So here's my rant. Maybe I'm justified, but I've noted that most people seeking justification actually aren't.
I don't own a boat. Unfortunately. My wife and I just had a child, and she stopped working. I don't make any kind of major salary. I say that to make the point that I won't be getting a boat anytime soon. Between the cost of the boat, the fact I'd have to get another vehicle to tow it, and the launch fees......I'm not in any position to make that decision anytime in the next several years.
The closest lakes to me are both reservoirs on the smaller side, but have some incredibly nice homes around. Basically, the nicest homes in a 150 mile radius are all within driving distance of me on these reservoirs. The reservoirs have pretty limited access since they are almost completely surrounded by homes, which of course don't take well to fishermen walking through their perfectly manicured yards to fish the bank. Other than about 20 docks, there's no easy or feasible way to get on these lakes to fish with the exception of hoping a kind fellow fisherman with a boat will allow me to tag along.
The only major river, which is pretty small, in our area is not only incredibly dirty, but gets a very heavy amount of boating traffic due to a local canoe/tubing company that rents out from April to October. The number of wild and crazy people that float down it all day every day makes fishing there out of the question.
Then to make matters worse, most of the local neighborhoods in my area which have retention ponds have asked me to leave. I'm not a confrontational person, and I understand I have to obey the HOA kingpins so I leave without a problem. I could lie and say I live there, but I'm not that kind of guy. Even with permission in 3 of these neighborhoods from acquaintences that live there, the HOA is insisting I not fish there.
So, I'm increasingly more frusturated. I am watching my favorite sport disintegrating before my eyes because of more and more limited areas to fish. I can't afford a boat, my local bodies of water aren't bank-fishing-friendly, and I'm not allowed to fish neighborhoods.
What's a guy to do?
