Quagga Patrol!!!

[GETBOATS]

Sunday 5/26, 2 in the afternoon, seas were big here at the strip, what the heck loaded up my wife and went for a putt. Ran down to the casino idling around then headed north to the dam running no more than 20 mph, tabs down to smooth the ride, like I said just a putt. Going out of my way to wave to all the Sheriffs on the water, glad they are there!! Rounded the dog leg where looking north you can see the dam. Had intended on floating but we counted 74 boats floating in that section alone. Weaved slowly to the dam and back down river, put it on plane just before you get to the sand bar to your right. Anyway, approaching Big Bend, Sheriff on my right in front of Big Bend restaurant, waved like normal and he waved back, again we are barely on plane 20 maybe, (wife hates more than 30). Continue the Big Bend corner, I'm now in the shadow of rock face when I hear siren, look behind us and see lights on!! I think get over he wants bye, something big must have just happened down river. NOPE!!! He motions to me..........HUH I comply shutting down. He respectfully does not get to closer than 5 feet maybe, as water was pretty rough. Have to admit I was agitated by the stop, so I jumped up on the hatch asking how I could help them. Ive got a no beer rule on my boat and this is why, like they always do, the two of them spread out to get a good look in the boat. Point man proceeds to tell me my Quagga mussel sticker has expired, I didn't say what I was thinking not knowing if a citation could be written for this type of infraction, but are you serious!! What I wanted to say was: Why don't you guys follow me and I'll show you a dozen overloaded boat way beyond CG capacity, kids riding in bows of boats arms dangling in the water, personal water craft being stupid, dudes pulling big mable taking up the whole river, I could go on and on. Not sure if I got profiled or what, maybe they are now targeting 66 year old couples out for a cruise LOL wife is blonde though LOL but really what a bunch of BS. Dry hole here, hit the next one. I know they were just doing their job, but priorities boys!! Bad judgment on their part for sure. Oh, big American flag flying to boot, I've always had deep respect for them especially the last few years with all the De-fund crap. I wasn't going to post but a a couple others with sketchy stops, so here I am!!

 

[hallett21]

The only thing I can think of is that they were tired of pulling over the crazies. They logged a stop and got to kill 15-20 mins.

As a LEO you’re shooting fish in a barrel on a holiday weekend. I don’t know why they’d bother with registration issues.

 

[Tank]

Random BUI check

Throw that hook out there, see what’cha catch.

 

[Xstream]

Did they write you a citation ?

 

[HBCraig]

I didn't know the quagga stickers had expiration dates. Also, where would you get a current one?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I had that happen to me once at Copper Canyon. I was driving the family jet boat with my father and some of his friends. All were silver haired. We went into copper past the cops at the front of the canyon, looked around and came right back out. Cops pulled me over and gave me a field sobriety check.

I never drink on the boat, and everyone else in the boat was over 60 and clearly not drinking either. I know they did it to make a statement that they were willing to do it, but they just wanted to show it and I was a safe choice that wouldn’t result in coming off station.

Am I mad they did it? Maybe a little for wasting my time, and again, they know where the problem is but would rather show action than take action. It’s a deterrent of sorts I get it.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I didn't know the quagga stickers had expiration dates. Also, where would you get a current one?

Aren’t they color matched to the current year sticker? So you should swap them for the new ones they send with your new reg stickers?

You’d get them from the ca dmv.

 

[rivrrts429]

Aren’t they color matched to the current year sticker? So you should swap them for the new ones they send with your new reg stickers?

You’d get them from the ca dmv.

I think the point being that if you paid registration then you paid the quagga muscle fee as well. If current registration was good why would they want to pick shit with the chickens? It’s a bullshit stop that maybe they were thinking could lead to bigger infractions, dunno.

 

[77charger]

I think the point being that if you paid registration then you paid the quagga muscle fee as well. If current registration was good why would they want to pick shit with the chickens? It’s a bullshit stop that maybe they were thinking could lead to bigger infractions, dunno.

That’s the goal. Use any reason they can to stop you. Well legally they can just straight up stop you for a safety check. But that looks bs to most so they will look for other reasons first.

I have been pulled over at copper because cop said he saw a wake told me the water was not completely flat. another time was for expired sticker and I knew it. I had forgot my new stickers and parents were coming up so they brought them. Never cited just checked out for drinking.

