We want to hear from you! If you vacation in Dunsmuir and have stayed in a vacation rental property, please take a moment to tell us a bit about yourselves, what you like about Dunsmuir, what you do when you’re here, why you choose to stay in a vacation rental – and most of all, will you return?
The Dunsmuir Vacation Rental Issue…
- A bit of common sense in the matter
16 comments
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August 30, 2008 at 7:34 am
Dunsmuir Vacation Rental Battle Continuing: Take a Minute to Help | The Trout Underground Fly Fishing Blog
[...] If you rent/fish/stay in Dunsmuir, you might want to visit his site, and then leave a quick supporting comment here. [...]
August 30, 2008 at 9:18 am
Don Gustafson
I’ve vacationed in Dunsmuir every year since 1994. I visit Dunsmuir primarily to fly fish on the Upper Sacramento River, but when my wife accompanies me, and she often does, we do a bit of shopping in town and sightseeing in the area. We enjoy the Dunsmuir shops and restuarants very much. Sometimes we rent vacation property, sometimes we stay at Cave Springs, and when my wife is not with me, I occasionally “rough it” by camping at Castle Crags.
Sincerely,
Don Gustafson
August 30, 2008 at 11:07 am
kbarton
I’ve stayed in numerous vacation rentals – typically for their location in regards the fishing. Dunsmuir is a good central location to pursue trout on the Upper Sacramento River – and the fishing in town can be quite good.
Eliminate the vacation rentals and I’d have to think about staying in Mount Shasta – being larger, they have the added appeal of additional amenities.
August 30, 2008 at 11:58 am
Jolyon Patten
Dear Sirs,
I find this all rather odd. I have not–yet–stayed in Dunsmuir, but I very much hope to be able to do so should the opportunity arise.
I am English, a solicitor (lawyer) in the City of London (England), a former member of HM Armed Forces and what you might generally call a member of the Establishment. I am a keen fly-fisherman and hope to visit your pleasant town, with which I am passingly familiar from Tom Chandler’s excellent website, for a spot of fishing during a business trip. I have also contributed to the local community coffers from afar, by ordering a cane rod from local craftsman, Chris Raine.
All this business about regulating (which seems to be a code for banning) vacation rental properties is utter tosh (‘garbage’), hardly community-minded and, at least to an admired of the traditional American virtues, strikes me as grotesquely un-American.
I do hope plain old commonsense prevails.
Best wishes
Jolyon Patten
August 30, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Stephen Patrick Morrissey
After all the years I’ve rental vacation property in Dunsmuir, I am shocked to hear that I have been labeled as a pedophile. The people of Dunsmuir have always been very kind and welcoming when I was in their town. Although I do not have any current reservations, I might think twice before spending my money in Dunsmuir again if they take away some of the very things I look for when vacationing.
I’m just amazed! I hope things don’t go the wrong way. I’m always dreaming of going back, but now I’ll have to watch and see if I’m even welcome again.
August 30, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Alastair Ingram
I have stayed in Dunsmuir probably at least a dozen times in the last ten years. I fly fish on the upper sac and Dunsmuir is very conveniently located. The town is pretty cool too. Tell these people who wish to stop vacation rentals in Dunsmuir to get a hobby. Fly fishing, perhaps?
August 31, 2008 at 6:23 am
Gary Lipking
Why would anyone in their right mind living in Dunsmuir want to do something to discourage fisherman and vacationeers from visiting Dunsmuir? It make no sense!! When we come to Dunsmuir to fish the Upper Sac, WE SPEND MONEY. Is Dunsmuir’s economy so good that they don’t need us anymore?
Good luck!!!!
Gary Lipking
Santa Rosa, CA
August 31, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Scott Chandler
You know how it is. You get roving bands of crazed fly fishermen in town, habituating the local restaurants, buying supplies from the local grocery stores, and gas from the gas stations, and the next thing you know, the locals band together to stand up to this kind of nonsense. It’s about time someone put a stop to this sordid behavior. Spending money in a town you don’t live in and then leaving! I mean, the nerve!
September 1, 2008 at 1:23 am
Mark Ostrom
Perhaps it has to do with this mostly: The Vacation Rental industry does not support either a Volunteer Fire Department, School taxes, local neighborhood watch or other civic organizations; In short: it does NOT build community it invites strangers into temporary lodging with all of it’s abuses and pleasures.
Should not the RESIDENTS of Dunsmuir have a major say in whether it’s town is turned slowly ( as is happening ) into a manager-less hotel with complete lack of civic responsibility or benefit other than selling a meal or two and some fishing lures for 3 MONTHS A YEAR?
After that, it becomes the SKI industry, and we all know how responsible SKIERS are !
Sheesh. Give the people a chance.
Editor:
This is a perfect example of the kind of stereotyping and fear-mongering going on the side of DCF; Vacation rental owners contribute nothing in the way of community spirit and/or taxes, the vacation rental properties are really hotels (still haven’t heard a reasonable explanation of how), and it invites irresponsible strangers (insinuation: DANGEROUS PEOPLE!) who contribute next to nothing to our town. It’s astounding at how persistent the naysayers are in their generalities and stereotypes.
