Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Jeez, thanks Cowper. I was unsure of the mesh bag versus bag answer myself and went to what I thought was the official word on the law.

You are right this is really confusing.

I've just sent the e-mail to the AGFC webmaster requesting the update.

Also, Doug Webber has contacted AGFC; they're actually meeting me in Conway to give us some mesh bags that we can use in an education/give-away effort at the put in.

Obviously, we'll share the stash with anyone who is outgoing enough to hand them out to strangers and have a short, polite discussion that mentions "no glass" and "attach the bag to your canoe/kayak/tube". Remind them, we're their friends, we're just trying to help them avoid a ticket and a fine!

One river at a time...

Cowper,

About four years ago a state parks friend of mine gave me a brand new bale of these yellow mesh bags. I think there was either 50 or 100ea. in the bale. Since that time I have given all of them to other boaters on many ocassions. These bags have the official ARGF, and Ark. State Parks logo imprinted on them. Besides the ones I keep permanantly installed in all of my boats, via caribiner, I have kept 6-10 of the new ones in my truck at all times to dole out to others. I don't know how many times I've gathered with friends at various put-ins only to find out some didn't have one.
At any rate, I'm down to less than a dozen new bags to give away and I'd be very interested to get another new bale of these bags. The last bale came to me at no charge but I'd only be too happy to pay for them&shipping to get some more.
Thank You!

Best Regards
Jim

I'll check with AGFC in Hardy to see if they will give me some bags to hand out at Dam #3 on Spring River. I already checked in to buying bags for us to hand out at put-ins, with the "rules" printed on them. They run about $1 each, if ya buy about 500.

Jan

P.S. Wes, that's a new word for me! (ratbasturdthugs) Thanks!

Wildwood wrote:P.S. Wes, that's a new word for me! (ratbasturdthugs) Thanks!

PLEASE only use that word to describe those who are trashing our rivers, NOT those who are trying to stop it by enforcing this law!

On another note, two of the batteries we found were "Edison Carbonaires", which googling suggests are a nickle-iron type of battery (no lead), most commonly used in railroad switches, and no longer made. That would explain the concentration Debbie found of two very old batteries, antiques, really, right beside two newer batteries that were too small to be automotive batteries. I think we have identified the perpetrators, it's those &$%# railroad men again! I now have something to investigate the next time we go; I'm betting there is a railroad signal or switch near this place on the bayou.

Cowper wrote:

Wildwood wrote:P.S. Wes, that's a new word for me! (ratbasturdthugs) Thanks!

I think we have identified the perpetrators, it's those &$%# railroad men again! I now have something to investigate the next time we go; I'm betting there is a railroad signal or switch near this place on the bayou.

Do you mean those RBT railroad men?

In the event we can buy a group of them, I'd be in for a hundred dollars worth if it should help the effort.I'd be pleased to donate half my allotment of bags to the club for specific project needs, but I'd like to replinish my onw stocks a bit for future reference. If not, I will try to see what I can round up on my own sometime.
I remember when similar mesh bags came on the scene many years ago, possibly even before they were required. The outfitters on the Upper Caddo were either handing them out to customers, or just tossing one in each canoe, at any rate, I lost count of how many I collected in trees and flotsom-jetsom piles along the river over the years.

Best Regards
Jim

Cowper, I was/am just amused at learning a new word. I can think of a few places it would come in handy, but don't see the Game/Fish guys that way. I have had no problems with them.

Jim, I'll check further. I had been looking at the type used by BNR & some of the outfitters, with the printed label/band attached. I had thought of getting some with the basic river rules about glass, PFDs, coozies, etc., printed on them. I think the minimum order is for 500 bags. (I also thought of getting T-shirts with river basics on them.)

Keep paddlin'!
Jan

Thank you Jan!

