Theft at Caney Fork
 

The same gang, possibly tweakers, robbed about 8 vehicles in the parking lot at the dam today (and Happy Hollow, and even Edgar Evins State Park).

I had an odd, aggressive run-in with people I believe were the suspects when I first arrived. They seemed to be looking for a fight. I blew it off and fished further down river. When I returned to the parking lot a few hours later, I ran into some folks who had observed the scene earlier. Apparently, the same 4 people (2 men, 2 women) kept walking between the dam and the parking lot and making people uneasy. They informed me that the cops were there and several cars had had their windows busted open.

Be careful out there, folks! I do not own a gun but today is the first time I've considered having some protection in the car.

I never leave home without it.....in an inconspicuous pouch. 20 rounds of 'f' you for the bad guys.
You don't bother me, I don't bother you.
Vietnam point man who made it home, not willing to be taken out by punk thieves.

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I was supposed to head out there tomorrow. Kind of second guessing it. Unless they caught the crackheads!

I've been thinking about this, carrying that is... Is there any laws about carrying while fishing ?

Better to be judged by 12 than carried by six!

Another law to live by...."A gun is like a parachute, if you don't have one when you need one, you probably won't ever need one again."

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You will need to have a concealed carry license to be legal. In TN, you can carry in your vehicle without a license because it is considered an extension of your home. Your boat is not.

Like Merv said, if you are concerned, better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

Man, I am glad we stopped fishing early then, they cranked open the sluice gate around 9 am yesterday.



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You can't legally carry on COE or TWA property (legally). However, if you are carrying in an illegal zone and have to use the weapon to defend yourself you can't be prosecuted (per my instructor).
You can carry in your car without a permit. You can't get out of the car with it. At least you have some defense from road rage or car jacking.
Doc, get a permit and carry at all times. A gun left in the car is a gun awaiting to be stolen. Also you will not have time to go back to the car if you are attacked while not in it.

I hate thieves. I don't have much but what I have is mine. I need to get that carry permit because I have started get a little uneasy around some ramp anymore.

Merv Thanks for your service and glad you made it home!!!!!

Boat ramps can be some really dangerous places. All sorts of riff raff hang out there. I am always armed when fishing. I'm much less concerned on the water but coming and going from boat ramps I am always on alert.

This article was posted a few months back warning of the increased vehicle break-ins around the center hill/ Caney fork ramps.
https://fox17.com/news/local/officia...nter-hill-lake

I'm usually fishing down there at night and almost always worried about my car being broke into so I don't leave behind valuables and always carry a gun. The crazy thing as mentioned in the article is that its day time break ins.

I've seen many shady characters over the years at the ramps on the Caney that had no real business there. Most I suspect to be drug users or something of that nature. Never had anything stolen or any bad run ins, but again Im always carrying and never leave behind anything worth stealing and nothing in plain sight...not ever a lure or tackle box in my seat. Thieves will steal anything.

Thanks for all the replies/advice. I think I've always had a false sense of security at boat ramps. I used to drive a 94 Camry p.o.s., so I really didn't worry about break-ins ("if they really need to steal plastic worms, they can have `em").

But now I'm a father and frequently bring my boys along. The idea that there are desperate people out there is unsettling. Here in East Nashville we've had a few fatal armed robberies lately (and a few senseless, random shootings).

Most unsettling to me were the break-ins at Edgar Evins. I took my sons camping there this summer. Going forward I'm going to be lot more vigilant about safety.

They are not concealed in Tennessee.. <'TK><
 

True TK. I misspoke on the verbiage

They are supposed to have one generator open today. Should I just fish Old Hickory?

Notify the COE too
 

Notify the Resource Managers office. I assume the COE still has rangers to keep an eye on their property. Don't assume that if the Sheriff's Dept. knows something the COE people do too.

I’d stay in the air conditioner based on yesterday!!!


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That's where I am!

Caney
 

Sorry to hear about the problems. Not surprised though. When you have 900 people on the River at a time. Crime will follow. I am sick what has happened to this River. I fished this River 40 years ago and to see it now, makes me sad.

Grouseman

Well I went to the dam area at the Caney yesterday and did not see anything that resembled this kind of trouble, maybe because it was so busy. You'd think you were at Opry Mills.... there were so many people and there was an incessant stream of kayaks and conoes while trying to fish. It was the first time in a long time there, my regular fishing buddy was on vacay and Old Hick is in the dog days do this was the plan. The parking lot has more than doubled, and it was full. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate why everyone wants to go, it is beautiful, cool clear water and all that. The nice quiet days of wading this river on weekends looks to be gone, victims of Nashville's unbridled growth and cheap but serviceable kayaks. I caught a dozen stockers, kept a limit and got back on the road home. Maybe after I retire and can fish during the week I'll go back, but not until then.

The Mad Caney
 

I agree. The volume of people is ridiculous.

On Monday I fished the early hours with no one around but by 8AM it was Thunderdome with boaters with and without life jackets. At 8:45 the sluice gate lights started flashing and a core eng was on the dam telling the kayak flotilla to get away. With quizzical faces they moved back a tad.

In a newly purchased canoe two guys sans life jackets and a 3-4 four year old boy with a life jacket started paddling towards the dam in the strobe of the hazard lights. I told them, you better head back, it is going to be dangerous. Luckily they did.

Others hung in the middle of the pond gazing at the core eng waving his arms.
The flood of people I fear will result in more opportunities for disaster.
The resource is there for all but I am praying for frigid weather. Give me some snow to fish in.

Be safe.