Capt. Troy Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 Not without a fight. 300% increase is BS and what are they providing a guide other than the same access they have always had. We are just providing access to recreational park users. Funny they didn't up the other fees by 300%. Like walk in or paddle craft access.
nicecast Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 This is very unfortunate and we should all support our guides - who are usually the strongest conservationists - by making our voices heard. Having said that, and sorry to get mildly political... but a few years ago we were told it was anti-business politicians and administrations (some would say urban elites, or worse) that were trying to reserve the park for kayakers and photographers (some would call them treehuggers) and rid it of commerce and sporting activities by regulating and pricing commercial operators out. Different admin. Same trajectory. Apparently.
Capt. Troy Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 The fees for The walk ins and paddle craft went up 25% and they say there will be some fee consolidations to prevent confusion. I suppose the 3 new hot shower sites and the other things proposed are an expense to accommodate the fishing guide community. The FGA and NACO are already planning to meet with officials above Ramos's pay grade.
conocean Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 That's just absolutely disgusting. I can't wait to receive a petition that I can sign against this ridiculous fee structure.
JEM Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 I don't live in Florida and never been to the ENP, but this fee increase is crazy!!!! I believe I would be talking very loudly to some republican congressmen and senators about this increase in the "swamp."
DonV Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 Ya know, I have no problem paying a "user fee" of $5 to use County/City/State boat ramps, like Fort DeSoto for example, however these numbers for a select few at the ENP are a bit over the edge. I'm thinking a border wall at the Florida line is in order.....just too many people!!
hurricane Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 I haven't fish Flamingo in 8 or so years, and I don't recall the fees then. I was just looking at the fees on their site, please tell me I'm reading this wrong. I have to first buy an entrance ticket of $25 thats good for 7 days, then a ramp fee of another $25 also good for 7 days. I don't see a one day pass, so if I only wanted to fish 1 day from Flamingo, it would cost me $50? I used to fish Flamingo as a kid with my dad and then as a teenage with friends in a Jon boat, paying the fees myself. No way a teen is gonna afford that today, and thats sad. They're getting that kinda money and they want more! I'd rather put that $50 in extra gas and make run from Key Largo.
Capt. Troy Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 Problem is if you guide they don't care where you come from or launch. They want 1K from every guide that comes from Islamorada as well just to be inside park waters. Never mind they use none of the ENP infrastructure.
conocean Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 Yep. Rangers will be happy to hand out big fines to the guides they find running charters with no permit next year either while on the water within park boundaries or they will "cherry pick" them at the ramps in Flamingo, Glades city & Chokoloskee. Makes me sick! 😑 $40 annual pass for Flamingo & $60 annual pass for the ramps there OR pay $50 for 7 days of use for both.
Coto Posted August 3, 2017 Report Posted August 3, 2017 Guess I will be launching out of Port of the Islands and Goodland....only $8.00. No way I am paying that increase they want I was upset with there last entrance fee hikes. The buck will stop here. Forget them.
Capt. Troy Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 1 hour ago, Coto said: Guess I will be launching out of Port of the Islands and Goodland....only $8.00. No way I am paying that increase they want I was upset with there last entrance fee hikes. The buck will stop here. Forget them. What you gonna do when no matter where you launch you must pay the fee to be in park waters. Not sure you can operate in those waters now without paying as a recreational angler. After all you are in the park. What if a ranger stops you in shark river. Did you pay the pass to be there. Don't know the answer to be honest. Not my gig but you better check. It seems they are saying operating/fishing in park waters needs to be paid for no matter where you originate from. Certainly so for guides as I have read. I may be wrong as it's not my gig. No gator here on this one yet. Don't want to be all mouth and no ears at this point.
Coto Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 Yeah I hear what your saying but I'll still take my boat on what ever waterway my great state has...screw the federal government.
Coto Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 It's too bad cause it's such good fishing down there. This was a nice Flamingo snook from two weeks ago off the flats
Capt. Troy Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 51 minutes ago, Coto said: Yeah I hear what your saying but I'll still take my boat on what ever waterway my great state has...screw the federal government. Repower with a 250 SHO drive it backwards in the spirit world at 60 and then no way you can be caught. They can't see ya. Lets see what's legal before you get made an example of. At least you will know when to test their equipment.
mustang190 Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 Come on people,,, You know you have to support the life styles of the government workers and their families.
Capt. Troy Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 Good morning, Capt. Troy, With the new changes, any visitor into park boundaries will be required to pay the fees to enter. So while this is easy for the Flamingo side, where the ENP has infrastructure to collect these fees, our my side of the park (Everglades City side) or for those coming over from the Florida Keys, they will have to go online to pay the fee before they cross the boundary. Capt. Charlie Phillips President Florida Guides Association
Wanaflatsfish Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 13 hours ago, Coto said: It's too bad cause it's such good fishing down there. This was a nice Flamingo snook from two weeks ago off the flats Hey, I know that spot dc
Wanaflatsfish Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 7 minutes ago, Capt. Troy said: Good morning, Capt. Troy, With the new changes, any visitor into park boundaries will be required to pay the fees to enter. So while this is easy for the Flamingo side, where the ENP has infrastructure to collect these fees, our my side of the park (Everglades City side) or for those coming over from the Florida Keys, they will have to go online to pay the fee before they cross the boundary. Capt. Charlie Phillips President Florida Guides Association That will be interesting to see....I fish mostly Chokoloskee and it's only public ramps....maybe the can put a electronic PAY site like you have at parking stations....or, have an APP for phones to pay... dc
conocean Posted August 4, 2017 Report Posted August 4, 2017 5 hours ago, Wanaflatsfish said: Hey, I know that spot dc Totally! My friend's dad used to line-up his boat and pole directly towards that tower in the background starting right about where Coto's holding that linesider. This is going back to the summer of 1989. Ahhhh, the good ole days! An ENP rep told me this morning that the future rec boat fee will either be made payable online or at the ENP visitor center. Annual stickers to post on our hull's may become the norm. No sticker or printed permit while in the ENP = high likelihood of being hooked up with a fat fine. Rec Chokoloskee residents (like myself) may be exempt from the fee or pay a lesser amount because the island actually lies within the ENP and the locals have already started screaming so I understand the discussion is ongoing. I'm going to pay whatever I have to in order to avoid being harassed while I'm trying to enjoy serenity in my home waters.
jason p Posted August 5, 2017 Report Posted August 5, 2017 May be time to dust off the buggies a little before hunting season. Oh wait, annual ORV stickers for Big Cypress National Park are $100 also!
hawg Posted August 5, 2017 Report Posted August 5, 2017 Perhaps if they cut back on their fleet of $100,000 Park Ranger boats that sit unused in the lagoon at Flamingo, they could forego this outrageous fee increase.
conocean Posted August 7, 2017 Report Posted August 7, 2017 Looks like the required boater annual pass* will be $50 starting July 2018. * Implementation of boater education program begins in January 2018; fee charges proposed to begin July 2018. https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/news/proposed-changes-to-fee-program-help-everglades-national-park-tackle-maintenance-backlog.htm
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