But the reasons they can stop you for are numerous. Sticker spacing,registration numbers (fonts and spacing) etc.

 

[BoatCop]

What you have to remember about California Agencies on the River, is that on Holiday weekends they bring in extra officers from all over the County to assist in the "high traffic" areas. AZ Game & Fish also does this. The "surge" officers may have had the basic boating training, but boating may not be their primary assignment, nor the River their primary OPAREA.

"Fish-in-barrel" violations, such as Quagga stickers, Number violations, wake within 200' feet of a dock or swim area (such as discussed in the "Lower River" thread), etc. are the favorites for officers that don't want to get destroyed by defense attorneys on judgement based offenses, like Careless/Reckless Operation, etc. Even experienced deputies might be used to routinely enforcing the 200' limit on Diamond Lake, Perris, Elsinore, Arrowhead, Big Bear, etc. they may not be in tune with the unique circumstances on the Colorado River.

 

[4Waters]

I think the point being that if you paid registration then you paid the quagga muscle fee as well. If current registration was good why would they want to pick shit with the chickens? It’s a bullshit stop that maybe they were thinking could lead to bigger infractions, dunno.

Negative, it is 2 different transactions. Guys that only boat in saltwater were complaining that they were paying for a sticker that doesn't pertain to them so California made it 2 different transactions.

 

[Melloyellovector]

I think the point being that if you paid registration then you paid the quagga muscle fee as well. If current registration was good why would they want to pick shit with the chickens? It’s a bullshit stop that maybe they were thinking could lead to bigger infractions, dunno.

Ca registration and muscle sticker are not combined. im registered ca and don’t do muscle sticker ( I think it’s like 16.00 extra ) because I don’t want a bunch of stickers on my vector, lol

 

[rivrrts429]

I just pay the fee so maybe I thought it was one transaction. Just feels like there are hotter fires for LEO’s to put out besides a sticker but, maybe there isn’t lol

 

[evantwheeler]

What you have to remember about California Agencies on the River, is that on Holiday weekends they bring in extra officers from all over the County to assist in the "high traffic" areas. AZ Game & Fish also does this. The "surge" officers may have had the basic boating training, but boating may not be their primary assignment, nor the River their primary OPAREA.

"Fish-in-barrel" violations, such as Quagga stickers, Number violations, wake within 200' feet of a dock or swim area (such as discussed in the "Lower River" thread), etc. are the favorites for officers that don't want to get destroyed by defense attorneys on judgement based offenses, like Careless/Reckless Operation, etc. Even experienced deputies might be used to routinely enforcing the 200' limit on Diamond Lake, Perris, Elsinore, Arrowhead, Big Bear, etc. they may not be in tune with the unique circumstances on the Colorado River.

Is it the officers purpose to generate revenue on these weekends to justify their presence? To your knowledge are quotas issued for these kinds of weekends?

Rhetorical question - Why write bullshit tickets if your purpose isnt to generate revenue?

 

[rivrrts429]

Is it the officers purpose to generate revenue on these weekends to justify their presence? To your knowledge are quotas issued for these kinds of weekends?

Rhetorical question - Why write bullshit tickets if your purpose isnt to generate revenue?

I don’t think much of the ticket revenue finds it’s way back to the county.

I don’t know that I would call it a quota as much as an expectation.

It’s a shitty job dealing with the public and those that want to argue. Most LEO’s have been cool but there’s always that one.

 

[DBMX]

I think the point being that if you paid registration then you paid the quagga muscle fee as well. If current registration was good why would they want to pick shit with the chickens? It’s a bullshit stop that maybe they were thinking could lead to bigger infractions, dunno.

I got my new registration at AAA last week and didn thtink about the Quaga stickers (everything else is registered in AZ). I was pretty biter when I got home and realized they did not give/charge me for the muscles stickers at the same time. Had to go back the next day to get them. Seems like it should be all at the same time automatically?

 

[NicPaus]

I got my new registration at AAA last week and didn thtink about the Quaga stickers (everything else is registered in AZ). I was pretty biter when I got home and realized they did not give/charge me for the muscles stickers at the same time. Had to go back the next day to get them. Seems like it should be all at the same time automatically?

