just out of curiousity - does anyone know if the corp and twra require that the monday, tues, wed, thurs, fri, sat and sunday fishing tourneys have a permit? they are all clubs hosting paying events, not to mention they all have shotgun starts where everyone leaves at the same time or do the same rules not apply to them?

not trying to single out the fishermen but fair is fair in my book...

Well said on all points. The corp/twra is being ridiculous about issuing permits this year and is cracking down on all recreational events on the water. Both wakeboarding tournaments (Board Bonanza and Wakefest) are not happening this year because the authorities want on and off water security at Lone Branch recreation in Cedar Creek. This cost is in excess of $3k for each tourney and something the shops that put them on can't afford. These are events that have been going on for 10-15 years without an issue, without security and have participants from 4 years old to 60 years old competing. Turns out wakeboarding can't be a sport without tournaments and the people we pay our tax dollars and boat registration to are prohibiting us from our well deserved freedom on the water. My uncle Chris helps run the Priest Lake Summer Jam to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters and apparently that was shut down due to the lack of permit. It seems it means nothing to these people if its a charitable event or not. I really hope something can be worked out for you guys run.

What is ridiculous is that bass tournaments and 11am beer funneling happen every week on our area lakes without permits. There are at least 5 bass tournaments ran out of Old Hickory and Priest on any given week of the summer, they can have up to 100 boats, all launching at the same time running 50-90mph - A non-issue with the corp or twra there obviously. The difference with bass fishing is you have guys paying for fishing licenses, boat registration and the TWRA is so worried about the fish and wildlife that they will never prevent them from doing anything. Then you have two foot with ridiculous amounts of boats in it with beer funneling teens, guns being pulled and drunken fights happening almost every weekend. Other than a few well needed BUI's being issued, I don't see them breaking up the party there. Wouldn't surprise me if you had to apply for a permit to play volleyball out there pretty soon.

If the fun run doesn't get approved, we need to get all recreational boaters together that have been effected by the corp/twra's b/s this year and approach them with a petition and put up some sort of fight so this doesn't happen again in the future.

In addition, i just called my friend who fishes tournaments all the time and he said that most of your local fishing clubs do not get permits to run their tournaments. He did mention that most tournament directors will have staggered starts when more than 25 boats are involved.

just out of curiosity who is handling this?? I have some friends in high places and may be able to provide some assistance..THANKS!!!

MCPA may not be able to have a FunRun this year?? oh wow, what a bummer b/c ironically ive invited my closest 75 boater friends to come over for a weekend on the water and then when we get done boating we were all going to get together as friends to eat and play poker

It probably isn't too early to begin thinking about a contingency plan. There are a lot of people coming from out of town, hotel reservations have been made, and it sounds like Anchor High is making arrangements for the group as well.

Has the Corps and/or TWRA laid out details of what they think is acceptable to get a permit (or what they will "tolerate" without a hassle and requiring a permit)?

Is the Friday lock thru downtown still on, or do we have to have a permit for that too?? If not, why can't we have a "spirited" run upstream Sat and a raft up? We don't have to have card stops........get them in an envelope at the raft up. Maybe put an envelope in there too addressed to VFW Post 9851. Some folks may decide to send a tax deductible charitable donation. What would we be missing.......a T shirt and a couple of meals?? Just a thought.....

On permit issuance from TWRA:
The TRR/Knoxville Poker Run and Chattanooga Poker Runs are on TVA, not Corps of Engineer lakes, but both are also governed by TWRA. Did TWRA issue permits for those poker runs? If so what's the difference with them approving the same event for Old Hickory? That would be arbitrary treatment and enforcement of law.
On permit issuance from the Corps of Engineers:
Lake Cumberland IS a Corps impoundment. They are running not one, but 2 poker runs there. Did the Corps issue a permit for those poker runs? If so, what's the difference in issuing a permit for a downstream Cumberland River impoundment (Old Hickory)? That also would be arbitrary treatment and enforcement of the law.
I think there's something bigger at play behind all this, and I wonder what it it really is.........
Our license fees support the TWRA. Our federal taxes pay for the Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard.
I thought Nashville was a tourist friendly city, whatever the event being held was. What about the revenue generated by gas, food, and drink sales, and hotel room rentals?
Regards,
Steve

Lots of good points and ideas in the previous posts. The good news is that the Corp issued their permit this morning after we agreed to address their concerns. I am optimistic that TWRA will now release their permit as they appear to be coordinating with the Corp on this. The follow up with TWRA is taking place today. Our friends at the VFW have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work on this.

No permit is required for the Friday lunch run.

Best regards,

RP

Hope you guys get it. Our group from Cumberland so looks forward to this run every year.