September 1, 2008 at 6:41 am
Louis Fry
I’ve also enjoyed the use of a vacation rental cottage in Dunsmuir, and left a good bit of money in the local coffers. I’m not clear on exactly who is behind this latest absurdity. If it’s the local large landowners again, there may not be much to be done about it, except of course for what should be a pretty easy legal defense. But if it’s that bunch of supervisors again, you folks really need to consider recall or impeachment. I’m sure it’s not the water up there, and canyon fever’s not too likely this time of year, but there’s something around Dunsmuir which seems to cause lunacy far out of proportion to the size of the population. Maybe people need to stay as far away from Mt. Shasta as they can. I’ve certainly changed my mind about buying a vacation property there.
September 1, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Dunsmuir Vacation Rental Battle Continuing: Take a Minute to Help • Fishing made easy
[...] If you rent/fish/stay in Dunsmuir, you might want to visit his site, and then leave a quick supporting comment here. [...]
September 3, 2008 at 10:01 am
don phelps
It is hard to understand why this conversation is even taking place. There is obviously something under the surface, some underlying petty resentments that have broken open into the public forum that are not being honestly communicated. Controlling your neighbors property and income; driving people away from town; character assassination and bizarre stretches of logic indicate problems of a more personal nature not sincere attempts at solving real community social and economic problems. The folks who have decided that vacation rentals in Dunsmuir represent some kind of personal threat need to take a very deep and prolonged breath of fresh Dunsmuir air.
September 3, 2008 at 10:34 am
Joe Eberle
I’ve rented houses in Dunsmuir proper or the surrounding area for the past three years. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and come up primarily for the fishing, and because the area is so beautiful. What I really like about Dunsmuir is its proximity to the river, and I prefer vacation rentals over motels because they give me the flexibility of either cooking or going out to eat. They also allow everyone in my group to socialize in a comfortable and private setting. I like to rent houses that are right on the water if possible. That way, my older relatives can sit on the deck or in the yard and enjoy the sights and sounds of the river, and listen to the trains. Because they don’t fish, they usually go to town every day for breakfast and/or lunch, or to have a drink at the bar and chat with the locals. The men in my group who do fish always end up spending a few hundred dollars in the Ted Fay Fly Shop. We also always make purchases from the local grocery stores, the hardware store, and the gas station. We’d probably spend more, but the retail options are pretty limited.
Will I return? Absolutely. I’ve got a reservation for September 12-14, and another for November 1-4. I’m also planning to book a rental for the first week of June 2009.
I’d like to add that Mark Ostrom is a horse’s ass. Does he honestly think that if a fire or train wreck were to occur while I was staying Dunsmuir, I’d stand off to the side and watch, or take photographs? Does he truly believe that any person, regardless of who they are or where they lived, would refuse to help during such a crisis? If he’s got such little faith in his fellow man, then perhaps he’d be happier living in a hermitage.
September 5, 2008 at 7:11 am
don phelps
i would like to make the suggestion that we do what other fishing communities have successfully tried: rent a fly fisherman. people who have phobic reactions to men or women in waders carrying long sticks simply need a gentle slow immersion introduction.
it is not unlike being irrationally afraid of large crowds or circus clowns. if a few fly fishermen would kindly volunteer we could station them at a safe distance while patient counsellors gently talked to the troubled individuals as the fly fishermen slowly approached until they could actually touch them. this could be a cathartic Epiphany like experience.
these fly fishermen or women could then spend the day with the troubled individuals perhaps cooking them omelets or even grilling trout for them and their families. this is an expensive program but for the sake of the community i think it would be worth it. and might just save the city of dunsmuir.
anyone interested in helping me organize a fund raiser to fund such a program please contact me at the restaurant.
September 5, 2008 at 12:40 pm
don phelps
Just to set folks at ease I took the initiative to contact the offices of The International Headquarters of the Fly Fisherman Rental Program: apparently this is a problem that affects people world wide. Germany has a severe outbreak at this time but their very understanding staff assured me that they will be in contact with me as soon as licensed professionals are available.
Interestingly enough, they have programs that can assist communities dealing with a wide range of problems: citizens concerned about u.f.o.’s; government spraying of toxic chemicals from jets; notions about Sarah Palin being a transsexual and rumors about Joe Biden really being Josephine Biden.
As soon as I hear from The International Headquarters Of The Fly Fisherman Rental Program I will make arrangements for everyone to meet and we can come up with a caring program that will be mindful of everyones’ sensitive needs.
Remember the fool you save just might be your brother-in law.
Editor: Haha! Thanks to Don Phelps for adding some levity to the topic!
September 6, 2008 at 9:39 am
don phelps
forgive me for going on and on here but this is really pretty funny. kind of like shooting yourself in the foot to cure an ingrown toenail. i cannot believe there are people who really consider this to be a serious issue; they must be folks who were recently talked into hunting for snipe with a pillowcase and a flashlight or talked into a long walk into the woods to look at Bigfoot tracks. folks who are simply trying to pull one over on us hick rubes; i am not falling for it; sorry.
however, i have personally witnessed the albino crock at “big hole”.