AAA told me they are not allowed to tell you about the mussel sticker. Only sell it to you if you ask. It's BS. Used to be included with registration.

 

[RiverDave]

I am not entirely sure of what the point of a quagga muscle sticker is at this point being that every lake and river connected to the Colorado has them? I think it’s like 2 lakes in as that don’t?

Why not just protect those lakes.. what good does it do to try and put stickers on a boat when everywhere already has it?

And quagga muscle sticker expired? I didn’t even know there was quagga muscle stickers? That an ax thing too?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I am not entirely sure of what the point of a quagga muscle sticker is at this point being that every lake and river connected to the Colorado has them? I think it’s like 2 lakes in as that don’t?

Why not just protect those lakes.. what good does it do to try and put stickers on a boat when everywhere already has it?

And quagga muscle sticker expired? I didn’t even know there was quagga muscle stickers? That an ax thing too?

Nope not an AZ thing.

 

[dirtracer]

Nope not an AZ thing.

Explains alot message received

 

[hallett21]

I am not entirely sure of what the point of a quagga muscle sticker is at this point being that every lake and river connected to the Colorado has them? I think it’s like 2 lakes in as that don’t?

Why not just protect those lakes.. what good does it do to try and put stickers on a boat when everywhere already has it?

And quagga muscle sticker expired? I didn’t even know there was quagga muscle stickers? That an ax thing too?

CA money grab for CA registered boats.

If you are ocean only you are legally not required to have the sticker.

 

[HBCraig]

Aren’t they color matched to the current year sticker? So you should swap them for the new ones they send with your new reg stickers?

You’d get them from the ca dmv.

That explains it. My boat is registered in Arizona

 

[GETBOATS]

Did they write you a citation ?

No, they did not.

 

[GETBOATS]

I didn't know the quagga stickers had expiration dates. Also, where would you get a current one?

Years back when Quagga started, just another tax, when purchasing a new boat the restration process with Ca. DNV could include a Quagga sticker along with your regular Ca. reg. sticker. When renewal came along it included Quagga, not any longer, you have to go to DMV's web site and buy one. Dmv did not handle this well when making that change. Trapping many Ca. fresh water boaters.

 

[GETBOATS]

I must have "STOP ME" written on my boat somewhere.

couple of years ago this happened, different boat though

Got lit up Sunday

Against my better judgment my wife and I went for a boat ride Sunday around noon. Lots of traffic, really heavy up by the dam, had to be off plane and weave your way, must have been 80-100 floating like usual. ok enough of this, lets head south, cruising at 30, stopped to swim a couple of...

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[stephenkatsea]

Additional on the water, lessor trained LEOs for a major holiday weekend . . . Perhaps. If so, they are placed there to provide additional protection of overall public safety. Pulling over a 66 yr old couple, traveling at a slower rate of speed, for possible BUI and an alleged expired Quggua Mussel sticker doesn’t go very far when it comes to promoting public safety. On the water egregious violations are very visible and abundant on major holiday weekends. I support nearly 100% of our LEOs. Idiots? . . .not so much.

 

[DaveH]

I am not entirely sure of what the point of a quagga muscle sticker is at this point being that every lake and river connected to the Colorado has them? I think it’s like 2 lakes in as that don’t?

Why not just protect those lakes.. what good does it do to try and put stickers on a boat when everywhere already has it?

And quagga muscle sticker expired? I didn’t even know there was quagga muscle stickers? That an ax thing too?

here in NV when you get your annual registration the muscle fee is added to it. So what the point of the stupid sticker for anyways? baffles me as i cant register my boat without paying the quagga fee.

 

[bocco]

The mussel stickers are now a separate transaction on the DMV website. I figured it out when I put the new stickers on my boat and the mussel stickers were expired.

It's pretty quick to get them online at the DMV website.

The colors do need to match which makes it easy to spot out of date tags.

 

[BoatCop]

I am not entirely sure of what the point of a quagga muscle sticker is at this point being that every lake and river connected to the Colorado has them? I think it’s like 2 lakes in as that don’t?

Why not just protect those lakes.. what good does it do to try and put stickers on a boat when everywhere already has it?

And quagga muscle sticker expired? I didn’t even know there was quagga muscle stickers? That an ax thing too?

