North Dakotans Behaving Badly at the Boat Ramps

Unrulely Behaviour at the Boat Ramp

I recently asked local fishing guide Mike Peluso on-air during our weekly fishing report, what is the worst behaviour he's ever witnessed at the boat ramp before. He chuckled before he told me about a story where a woman was backing her husband into water, and somehow the boat fell off the trailer. The husband started yelling at her, and she just took off and left him at the ramp. He had numerous other stories that probably weren't fit for the radio.

Some People Have No Patience

I, too, have witnessed some terrible behaviour at North Dakota boat ramps. People seem to lose all patience for some reason, which is very ironic, considering fishing is supposed to be one of the more relaxing pastimes.

I recall a time at a Devils Lake boat ramp where we were at least 10 rigs deep waiting to drop into the water on a Sunday afternoon after a Vikings game. An elderly couple was having issues and holding up the line. That's when a couple of jerks decided to get out of their truck and literally told the couple to get out of the way, and started taking over the process without their permission. When I saw this and the language they were using towards this couple, that's when a buddy and I decided to step in. Let's say we taught them some respect in quick fashion.

Bad Behaviour Up at Van Hook

It looks like a similar issue took place up at Van Hook on Lake Sakakawea over the 4th of July holiday. Apparently, a boat was sinking at the ramp, and the people with the trailer were trying, asking, and even begging for people in line to help them, but it didn't happen. They were yelled at by numerous people and even spat on, if you can believe that. So much for North Dakota nice. Here's a look at the incident, along with a more detailed account from Van Hook Resort.

All I can say is that no walleye or whatever reason you have to get on the water would ever give you a reason to act like this. Whatever happened to just being a decent human being?

I was also told about numerous incidents at the Fox Island boat ramp this spring here in Bismarck, and people losing their patience because of long lines and our lack of public boat ramps.

Just think, if you act like this in public, I can only imagine what kind of person you are in private. Do better people. Learn kindness or sell your boat, and pick a new hobby like gardening.