about the distance for southerners to Willard and northerners to Utah Lake. I’m a northerner and don’t mind the trip to UL, or to Upper Bear / Benson / Cuttler (because it’s mostly freeway). But the additional distance to Bear Lake (up thru Logan Canyon), and not really having the suitable size boat for that water would make it probably a no go for me.
Just my 2 cents worth. I’ll make my decision based on what venue is decided on, and the scheduled date.
I’m not sure what to say. I would be happy to help. I was also planning a cleanup day at the beach about that same time. I’m afraid trying to combine the two might be too much. I’m pretty sure that with all the solid members that fish the lake down here we could pull a flotilla together. How does anybody feel about doing a potluck?
I’ll check with Mooseman and see if he has contact with the camp host.
About the distance and the costs involved. Many of us travel to Flaming Gorge or Fish Lake or Strawberry or any number of far-off destinations, and plunk down $10 like nothing for a couple of lures. It seems that a little outlay gets you a lot in this deal. I hope we can make it happen and get a lot of people to join in.
I hope I made some kind of sense.
To answer the last tiny question, the “usual date” for the past few years has been the Saturday of Mom’s Day weekend. This year, that would be May 11.
That is often the peak of the crappie bite at Willard, which served as an incentive to those who came to fish the morning.
The camp host I believe said they would be here April 23 roughly. So the bathrooms would be open around that time. That is what they said when I talked to them a few weeks ago.
Thanks for chiming in. That’s good to know.
depending on where it’s held, I would be able to help where needed.. to far south wouldn’t work.but I’m game for anywhere,and then see what happens..BEAR lake is not a good choice as most days see the wind come up around 10 or 11 a.m. ,not a good place to be in a boat when that happens.I myself look forward to the Flotilla every year,but have only been to the last three.. As far as the pavivllon goes we could skip that and have BTF members bring canopies..I for one would bring one and I vote for Willard mainly so we can all discuss this change without being in a hurry…Whew !! longest post of mine ever !! 36 comments but only 18 votes come on BTF members VOTE top of page one
Hey Craig, why do two events? If we choose to do the Utah Lake venue, why not combine your cleanup with the flotilla? Probably draw more help that way and get it done while we visit. I think we’ll get better attendance that way, and I bet most will gladly support it. I’ll try to get ahold of you today and discuss a few details. Later Jeff
36 comments but only 18 votes come on BTF members VOTE top of page oneI didn’t vote because none of the choices were acceptable to me. And if it’s Mother’s Day, I wouldn’t be able to attend regardless. Mother’s Day & Father’s Day weekends are family days with the kids and grandkids. A tradition, don’t cha know.
When it gets set in stone, I’ll make a decision on whether or not I can/will attend. Last year was my first attendance and it was fun.
I’m game if you think it will work. If we did it the first Saturday in May we would avoid Mother’s Day weekend. Of course there’s no way to cater to everybody’s schedule but we better get it set ASAP so people can make their plans.
One other thing I worry about: I’m afraid that the businesses I hit up for prizes will be thinking, “Weren’t you just here?” If we could get some help from all different areas it would help spread the pressure around.
What do you think of the potluck idea? We kinda get in a rut of same old same old around our house and it would be nice to enjoy other’s culinary offerings. And maybe some of our more well-healed members would pop for the pop or whatever.
May 4th would work for me, if we can get lucky and not pick a rainy day, but even those have been fun in the past…
I’ll run the route up here for prizes, were you going to try Cabela’s? I think they would be good, but they are a little more hassle to get lined up with than other locations… I’ll get with you off line to get the prizes figured out…
Pot luck would be fine, it’s just the hassle of doing the food takes a lot of time, but if there was something that didn’t require a lot of serving preparation that would be great… Guess I’m burning out on the food end of things myself and think it would be easier to just bring a sandwich and pepsi and call it good… That’s why we have new blood for when us old timers lose our fire for those kind of things… Later Jeff