What funds they collect are (supposed to be) used to provide cleaning stations, and pay for the inspections at State lines and launch areas, public information/education campaigns and research to reduce or eradicate invasive species. Most inland lakes in California, (Elsinore, Folsom, Pyramid, etc) don't get water from the Colorado, and these are the types of Lakes they're trying to protect.

Same with the Salt River Lakes in AZ. Saguaro, Apache, Roosevelt, etc. aren't connected to the Colorado. Lake Pleasant is the only interior lake in AZ that gets water from the River. Alamo is connected to the Colorado River, but the flow is from Alamo TO Havasu, and since most of the path along the Bill Williams is underground, through natural sand/rock/sediment filters, the mussels or their veligers (microscopic baby mussels) can't travel up to the lake.

You all have to realize, that this isn't a "local" problem, and goes far beyond our own little boating world. While there's not a whole lot that can be done on already infected lakes, the main effort now is to keep it from expanding to unaffected lakes.

And regarding the false claims of "revenue collecting", very little, if any, of the fines & sur-charges collected through the courts gets back to the Agencies doing the actual enforcement. (Except for special provisions on specific statutes to encourage strict enforcement on people who fraudulently try to avoid registration costs, by registering out of state, for example). No boating violations have funds going from the courts, back to the Agencies. And whatever funds do go to the jurisdictions (city, county state) is a very small percentage, less than 10% of the collected funds. Most of the collected fines go to run the courts.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

What funds they collect are (supposed to be) used to provide cleaning stations, and pay for the inspections at State lines and launch areas, public information/education campaigns and research to reduce or eradicate invasive species. Most inland lakes in California, (Elsinore, Folsom, Pyramid, etc) don't get water from the Colorado, and these are the types of Lakes they're trying to protect.

Same with the Salt River Lakes in AZ. Saguaro, Apache, Roosevelt, etc. aren't connected to the Colorado. Lake Pleasant is the only interior lake in AZ that gets water from the River. Alamo is connected to the Colorado River, but the flow is from Alamo TO Havasu, and since most of the path along the Bill Williams is underground, through natural sand/rock/sediment filters, the mussels or their veligers (microscopic baby mussels) can't travel up to the lake.

You all have to realize, that this isn't a "local" problem, and goes far beyond our own little boating world. While there's not a whole lot that can be done on already infected lakes, the main effort now is to keep it from expanding to unaffected lakes.

And regarding the false claims of "revenue collecting", very little, if any, of the fines & sur-charges collected through the courts gets back to the Agencies doing the actual enforcement. (Except for special provisions on specific statutes to encourage strict enforcement on people who fraudulently try to avoid registration costs, by registering out of state, for example). No boating violations have funds going from the courts, back to the Agencies. And whatever funds do go to the jurisdictions (city, county state) is a very small percentage, less than 10% of the collected funds. Most of the collected fines go to run the courts.

I know Castaic has them, Teague tested my boat there once and it got a red tag on the way out.

Do you know the status of Piru? Perris? Big Bear?

I believe Silverwood already got them too?

 

[rivermobster]

I had to pay for mine separately, online. And there is NO renewal notice!!!

Stupid CA.

 

[zhandfull]

I had that happen to me once at Copper Canyon. I was driving the family jet boat with my father and some of his friends. All were silver haired. We went into copper past the cops at the front of the canyon, looked around and came right back out. Cops pulled me over and gave me a field sobriety check.

I never drink on the boat, and everyone else in the boat was over 60 and clearly not drinking either. I know they did it to make a statement that they were willing to do it, but they just wanted to show it and I was a safe choice that wouldn’t result in coming off station.

Am I mad they did it? Maybe a little for wasting my time, and again, they know where the problem is but would rather show action than take action. It’s a deterrent of sorts I get it.

Watched a lot of field sobriety test on YouTube from Florida. I don’t drink and have pretty much decided that I would never participate in those stupid games. Prepared to be arrested and have boat impounded before that would happen.

 

[RiverDave]

What funds they collect are (supposed to be) used to provide cleaning stations, and pay for the inspections at State lines and launch areas, public information/education campaigns and research to reduce or eradicate invasive species. Most inland lakes in California, (Elsinore, Folsom, Pyramid, etc) don't get water from the Colorado, and these are the types of Lakes they're trying to protect.

