Fishing Forum

Patches latest post got me to thinking (I know, bad for the mental health) about private fishing areas that should be open to the public. Colorado has many lakes that are posted, reserved for those with a permit and seldom used. I've discovered that these so-called private lakes were once open to the public but closed once the land was sold. However, our DOW continues to stock the lake with catchable, and bigger, trout at taxpayer expense. Based on legal precident, these lakes should be posted as "open to the public", but aren't. Or the signs are placed in an area so far away that you'd need the Hubble Space Telescope to see it.

We also have the same problem with river access and even fishermen and rafters being harrassed for simple floating by private land. Some land owners have strung barbed wire across the river, resulting in several injuries to rafters and floaters running into the sharp, ripping points (maybe that's why cows stay away from the wire). There are always court cases challenging river access, and being won. The Wyoming Supreme Court recently ruled that fishermen have the right to access to the river, but not to trespass on private land. Float trips are back in business in that state.

It's everyone's right to be able to enjoy Mother Nature, whether it's fishing, rafting or simply floating by on an inner tube. I've seen the courtesy displayed between fishermen, rafters and floaters. The fisherman will wait till they are past before casting; the rafters will slow down and wait until the fisherman has retrived his line and the same between floaters and fishermen. It is just another shining example of common sense and courtsey between those who enjoy river/lake sports. I exclude those single-digit-IQ idiots on Ski-doos and other pocket rockets on lakes who have no regard for fishermen or swimmers and can't seem to share the water. They are another story in itself. I could write a book on that subject.

Any other thoughts or comments?
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Hi there johnincolorado,

I have 'heard' of a number of organizations or foundations whos sole purpose is to generate funds to buy up land specifically to limit access to the public.

True?? I've again 'read' of some court cases being filed against a particular group as it was found out that they bought the land with the stipulation it's use for access would remain after the sale. Of course, the whole purpose of the purchase was to buy the land and block any use of other public lands. Very, very cute.

Sounds like the wacko 'no human should touch the land' group policies to me.

JapanRon
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There are many, so we say, not so honest organizations, out there that do exactly that. They suspiciously act like PETA in their thinking and actions, at least to me. Makes me wonder!! I once worked with a man who did exactly that in northeast Colorado. He bought a key tract of land that was the winter home for a herd of elk. His land intersected a small section that was an access route to the national forest beyond his property, used for dozens of years without a problem by hunters, fishermen and hikers. After buying, he posted it and regularly patrolled it, taking names and filed trespass charges against anyone he caught on "his" land. To get around his land required a hard 50 mile detour only the toughest of vehicles could manuever. And he thought it was funny to boot. I could easily have strangled him without remorse. Needless to say, we didn't get along.

The last I heard about him, a group of hunters had taken him to court over the issue. At the heart of the matter is the "old road" law used by the Dept of the Interior to open national forest land to logging, thanks to President Bush and his cronies. In the suit, the hunters presented documentation that the area had been used for a hundred years by people migrating to Wyoming and Utah and beyond. If they are successful, a favorable ruling will force the man to allow hunting parties access to the national forest via his land without harrassement or hinderance. He'll need to get chapstick, mixed with Preparation H, by the gallon if that happens. Couldn't happen to a more deserving man.
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WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM HERE , BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE WORST OFFENDER OF THEM ALL , THE U.S. GOVERNMENT .

THE D.N.R. THE D.of F. , AND EVEN THE U.S.D.A . HAVE ALL RESTRICTED OUR LAND USE RIGHTS AS WELL AS OUR WATERWAYS .

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=99315;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"][size 1]Huron-Manistee User Fees Are In Effect [/size][/url]

WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TELLS US THAT THE LANDS ARE BEING CLOSED OFF FROM THE PUBLIC BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE IT , AND THEN THEY TAX US TO USE WHATEVER'S LEFT OVER IF WE USE IT , WELL TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY FORGET WHO THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT FOR , IT'S CITICENS .

