CTFishTalk.com: WARNING: Watch out for the Crazies at Batterson Park Pond - Connecticut Lake Reports ( CT Lake Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Daryl · Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Posts: 70 Location: Simsbury, CT

So in the hopes of landing the big one this morning I went off to Batterson Park Pond do some trolling for walleye.

I arrived at exactly 7:45 at the north of the park outside the main gate that leads to the beach. I parked near the stop sign in a small parking area, left my "gone fishing" sign on the dash of my car and carried my kayak over to the bank to launch.

After about 15 minutes of trolling a crankbait, I started throwing my wacky senko along some shore points near the boat launch where some guys in a small boat with a trolling motor were catching yellow perch. Phil had given me some pointers on where trolling might be productive, so I started heading back north towards where I had launched.

I decided I had to take a "nature break" over the side of the boat, since trolling in a kayak doing the "pee-pee dance" is not much fun. Exactly as I was zipping up my fly I heard the boat with the trolling motor behind me. So I greeted the other fisherman and apologized if they came up on my display a few seconds before. LOL Embarassed

They told me there was a guy over at the boat launch in a black SUV that told them to leave and that the season was over for fishing. They said to me that he told them to come out and tell me too. We all were a little confused, but I told them I would paddle over to leave and check my anglers guide too. They said that the guy told them he was from the town (Farmington, I presume?)

Anyway, as I was nearing the North shore where I launched from, still trolling, I saw the SUV from the other end of the pond come screeching in next to my car. I thought to myself "what a douchebag, I'm leaving and this guys still gonna hassle me." Sure enough he came down the bank straight for me. As I'm beaching my 'yak this guy says "Season's over, no fishing here! So leave!" Of course I apologized and said I was unaware and asked him who is in charge of this park. He says "the city of Hartford owns it." I then asked him who he was with and he repeated "the city of Hartford owns this park and fishing is not allowed after Oct. 31st. and you will get a ticket." I then got a little suspicious of his actions and challenged him again by asking who he was and why he felt he could tell me to leave a public park. He walked away, quickly I might add.

However, what this clown didn't expect is that being in good cardio condition, I can walk pretty fast while dragging my kayak full of gear. I was only about 15 yards behind him as he went back to his car, and I intended to get his license plate and inform the Farmington Police of his suspicious activities. Well as luck would have it another guy pulls up in a Toyota Pickup and parks. The season's over, party-pooper guy stops for a few seconds to start telling this other guy to leave, which afforded me the time I needed to get a good look at his SUV and his plate. The weirdo notices I'm already up on him and writing his plate and he hops in his SUV and literally peeled out, blew the stop sign and sped away.

The other fellow and I chat about what a jerk we thought this guy was for a minute, and I pull out my phone and call the non-emergency Farmington Police line. I tell the dispatcher what happened. She runs the plate, and guess what? It's a private vehicle, not DEP, town, state or anything else. She tells me to call back if I see the guy again and she will have officers question him. She also tells me to call the DEP and let them know what happenend too.

So after a quick call to DEP in Hartford, and the local DEP field office (on the advice of DEP in Hartford,) I start loading my kayak. As luck would have it I can see this weirdo back over at the boat launch at the far end of Batterson. So I call up the dispatcher again and within seconds of speaking with her, this guy leaves the boat launch. I see a few cruisers patrolling around and driving around the lake. Now I start to feel bad about calling, now the town has got officers tied up looking into this petty issue instead of more serious stuff.

A few moments later, two very nice officers pull in and ask if I'm the one who called. I explained what happened and they seemed to take it pretty seriously. I made it clear this guy never threatened me, never said he was an officer, etc. The police were very cordial and attentive and took down my information as well. I told them I did check with DEP and my angler's guide and I was fishing out of season and I extended my apologies. Small talk continued while I strapped my kayak and off I went.

About and hour later I recieved a call from the Sergeant on duty who I talked with at Batterson. They actually went to the guys house and had a sit-down with him. He was just a civilian on a power-trip and has been told to leave us fishermen alone. If the DEP wants to enforce things, that's what they can do and not him. I was very impressed by the Farmington P.D. and glad this issue is hopefully nipped in the bud!

Justice Served, I'm very glad they didn't arrest the guy though!

So out of respect I'm not posting this guys plate or anything, but if you get approached by a guy in a Black 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer wearing a olive-green jacket (similar to the DEP) make sure you let the Farmington PD know if he harrasses you by calling them at 860-675-2400.

Side note: Turns out according to his license plate and all then antennas on his SUV, this guy is a HAM Radio operator and must have a police scanner in his vehicle too.