Same with the Salt River Lakes in AZ. Saguaro, Apache, Roosevelt, etc. aren't connected to the Colorado. Lake Pleasant is the only interior lake in AZ that gets water from the River. Alamo is connected to the Colorado River, but the flow is from Alamo TO Havasu, and since most of the path along the Bill Williams is underground, through natural sand/rock/sediment filters, the mussels or their veligers (microscopic baby mussels) can't travel up to the lake.

You all have to realize, that this isn't a "local" problem, and goes far beyond our own little boating world. While there's not a whole lot that can be done on already infected lakes, the main effort now is to keep it from expanding to unaffected lakes.

And regarding the false claims of "revenue collecting", very little, if any, of the fines & sur-charges collected through the courts gets back to the Agencies doing the actual enforcement. (Except for special provisions on specific statutes to encourage strict enforcement on people who fraudulently try to avoid registration costs, by registering out of state, for example). No boating violations have funds going from the courts, back to the Agencies. And whatever funds do go to the jurisdictions (city, county state) is a very small percentage, less than 10% of the collected funds. Most of the collected fines go to run the courts.

My point to sum it up shortly was there’s only a couple unaffected lakes at this point it would be far easier to protect them then to harass the boaters of all the affected lakes.

My secondary point (which I have posted in the past) while the funds may not go directly back to the agencies.. if you hand me 100.00 and I put it in my right pocket and pay you out of my left.. is it any different?

 

[hallett21]

Watched a lot of field sobriety test on YouTube from Florida. I don’t drink and have pretty much decided that I would never participate in those stupid games. Prepared to be arrested and have boat impounded before that would happen.

If you’re sober just tell them to give you the breathalyzer. Pretty easy to say that you don’t consent to a field sobriety check on a rocking boat. If you met officer prick of the year I guess you say go draw my blood.

 

[GETBOATS]

I had to pay for mine separately, online. And there is NO renewal notice!!!

Stupid CA.

SURE THERE IS.............BOATS ARE GRAY WITH FLASHING LIGHTS!! I GOT MINE SUNDAY

 

[hallett21]

My point to sum it up shortly was there’s only a couple unaffected lakes at this point it would be far easier to protect them then to harass the boaters of all the affected lakes.

My secondary point (which I have posted in the past) while the funds may not go directly back to the agencies.. if you hand me 100.00 and I put it in my right pocket and pay you out of my left.. is it any different?

Pyramid and Castaic have them (they’re considered dirty now). Naci will be next.

 

[RiverDave]

I had to pay for mine separately, online. And there is NO renewal notice!!!

Stupid CA.

I think they should do away with them entirely and charge on the lakes that haven’t been affected for prevention. There’s not much you can do about it once it has been infected..

 

[mbrown2]

I had that happen to me once at Copper Canyon. I was driving the family jet boat with my father and some of his friends. All were silver haired. We went into copper past the cops at the front of the canyon, looked around and came right back out. Cops pulled me over and gave me a field sobriety check.

I never drink on the boat, and everyone else in the boat was over 60 and clearly not drinking either. I know they did it to make a statement that they were willing to do it, but they just wanted to show it and I was a safe choice that wouldn’t result in coming off station.

Am I mad they did it? Maybe a little for wasting my time, and again, they know where the problem is but would rather show action than take action. It’s a deterrent of sorts I get it.

So what infraction caused them to pull you over? Was a random safety inspection or something else. I would be pissed...pull me over and tell me why then I understand ....may not agree with it but I understand...but if you are randomly just doing FST's...that is BS.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I think they should do away with them entirely and charge on the lakes that haven’t been affected for prevention. There’s not much you can do about it once it has been infected..

I’m pretty sure they could come up with enough chlorine for a “solution”.

Problem is the enviro-weenies will throw a fit no matter what you do. They don’t make a distinction that temporary harm is part of a greater good.

 

[GETBOATS]

Ok, a quick search. do these lakes require Quaggq sticker? they do! water comes the Colorado system where them little devils thrive.

Perris, Diamond valley and probably many others also get water from the ca. aqueduct.

