San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

BeatTheSkunk wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 4:10 pm2. I vaguely recall a post from last year, I am guessing that it was either from @DarkShadow or @camobass (apologies if I am mistaken on the correct identity, so feel free to set the record straight) but this person cautioned against lodging complaints about, what at the time was related to the rental boats being too hot and burning people from their raw metal surfaces and/or lack of seats, in addition to the "poor" condition of the road.

It wasn't me that mentioned the hot seats, but did mention the analysis of the financials of the situation.

First, let me refer to a great quote that people need to understand a bit better:

JWall wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:17 pmIn the grand scheme of things, there are not enough of us to matter.

Ding, ding, ding! We *may* think there are enough of us, simply because we are members of a fishing message board and we all share the same passion. Go ask your average San Diegoan (is that the correct term?) what Barrett Lake is. You'll get a good reality check there.

The City of San Diego funds places like Barrett based on ROI. But, simply because you think Barrett is a 'cash cow,' doesn't make it so.

The analogy I used in previous posts was that of the 2 siblings who get a monthly stipend to run a business. Parents give them each $100 a month.

Kid #1 runs a lemonade stand. At the end of the month, they have grossed $200, which means a $100 profit. Success! But, the parents need to drive the kid to get lemons and sugar, they have to provide the water, they have to help the kid set up the stand every day, they have to worry about Chester The Molester driving by, they have to give up their kitchen so the kid can squeeze the lemons and make a mess, sugar all over the counters.



Kid #2 invests in the stock market (using the T.A.C.O. investment strategy). At the end of the month, they have grossed $500. A $400 profit. Also success, without even having to get up. And all the parents had to do was feed and house the kid.

Now, if the parents are focused on profits over feelings, they can tell Kid #1 to kick rocks, and the $100 a month they used to spend on them, now goes to kid #2. Now instead of the $400 profit, it becomes $800.

And the City of San Diego is happy. And they don't have ants on the kitchen counter.

So, the moral of the story, reservoirs in SoCal are big 5 gallon water jugs. They were never meant for recreation and if the water districts would have their way, they'd kick every one out, much like MWD did at Lake Mathews. Why do you think SD lakes are not open every day?

I'm not saying to not sign a petition to grade the road, but just understand where Barrett Lake is at in the over all totem pole of San Diego fiscal priorities.

Exactly Dark Shadow. Plus I doubt I have ever talked about Barrett to a non fisherman where they had any idea where it is. After trying to explain, I just say BFE

TommyP wrote: Thu Aug 21, 2025 7:51 am
Ps Stunning Day out there yesterday.....I think by the early aftn we had the lake to ourselves.....lost a few nice uns......

TommyP

I was surprised, I guess the heat? Drove through the honor camp up to the ranch early morning, didn’t look that busy. On the way out around 2pm, the lake looked almost empty

No. We'd be watching prices soar after scalpers buy them all up. F that.

Camobass......I left you a PM

TommyP

Never got it

I just came across this thread. Great work Tommy. Monthly ticket sales is definitely the way to go.

I’ve been fishing Barrett for 20+ years and remember when they used to have more boats. I’m not sure if this is the new normal but Laurie mentioned earlier in the year that they were only using 15 boats. Has the city considered going to something like 25? May-July tickets are still incredibly difficult to get. Maybe my Ticketmaster fingers are slowing with age! While I love having the lake seemingly to myself at times, Barrett could easily handle 25-30 boats, especially in those early months when fish are everywhere. More boats would mean more people get to fish, the city pulls in more money, and maybe they could lower the price a little so people aren’t squeezed out.

Along the same lines, why not try to open the lake 4 days a week for the first couple of months?

Cheers

Dave

All good points Dave. It does look like monthly sales of the tickets is the majority opinion. If you remember we came real close to loosing the boat rentals because of motor issues 3 years ago. The City is replacing them as they can. I think the number is about 10 new ones received so far. So with the old and new, 15 boat rentals was agreed upon. A good number when you take into account there is really only 3 staff at Barrett. That is important as we don't want that messed with. As talked about above Barrett can generate enough $$ to easily sustain itself, but all the $$ generated from ticket sales goes into the City's General Fund.......which I think is wrong. The issues of the lakes being closed 1 day a week has been repeatedly brought up with the City. Yes it is frustrating, but it is still open. After this last budget fight I think the City Council pays a little closer attention to our need, wants and concerns. As always I invite all to get or stay involved. Look up Friends of SD Lakes on Facebook.

TommyP

Ps fun day yesterday at the B.....in speaking to all it seems like it has slowed down a bit. Most of my fish came deeper....10 to 25 feet.

i think the month before is still best. Most of us cant plan that far ahead and stuff happens that would make people need to cancel/sell.

FOR ME, the issue was never i want to buy for 2 month out, its been the way Ticketmaster's site works etc.

Lets talk more about the new boats!!! (-:

My vote: sell the month before

Side note: Staffing. Since its a budget thing, Id be willing to guess that people here would be willing to "volunteer" now and then to help and be able to fish part of the day. Maybe save one of the old boats for that volunteer and they get a day on the water for volunteering?

Camobass.....sent another PM.....hopefully got it this time.

TommyP