Thread Of Letters RE: State Parks and Bear Lake Fishing Charters

To The Editor:

Do you think you could do a story on the info listed below for the RCT? I think it would only be fair and balanced reporting to give the second half of the story since you published the first half.

Thanks,

Brian Hirschi

The local fishing charter company (Bear Lake Fishing Charters) was recently given the chance to fulfill all the fishing charter reservations that they had booked for this summer free of charge using the Bear Lake State Park Marina facilities , but they declined the offer. This means that Bear Lake Fishing Charters could have conducted all the previously booked tours as they had been planning, and not have to pay any money whatsoever to the State Park, or to the existing park concessionaire. The State Park and the concessionaire sent Bear Lake Fishing Charters a letter stating they were willing to waive any and all fees in order that they could fulfill all the previously booked reservations as a gesture of good faith, but this good faith effort was not taken advantage of. 

This makes one wonder if all the reasons and accusations that were given publicly by Bear Lake Fishing Charters of why they couldn't conduct the fishing tours were actually the real reasons. Now that these alleged reasons are no longer in play, why not still complete all the booked fishing tours, and what are the actual real reasons?

I've attached a copy of the letter that was sent to Travis, and his response. This is confidential information, and I do not give permission to publish it, but it's provided to you as source evidence of the facts.

Thanks,
Brian Hirschi  

The State Parks letter written by Richard Droesbeck states that Parks and Recreation would allow Travis Hobbs to fulfill the fishing trips he had already booked prior to May 27, 2015.

" Under this agreement you would enter into a Special Use Permit (SUP) with Bear Lake State Park. The elements of the SUP would include:

1) The Park waiving the SUP application fee;

2) The Park waiving the percentage of gross receipts fee paid to BLH Enterprises;

3) Bear Lake Fishing Charters providing proof of insurance that meets Utah Division of Risk Management satisfaction;

4) Bear Lake Fishing Charters providing a list of the trips previously booked on or before May 27 , 2015 , including the date(s) booked, client names, and trip dates; and,

5) Bear Lake Fishing Charters providing proof of compliance with Utah's Carrying Passenger for Hire requirements to include: a current USCG Captain's license, proof of required first aid training, a local business license, and registration as an Outfitting Company."

Travis Hobb's email response to the state park letter that was sent to him offering to still be able to conduct his tours free of charge:

"To whom it may concern-

I have already refunded most of my clients that were booked. I'm not in the business of telling people I can not fulfill my commitments then calling them back asking them to re-book, I refuse to all to be in the same mess I am in now next year.

Bear Lake Fishing Charters is done, boats are on the market for sale now. Good luck, hopefully you are all proud, you got rid of me and the only chance you had at a successful fishing guide operation.

Travis Hobbs