The aqueduct then heads south, eventually splitting into three branches: the Coastal Branch, ending at Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County; the West Branch, conveying water to Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County; and the East Branch, connecting Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County.

Why them are they so concerned about what drip from ny drain plug hole???

Big Bear, Arrowhead, Tahoe etc. Fine, keep them pristine, I support that effort.

 

[GETBOATS]

So what infraction caused them to pull you over? Was a random safety inspection or something else. I would be pissed...pull me over and tell me why then I understand ....may not agree with it but I understand...but if you are randomly just doing FST's...that is BS.

They said I passed them on plane within 200 ft when light were flashing as I recall, I was traveling somewhere around 22 MPH, that time they spent much more time looking in the boat.

 

[Racey]

I think the point being that if you paid registration then you paid the quagga muscle fee as well. If current registration was good why would they want to pick shit with the chickens? It’s a bullshit stop that maybe they were thinking could lead to bigger infractions, dunno.

The department of redundancy department

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I didn't receive the Quagga BS in this years registration and stickers that were mailed to me. I wonder if I should go to AAA and see about that?

 

[GETBOATS]

I didn't receive the Quagga BS in this years registration and stickers that were mailed to me. I wonder if I should go to AAA and see about that?

Don't AAA will do it, use https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehic...ster-your-boat-vessel/quagga-sticker-request/

 

[CommanderLee]

I just paid for mine online since the wife paid the registration and didn't pay for the Quagga stickers. Two weeks riding dirty is enough I suppose.

 

[4Waters]

What funds they collect are (supposed to be) used to provide cleaning stations, and pay for the inspections at State lines and launch areas, public information/education campaigns and research to reduce or eradicate invasive species. Most inland lakes in California, (Elsinore, Folsom, Pyramid, etc) don't get water from the Colorado, and these are the types of Lakes they're trying to protect.

Same with the Salt River Lakes in AZ. Saguaro, Apache, Roosevelt, etc. aren't connected to the Colorado. Lake Pleasant is the only interior lake in AZ that gets water from the River. Alamo is connected to the Colorado River, but the flow is from Alamo TO Havasu, and since most of the path along the Bill Williams is underground, through natural sand/rock/sediment filters, the mussels or their veligers (microscopic baby mussels) can't travel up to the lake.

You all have to realize, that this isn't a "local" problem, and goes far beyond our own little boating world. While there's not a whole lot that can be done on already infected lakes, the main effort now is to keep it from expanding to unaffected lakes.

And regarding the false claims of "revenue collecting", very little, if any, of the fines & sur-charges collected through the courts gets back to the Agencies doing the actual enforcement. (Except for special provisions on specific statutes to encourage strict enforcement on people who fraudulently try to avoid registration costs, by registering out of state, for example). No boating violations have funds going from the courts, back to the Agencies. And whatever funds do go to the jurisdictions (city, county state) is a very small percentage, less than 10% of the collected funds. Most of the collected fines go to run the courts.

Pyramid and Castaic have them (they’re considered dirty now). Naci will be next.

Pyramid, Castaic and Piru all have it, Pyramid was the first of them to get it and Pyramid supplies water to Piru and Castaic. I noticed that the water at Castaic was clearer than past years and I mentioned that to the Lifeguard, he responded it's because the muscles filter the water. He told me that it's there to stay. I figured they found out that they had a problem when they drew the water down to retrofit the water tower a few years back.

Yes they are still inspecting and tagging boats

 

[NicPaus]

Yeah Pyramid has them but good luck getting past the inspection. Ridiculous.

 

[Desert Whaler]

I used to buy the quagga sticker, then throw it in a dry box with my registration / insurance.
I'm not about to put something on my boat so stupid unless I'm forced too . . . it's ridiculous.
Never been checked . . . even at the inspection stations at Vidal, Yuma & the one outside Primm.
That and I mostly boat in the saltwater.
This year I didn't even pay for it . . . now watch, I probably just jinx'd myself & I'll get popped on my next river trip. LOL

 

[braindead]

CA money grab for CA registered boats.

If you are ocean only you are legally not required to have the sticker.

We boat in the delta and don’t run the mussel stickers and haven’t been bothered

 

[EarpRider]

Pay for the sticker, put it on your boat, super easy.
Takes less time then posting about getting pulled over for not having it.