Let me know what you find out about the bags from your source as well! I just went out to the shop and got one of the bags from the stock I've been working with for several years. They are imprinted with the following sponsors logos; ARGF, Ark. State Parks, Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation, Spring River Canoe Association (I'm curious who these good folks are?), Fight Dirty-Keep Arkansas Clean, The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, and The Arkansas Stream Team(s). On the reverse side are the four rules cited that you mentioned(as per act 803 of 2001 Legal Requirements) also imprinted. I need to visit with the other sponsors than the ARGF to see if they are also still on board for this endeavor since these bags were produced, and might also be a source of bags, or more funding for them, or have some for distribution.
The earlier bags I picked up along the river for years, and re-issued to anyone who needed one, were ones the outfitters had paid for, and only had their names/sales promotions on them. I really think any kind of mesh bag fits the bill if; it's in the boat, and affixed to the boat, and maybe even used.(always good to prime them with some trash as there is plenty out there) If at all possible, for myself,I would be the most interested in any bags that had the logo of The Arkansas Game&Fish Commission imprinted on them, it just makes the case of meeting that requirement less debatable on the side of the river when the need to visit arises

Best Regards
Jim

Well, if it keeps the RBT's off someone's case I'll pony up for a hundred bags!

Tomorrow I'll see if I can talk to the local GF guy (who I've seen at Bayou Access on Spring) about it. When they were reported during a canoe race here, he rounded up a couple of people in a canoe with both glass bottles & a Styrofoam ice chest, & no mesh bag. Gave them a ticket. I've discussed this with him previously, tho I can't remember his name right now.

There's enough of us, I know we can make a difference.

Jan

I think it is great that several are offering to donate for bags because it shows you care and it shows we're all beginning to get fired up about doing something. But we don't need your money, we want your SOUL!

AGFC is giving us some bags; if we use them all and need to buy more, well, we can vote for that at the next chapter meeting and use ACC funds. Money and bag supplies are not the problem. Mostly lack of education, and just a few bad apple "don't care" attitudes, are the problem.

Like others, I remember after this law was first passed - it seemed like one of the most commonly seen items of trash found on our rivers became the bags themselves, wrapped around tree limbs. If we just make lots of free bags available, we will just see that again.

What we need is more people willing to hand out a bag with a zip-tie to those who show up without one, but more importantly, spend a few minutes in friendly conversations with strangers to answer questions, and help them attach the bag. They need to know others care; and if they don't care, AGFC can and will help make them care.

It seems to me that AGFC has both good and bad cops. To find the "bad" cops, just float down the river with glass bottles, unsecured trash, no PFD, no trash container, an ice chest not secured, styrofoam ice chest, or a drink can not in a coozy. If you want to meet only the "good" cops, then have a PFD, no glass, sturdy container or mesh bag tied to your boat, etc, and when hailed paddle over with a smile on your face. Use the word "sir" or "officer" at least once. If you really want to play it safe, use one of these or something similar:
"Thank you sir for helping keep glass and trash out of the river."
"I hate glass in the river."
"I hate litter."
"I'm glad somebody is doing something."
"Have you guys ever figured out why people who can't swim won't wear a PFD? That just baffles me..."

Funny how those "good cops" and "bad cops" can often be the same person. Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw once: "51% sweetie, 49 % *itch. Don't push your luck."

I don't think we even have to organize major events, although I'd like to see that too. I'd be happy to see just 10 or 15 minutes of ambassador work every time a group is waiting for the shuttle to run. If we do that, we'll touch a lot of people over the course of a summer. If you think you're up for that, let us know and we'll get you some bags to hand out. I don't think you need to be a professional speaker or especially good at talking to strangers - a simple, "hey, I've got some extra mesh bags, do you need one?" will get things started. They'll pretty much either already have it covered, or they'll have to at least ask, "why would I need a bag?" and then you can just answer their questions. Most folks are going to be pretty friendly when you are offering to give them something free, even if they don't want one.

This is a wonderful idea. It's pro-active, progressive and positive AND 'we' become part of the solution. I think, with my tolerance level for rude, obnoxious, belligerant drunks, I would likely find myself being far less patient and friendly than I normally am. No, I would not want their job.
Good on you, Cowper et al.

Deuce wrote:

Cowper wrote:

Wildwood wrote:P.S. Wes, that's a new word for me! (ratbasturdthugs) Thanks!

I think we have identified the perpetrators, it's those &$%# railroad men again! I now have something to investigate the next time we go; I'm betting there is a railroad signal or switch near this place on the bayou.

Do you mean those RBT railroad men?

Not to be confused with RBF.

I remember acc as a good sponsor on the mesh bags previously. Spending some money on them would be good for sure. Another great place is from a local AGFC stream team coordinator. Especially easy and abundant for free upon starting a stream team for a stream or river reach.

http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/Fishi ... msAST.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also like and will take on the pro-active and positive approach cowper and everyone else here has helped initiate.