BEFORE ANYONE THINKS I'M ANTI-GOVERNMENT , I'M NOT . I'M JUST SICK OF THE STUPID JERKS THAT HAVE NEVER PUT THERE TOES IN A STREAM OR WALKED IN THE WOODS DECIDING WHAT'S BEST FOR US THAT DO.
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I agree that any waters that are stock and maintained by tax dollars should be accessible to the public. But some land owners have reason to be upset with well we won't call them sports persons. The ones who have no respect for the land. In Kansas the KDWP try to get access to private waters for fishermen. Some of the ponds and other water access does last past the first year it's enrolled in the program. This is due to the total disrespect for the land owners surrounding land. Many of which are planted with crops. We all pay the price because of a few. fyshrmn
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HERE IN MINNESOTA , ALL WATER IS OWNED BY THE STATE AND IS LEGAL TO USE , THE CATCH IS , YOU CAN'T TRESSPASS TO GET TO THEM !!! IF YOU GET ON A WATERWAY LIKE AT A BRIDGE , THE LANDOWNER CANNOT KICK YOU OFF THE WATER , BUT THEN AGAIN YOU CAN'T LEAVE THE WATER EITHER !!! FOR EXAMPLE, IF A POND LIES UP TO THE DITCH , YOU CAN ACCESS IT AS LONG AS YOUR FOOT GOES FROM THE DITCH TO THE WATER !!! ALSO , IF THE LAKE IS LANDLOCKED BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS , THE DNR WILL NOT PLANT FISH IN IT , BUT THE LANDOWNERS CAN PURCHASE AND PUT THEM IN FOR THEIR PERSONAL USE . THE ONLY LAKES THAT ARE STOCKED ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE A PUBLIC ACCESS !! AT LEAST THEY DO SOMETHING RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA !!! LOL !!!

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Amen, Lonehunter. Same problem here in Colorado. The governor appoints one of his big campaign contributors to an important post like head of the DOW, saying he's been a rancher, farmer, outdoors type, etc and is the best person for the job. It usually turns out to be the best for his buddies and special interests (i.e. oil, timber and developers) but not the sportsman. I've lost track of how many DOW heads have sat in that customized leather chair in Denver and did nothing. I also am fed up with these so-called experts telling us, the ones out in the field and on the lakes, what is best for us, without asking.

Maybe we should take note of Hollywood Hulk Hogan and develop a strangle hold. I'd sure like to use it on a few politicians in this state.
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Hey there johnincolorado,

See what you caused! Shame on you! You've got us all crying, well justified, but of to no good end. This is why I feel, ly, that the right to fish, let alone the right to hunt, movement will fade with each mini-generation (every 5 years) until being an angler or hunter will put you in jail or the psycho ward. honest!

It's already starting,

JapanRon
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That way of thinking doomed the Hoola-Hoop, the Yo-Yo and the Pet Rock, JapanRon. The "why bother" mentality has put PETA several rungs up on us dedicated sportsfellows, as evident by schools allowing anti-fishing, hunting material in the classrooms. If we don't stand up for our rights and heritage now, our children won't be able to enjoy the outdoors as much as we do, if ever. I know I'm just as old fart with grandkids but I'm opinionated, outspoken and take my fishing seriously. I not only talk the talk, I walk the walk and back up my opinions with action, i.e. letter writing and phone calls. I write Letters to The Editor and email my opinion to column writers (their email address is usually at the very end of their column). The Rocky Mountain News won't even acknowledge my letters now and they know my name. Good or bad? Take me as I am because that's the way I am and I'm too set in my ways to change now.

If more fishermen did that, maybe we could make a difference. I'm damn fed up with the rich getting richer at our expense and at the expense of our fishing pleasures. Think of this as our Alamo.
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[][#804000][size 2]And everybody thought that it was okay to ban smoking and tax the smokers out of their mind. Well do you see what is happening. The ANTI this and the ANTI that group are getting their people appointed to the City council, then local government, state and federal. Together with the politically correct group they are going to limit our outdoor activity to the point we will be lucky if we can drive our cars no less fish or hunt. By the way have you hugged a fish today?[] Beam me up Charlie![/size][/#804000]

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Too bad they're not honest enough to say what they are for BEFORE they're elected. Dishonesty runs rampart in politics. No one can tell who's telling the truth, even with a polygraph and a needle of sodium penethal.[mad]

Unfortunately, a few voices aren't heard in a hurricane (that's a footnote in history dating back to Noah). And in order to be heard, one must fork over the long green, saw bucks, c-notes, dead presidents, dinero, coin in large amounts. Remember that old saying, "You get what you pay for", holds especially true with elected representatives, in any country. If we don't donate, no representation. I've watched this since I voted for JFK (and I have voted in every presidential election since, so I'm not one of those fair weather voters.) and little has changed.[unimpressed]

I'm fed up with the entire political process. I say we nuke Washington and start over. Back to buckskin pants and beaver hats with a wad of chawing tobacci in the pocket. Wade out into a cold stream with a sharp stick to catch a trout. Lord, gimme me a sign, is there hope for the human race?[]
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Hi there johnincolorado,

I'm an old geezer myself thank you... and proud of it. If you visit boards focused on southern California sportfishing, you'll find I'm a fighter and don't give an inch. Especially with it comes to city ordanances limiting access or use of public lands.

