RCL?

[Bayside]

Does anyone know what the status of the LaCrosse tournament as I am planning on leaving in a week to start prefishing. I just talked to a friend over there and he didn't think the boat landings would even be open yet. Any info would be helpful.

[Hogger]

Tentatively the river is closed to ALL boat traffic until the second week in May. That is subject to change as we've had a ton of rain this past week with the river re-cresting through the rest of this week. Check with the Coast Guard or the St. Paul COE office as we get closer to May for more specific information.

[ETT]

Call Sonny Reynolds RCL Tounament Director, he is the guy who has to make the call. I talked with him a few days ago and he was leaning towards changing the location.
And don't get aggrivated with him or the tournament, they are simply doing what must be done. Believe me he hates having to mess up peoples plans (including his own).
Good luck in the tournament.

[Gonzo]

The forcast for the second crest is for May 1st here in St.Paul and Hastings. It is supposed to be equal to or higher than the previous crests last week. I would assume than that down in La Crosse the re-crest will be even later maybe say around May 4th or 5th. I would doubt that the river will open up down there for at least a week or two after that, so I seriously doubt the RCL will be able to hold the tournament down there as scheduled.
I hope I am wrong, but with all that rain we had last weekend it doesn't look good for the RCL.

Gonz

[Eric Olson]

I spoke to the Port Authority in St Louis on Wed. They are having 2 meetings / day Re: the river and all related issues.

The individual I spoke with said that they hadn't even thought about guessing what date to open the river for traffic. He also said that if he were to use the WAG theory he would say that opening anything before the 2nd week of May would never happen. More like the 15th or so depending on the 2nd crest levels.

I think the other thing we need to keep in mind is that even if the level drops enough to open navigation, to prevent erosion and property damage the "no wake " rule would probably be enforced.
If you want to get an idea how high the water is upstream in Red Wing at L&D #3. The water is roughly 1 foot up on the lock attendant building. You could actually drive over the lock w/o hitting anything!

I believe that a postponement of the RCL will be a strong possibility.
Talked to Sonny yesterday and he is getting all the appropriate info from all those making decisions on river navigation and should have a post on WC, Press releases and phone calls started and out sometime today.

If I were a bettin' man I'd say " let's start lookin' to Saginaw folks"

Wish all the best to all those in the flooded areas.

Tight Lines
Big Sandbags

Eric

[WAZ]

I vote to move it to another site. I've got the itch. Everything is booked for the time off. Just tell me where to go. I'll be there.

[Fish-on]

Crossed the Mississippi at Aitkin, Brainerd and Clearwater yesterday and it's out of its banks at all three. We're still looking at several days for that water to reach LaCrosse. I'd say the for RCL at LaCrosse to go as scheduled is extremely unlikely.

[800proX]

yeah, i would like to see it at another location as well. hope it works out somewhere. i really do feel bad for the RCL at this point - they have had 2 tough starts. but like they say - that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger.

i believe this will become a premier walleye tourney, just by the people that are in charge alone. hope from here on out things go well.

jeff

[Eric Olson]

I think to try to move to another site at this late a date would be pretty tough. I know there are a lot of permits, logistics and other requirments that are needed before you can get an OK on a new location. Community, DNR as well as trying to set up our (anglers) own resevations and plans.
I really have the itch too but let's have the ducks in a row and keep the RCL running along the well run track they are traveling on now.

If they decide to postpone Lacrosse to a later date i'd definetly go along with it. It is a relatively unknown Big Tourney site so the playing field is a pretty level one for all.

Chin up folks... think D R Y !!!

Tight Lines
Big Fish

Eric

[Co-Angler]

If they move it very far, I'll be forced to drop out. I'm a local who had a hard enough time finding the $500 for the entry fee. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to fish with the pro's on my home waters.

There's no way I can come up with enough cash for 2-4 nights in a hotel right now. They should either postpone it or cancel it.

[Bear]

It is not looking good right now. The river is rising again here in La Crosse and is going to peek again next week. A site to keep an eye on is http://www.sauger.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2&CAT_ID=2&Forum_Title=General+Discussion This a local river site and if anything is opening up the people who use that message board will let people know.

Thanks,

Bear

[Fish-on]

I just recieved word that the RCL at LaCrosse has been postponed as of 1:00 today. The new date is tentatively July 25-28.