Funny side note: The police, my girlfriend and my barber all laughed at me today for strapping the 'yak to the Del Sol. My response is why take a chance and put it on my lease car? I don't care about my old car cosmetically, plus it adds 10HP to strap a kayak to the roof! HAHA Laughing

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Daryl

"Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers." - Herbert Hoover

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Daryl

I owe you an apology. When I went fishing with Tim on Saturday, he mentioned that Sunday would be the last day of the season for fishing at Batterson. And then I promptly forgot. Sorry about that. Embarassed

Phil
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AustinB · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 120 Location: Simsbury

Hi Daryl, that was my dad and i in the boat. sorry about the whole cup deal there. I had my suspicions about the guy but didn't feel like arguing over anything because we were in violation. ( i had no idea about a closed season there and it was not marked in my guide or at the launch so it wasn't our fault.) I have no idea why he bothered you like he did because when he asked what you said we told him that you were also unaware of the closed season and that you were leaving. he left my parking lot speeding out and actually peeled out a bit
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Daryl · Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Posts: 70 Location: Simsbury, CT

Austin, I wish I knew it was you! I thought you looked familiar. Glad to see you out with your Dad fishing. I hope you guys had a decent day together even though you had to leave.

Hopefully I will bump into you guys in the future! I was observing your trolling technique and steering abilities from afar, and you got skills.

Phil, don't sweat it bud! My entire life is a sea of post-it notes so I don't forget things, even though I'm still in my twenties! I'm just glad I had some excitement today. Twisted Evil

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Daryl

"Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers." - Herbert Hoover

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

Well at least I know not to fish there again until the spring. The guy in the SUV would probably have been better off to call the DEP himself instead of confronting people.

RobO · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 285 Location: South Windsor

Two thumbs up for a great post!
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SkeeterRon · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 1173 Location: Newington, CT

Good story,

As for your comment:

"Side note: Turns out according to his license plate and all then antennas on his SUV, this guy is a HAM Radio operator and must have a police scanner in his vehicle too."

Only Policeman or Firemen are allowed to have scanners in their vehicles. He's lucky he didn't get busted for that.
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AustinB · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 120 Location: Simsbury

Daryl- thanks for the compliment. It was an eventful day for my dad and i. We got there early in the morning when it was dark and waited until it was light. Once it was light we went to move the car and the battery died. My dad got a jump and went to buy a battery so i trolled around and picked up a. Couple yellow perch on a little 2 inch shallow diving rapala in about 6 feet of water and also on a worm harness. i trolled at a medium- slow pace maybe 3 mph. Out in the middle of the lake in about 18 feet of water i marked some fish within 3 feet of the bottom. There was some rock piles out there for a bit of structure. I suspect that fishing that area with leeches, worms, or shiners might get you a nice walleye.
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I'd Rather be fishin' :ifishing

AustinB · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 120 Location: Simsbury

Daryl- thanks for the compliment. It was an eventful day for my dad and i. We got there early in the morning when it was dark and waited until it was light. Once it was light we went to move the car and the battery died. My dad got a jump and went to buy a battery so i trolled around and picked up a. Couple yellow perch on a little 2 inch shallow diving rapala in about 6 feet of water and also on a worm harness. i trolled at a medium- slow pace maybe 3 mph. Out in the middle of the lake in about 18 feet of water i marked some fish within 3 feet of the bottom. There was some rock piles out there for a bit of structure. I suspect that fishing that area with leeches, worms, or shiners might get you a nice walleye.
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I'd Rather be fishin' :ifishing

slimecoat · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 1576 Location: Newington, CT.

Great post!

I wish more people would blow the whistle on guys like that. Even if he is correct that you were accidently in violation of the closed season there, that does not give him the right to harrass people and tear ass around the parking area.

Thanks to the sit down, I'm sure he won't be bothering people anymore at the launch. Well done!!!!
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Nickp · Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 708

Still no idea on why ponds like that get closed with no trout stocking. I got a ticket last year for doing the same thing at scovilles. One day into the closed season for trout...... Called on a dude doing the same thing but totally called his b/s called the dep and told them I was a fisherman being harrassed at scoville. DEP shows up and helllo fine....

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi Daryl!

Good report, and you handled the incident as a sportsman should!

If I remember correctly and told, Batterson is closed on Oct.31st because the pond would be wiped out of fish during ice fishing season!

Some other waters in Ct. are also closed early and no ice fishing is allowed for the same reason!

Always good to check the Angler's Guide!

SeaDog1

Daryl · Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Posts: 70 Location: Simsbury, CT

Glad to know you all didn't think I over reacted to that guy. I just don't like having my rights tread on by someone not authorized to enforce the law.

Yeah, SeaDog I probably should have taken the 3 seconds it would have taken me to check the guide and all of this could have been avoided.

I guess I should thank my parents for my ability to keep my mouth shut and pursue things the "legal" route. A big part of me wanted to handle things differently. LOL.
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Daryl

"Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers." - Herbert Hoover

Nickp · Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 708

FYI thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard. There not closed for over fishing. If thats the case beseck or black pond would have no fish and suprise suprise they do. Its called the town has rights to the lake and makes dumb rules. Just like quonnipaug in guilford and rogers Rolling Eyes

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Nickp!

What Question

Again with comments against rules that you don't agree with Question

Why is it, -> That anything you find not to your liking is stupid or dumb!

READ! The Angler's Guide, because there are other Ct. waters that close early and/or prohibit ice fishing!
(ie; Lake MacDonough - Lakeville are 2).

Cheech Exclamation

Seriously! -> Work on changing your negative attitude KID!
Life is too short to go around with a chip on your shoulder all the time Exclamation

SeaDog1