CGKA - Maintaining good relations at Lyle

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

We've received some comments asking us to communicate to the greater gorge kiting community regarding people kiteboarding in the river mouth (below the sandbar)at Lyle.

The fishing community and native americans, along with the Lyle community have all expressed interest in working with the kite community on the future access developments at the Lyle Sandbar, but it is contingent only upon the kite community agreeing to remain on the upwind side of the sandbar.
Most kiters abide by this agreement, and understand that it is imperative we remain a desired partner in future positive access changes.

It is important to note that right now, it is peak fishing season and many people have been waiting all summer to for this.
Having kiteboarders ride en mass in their longtime fishing area (Lyle is historically an important fishing spot for over a hundred years) is not one of their favorite things, and can very effectively ruin a persons fishing chances and experience.
**This is the same for the White Salmon. Please steer clear of fishing boats.

So, can we all help each other out at Lyle? (yes, I know, we never name this place, but with future changes afoot....)
If you see others riding or planning on riding in the river mouth, please speak up to them (politely!) and mention to them our desire to not interfere with other river users and their needs for us to steer clear of the river mouth/downwind side of the sandbar.

We know policing our peers can be a pain, but who better to get the point across to a local kiter.

Thank you
Your friendly local CGKA Representatives

Nevo · Guest

Someone needs to formally reach out to World Class Academy. They've been filling the mouth of the river with 2-3 vans full of kids every day I've been there recently. Even when fisherman were present, resulting in the mouth becoming unfishable.

Matt V · Fri Sep 15, 17 6:48 am

Any plan of action for those who have voiced their intent to kite in the river mouth no matter what?

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 474 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

I expect the offenders will win several large sinkers and a big treble hook.

Blaine · Since 06 Aug 2010 96 Posts

Hello nwkite community! I am the head coach at World Class and was unaware of the restricted area. I apologize for being unaware and we will no longer be allowing our students to ride in the mouth. I would like to thank all the people who reached out to me with direct messages. I am all about maintaining access and gaining more.

Nevo · Guest

Thanks Blaine!

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Not too be a d!@$ But once on the water isn't it public right of way? Whomever and wherever you may be?

voy-tech · Fri Sep 15, 17 1:20 pm

Jonpnw · Fri Sep 15, 17 1:23 pm **Respect**

The kiteboard community is trying to gain legal access to the Lyle sandbar.

The Native Americans and those attempting to catch fish don't appreciate guy in the sky boosting from the epic flat water at the mouth of the Klickitat.

Popcorn

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

We'd like to think that everyone wants to work together for the long haul with the access at Lyle and all of our other launch spots.

In case there are any kiters out there who mistakenly think that these launch sites basically popped into existence out of thin air, they should understand that each and every kite launch spot along the greater gorge corridor and all the way out to Three Mile Canyon has a kiteboard representative or small community of people that annually work with the local county, state or parks departments to ensure that we maintain safe and reasonable access to the river. Same goes with having to communicate with the railroads, River Keepers, and Gorge Commission, all who have a stake in river access and maintenance.

It usually only takes a few people who don't care enough about the future of these launch areas and are more concerned about their own personal momentary needs to screw things up, throw a tantrum for being told to not do what they are doing, and then leaving a mess or awkward relationship reconstruction project for the local kiters who care.

Most who ask the 'well, what if I just go ahead and do whatever I want to for myself', they already know the answer and are likely willing to gamble and then leave if they don't get their way.
Not a good part of our recreational area, but because we get so many tourists, it is a fact of life that some people are just basically dicks. Luckily we have very good people locally who are there to pick up the pieces and make things right again.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to whether or not you were raised to become a positive part of the community, or choose to be a negative part of the community.

Windstoked · Since 21 May 2013 43 Posts Norcal

I agree that acknowledging and working with other entities sharing kiteboarding access sites is important, but it's theoretical at best that salmon returning to their native river would be turned back by non-aggressive surface craft in the open water of the Columbia River more than the high waterfalls just upstream in the Klickitat Narrows where fishermen on stands built right over the falls swing nets at them.
Sometimes you need to compromise, but sometimes you also need to call BS.

Jonpnw · Fri Sep 15, 17 5:42 pm **Look Out !**

Have you ever been on kite beach or on the water when you see this large overhead shadow and get a certain feeling there is a kite coming your way ? I am not a fish but in that moment the last thing on my mind is eating a hook disguised as a fingerling . I would think above the water activity affects catching / netting fish . No ?

Trent · Since 10 May 2012 76 Posts Hood River

Doesn't matter even one little tiny bit whether or not kiting has any effect on salmon fishing in the mouth of the Klik. What matters is that it's a show stopper for the stakeholders there. "Call BS" as a previous poster suggests and the negotiations are over and access is lost.

Nak · Fri Sep 15, 17 9:36 pm

Matt V · Sat Sep 16, 17 6:47 am

Nak,

Well said above!

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed