Seep Lakes Low Lifes

[Rick D.]

Hi fellow Fisherman,
My family camps at the Seep Lakes multiple times a year. We love the fishing, and the usual serenity of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. We normally camp at Heart Lake. We had arrived on Thu June 27th. We left our campsite Sunday June 30th to target the sand dunes at Potholes Reservoir and Lind Coulee. After a fun day of catching Bass and swimming with my family, we returned to our campsite, to find it had been ransacked. We came back at 4:30 Pm. They stole all of our camping chairs, (One of them was a blue love seat and a kids red chair, two of our coolers, (a green Coleman and a blue extreme cooler that I just received for father's day), a red water jug, a tent fan (brand new), 4 tupperware bins(2 dry food, 1 with lanterns and propane, 1 with camping kitchen stuff), our coleman stove, our dog food, all of my birthday presents from my wife and son, a homemade bag that contained bungees, spider web, tent bag, stakes, hammer, and other miscellaneous packages, and a boom box CD player. We talked to two nice couples at a nearby lake that said there were multiple guys partying at Heart Lake. Playing loud music and jumping off cliffs. We had only missed them by an hour. They said that they headed toward Long Lake. There were four guys in a white Pathfinder and some more in a gray Honda We talked to many people on the way and searched for 3 1/2 hours to no avail. I know this is lengthy but I'm hoping someone might have come across or know these scum bags. Also to put the word out to my fishing bretheren so it doesn't happen to them. I can't beleive someone would steal all of a families food, drink, water, while out camping. That bothers us more than anything else that was taken. They also took my families 9 day vacation and shortened it by six days and took away our favorite camping spot. I could never be relaxed away from that campsite again. When we go camping, we live on our boat. I feel my family gives so much to the refuge by constantly bagging up litter and trash and these jerks repay us by violating us and our belongings. Please reply if you have any information. I know its a long shot, but you never know. If you see a white Pathfinder and a grey Honda in the Seeps, stay vigilant.

Fish On,
Rick D.

[Basshunter046]

Rick D. don't feel left out. My sister and her family and I camped over at Banks at Coulee City there on the lake about 17 years ago. We had our stuff out over night while sleeping in a camper and we had everything stolen also. Ice chests, fishing poles, tackle, camp stoves, lanterns, ect. Ever since I'm just spooked to leave my camp with stuff out. The bad thing is I still do cept for ice chests and what ever I can pack in my truck to lockup. We all like to go camping an leave stuff out so we can fish, hike, boat or just whatever then come back and have a nice evening to sit by a fire, eat some good grub and relax. Anyway I hope they can catch the bunch that stole your vacation!!!

[YellowBear]

Hi there Rick,
I am very sorry to hear this kind of news as I am a regular at the seep lakes.
My wife and I are over there every weekend and we WILL watch for your things.
I know the chances of getting anything back will be slim but you never know.
I will keep an eye out for the Pathfinder and the Honda.
A little country justice may be in order.
Unfortunatly most often when we have this happen its out of town punks that are the ones doing it.
I would like to thank you and your family for cleaning up after others.

[gpc]

Wow, this is terrible. And really scares the hell out of me. We were just at soda lake. Every other time we would go driving, over to mar don and fish, drive to an other lake, or just go into mosses lake. Each one of these things takes a couple hours, leaving the campsite unattended. I think it was the heat that kept us under the canopy the whole time, so the camp site had people at it the whole time. Man this could have been me, as well as you. I feel really sorry for you and your family. This is a long shot but call the police and tell them what you got stolen. There is a small chance they recovered all your things one way or another, but if they dont know its yours, youll never get it back. But if they know who the stuff belongs too, youll get it back. Like I said its a long shot, but its a step in the right dirrection. Once again very sorry about your vacation

[beerman1981]

I guess this is an eye opener for all of us. We spend a full week on the Snake River every year, and always leave camp to go into the tri cities. It will definately make me think twice about what is left out. I am really sorry to hear about what happened to you. What a terribble end to a fun fishing trip. It is so unfortunate that we are in a time where we need to be concerned about locking things up like food and water, so that they are not stolen. I could understand looters stealing things of value (as terrible as it is), but stealing food is just downright rotten.

It is kind of ironic you posted this article. I was just about to post a question about fishing seeps lake. I am considering targetting the area in the very near future, and I have never been there before. I will definately keep my eyes on my vehicle, and also keep them out for the vehicle you described. Once again, I am very sorry this had to happen to you. It only takes a few people to ruin a very good experience for many. Hopefully karma will come through, and those individuals will have the same done to them. After this experience, you are deserving of the state record largemouth.

Joe

[Bodofish]

Beerman,
Don't let it slow you down. lots of cheap motels not far away. No campfire but your stuff is safe and you can plug in the batt's at night.

[littleriver]

It's been a while since I've camped at the seeps. My wife has a teeshirt that says "I camp at the Hilton"..

We've been married over 25 years so that's about how long it's been since I've camped at all. Used to camp there and at other places around Eastern WA quite a bit before I found out about her "Hilton" preference though... never had any problems then, but boy that was a long, long time ago.....


I'm especially surprised that it happened at the heart lake campsite... I've been in that area many times... mostly over at the Windmill lake camping area (which is very close) where I park to access North Windmill and Virgin Lakes which I like to hike into with my float tube from time to time but it always seemed like there was lots of people around and everyone was on the up and up. Had heard from talking to some of the regulars that there are times when WSU students camp there (spring break or something like that) and they really make a racket but that was as bad as I thought it got... and, of course, there were those signs about 5 years ago saying that someone had been murdered in the canal lake area and they were looking for clues but it sounded like that unlucky camper had been way out in the boondocks west of canal lake.. not in one of the regular campsites.

Upper Goose can be a pain when the weather is hot because there are a bunch of locals who use the ramp for partying and to launch and support water skiing activities...... definitely want to stay away from that lake on hot summer weekends...

[skeeter bassin]

Unfortunately this is a big problem. While fishing at Tanwax I had my vehicle broken into and the stereo stolen, and while duck hunting near the Green river had my truck stolen. I sympathize with what you went through. Nothing like taking your newly trained dog out on her first hunt and coming out with her, 2 birds, a shotgun, and no truck to get into. Not too mention having to stand on the side of the road with a gun in your hands as State Patrol arrives.

We all need to be on the lookout for each other when we are out. Take note of who is camping around you and if you see something strange happening at your fellow campers site, take note of it. Try and write down anything odd so it is not lost. After being victimized in the past I do these things now.

Unfortunately alot of these places we go to are too far out of the way for law enforcement to patrol, it is up to us to take care of each other.

[panfisher]

you can't even leave your vehicle out of your site they'll get broken into if you are parked at a trailhead by yourself. they have been having this problem in the quincy wildlife area. was told that they tried some decoy's but no takers. same problem around the i-82 ponds. if there is glass on the ground i would think twice leaveing one unattended. you almost need to have someone come along as a camp watcher. its bad when you pull up to spot only to see a certain group of people close by so you feel you have to keep one eye on the pole and the other on them. maybe they need to make an exploding die pack for camping, and some exlax food and drink in the bogus cooler????? -< -< )',//<