What I really meant, but didn't convey properly, is that with less and less people having a link to the outdoors and its activities, there are fewer people willing to listen to us both private citizens and public figures.

Alamo? yep! The only difference is that according to a recent 2 hour special shown on the History Channel on the 'real' Alamo, the Mexican authorities had a good deal of justification for quelling what they saw as treasonous (some of those guys took Mexican citizenship to get bennies and free land) and not a few were outright criminals, speculators (kinda like carpetbaggers) and adventurers!! Of course, there were decent and rightious people too. The bad guys in our situation have no rightous case against us or honest intentions. That's for sure

JapanRon
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And I meant no disrespect to you, JapanRon. Sometimes my emotions creep down to the fingertips when I'm typing and I don't proofread to delete those words and phrases that shouldn't be there.

I was born in Texas so I know about the Alamo, although the history books were probably biased in favor of Texas.

I've found, unfortunately, that many so-called "outdoors people" require a warm bed, a hot shower, a flush toilet and an outlet for a hair dryer before they'll even set foot off the main road. Their idea of roughing it is firing up the gas bar-b-que on an enclosed porch and have no idea of how to cook over an open fire. Oudoor means a ski slope with a hot rum and coke before a roaring fire at the end of the day while talking about missing that tree in their path. So I agree with you on that point.

I'd like to see more politicians try it the old-fashioned way, camping on the shore of a lake or river (spring or summer time so they won't freeze in the 50 degree weather), bait their own hooks, pull in their own fish and gut them for the grill. Then, maybe, they can relate to what we call the outdoors and experience a little of what we enjoy, and why.

The BIG problem is: how do we get them to see our side of the outdoor argument? Unless we have a wad of cash in our mitts, they wouldn't even entertain the thought of listening to us. Or if they did, the words would go in one ear and out the other, like pouring sand in a bucket with no bottom. A useless endevor. Or as the Borg would say, "Resistance is futile."
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I was reading the Febuary 04 bassmaster magazine on page 94 there is an add for freedomtofish.org. You can send e-mail to your state reps to sponsor the freedom to fish bill. Its a start, with enough support maybe some more politicians will listen. It's time that 100% of taxes from fish and game related sales be used for fish and game.
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Thanks. I'll try their web site.
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I can say that is one problem that I have not encountered here in Louisiana. There are so many places to fish rivers, ponds, lakes, bayou's, and canal's luckily people around here are extremely polite and enjoy a good time fishing. Most people are more than willing to let you fish, especially if you have a five year old with you.
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You are in a very lucky situation, Srash. I wish I could say the same for Colorado. This state may be advertsied as friendly and it is, as long as you don't step on anyone's toes or place a foot on their property. I'd love to be able to drop a line in any body of water I see.

Now I had a well-endowed, 20-year old in a bikini gracing the passenger side, maybe the answer would be different.
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[]HAHAHA YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE ME FER THIS ONE FLAG! HAHA BUT I HAD TOOOOO!!HAHA HEY, JESUS WALKED ON WATER, MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN LEARN TO WALK ON AIR. HAHA BOY IS THAT SOMETHIN! NEVER HEARD OF THAT ONE. THAT MUST BE AWFUL FUN TRYIN TO PUT A BOAT IN WHEN YA GOT TO STEP FROM HTE BANK INTO THE WATER! I THINK THIS IS KINDA DUMB. AINT IIT???? WHY,D THEY DO THAT??????? HUH[][]
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[]haha lonehunter,thats kinda funny cause in thte humane society we know as the REAL HUMANE SOCIETY, THAT DOES NOT TELL US HOW TO LIVE OUR LIVES WHAT WE SHOULD DO OR SHOULNT,that take care of animals such as our cats and dogs ferrettes farms animals IS THE ONE. i sighned up fer FER A EMAIL, WELL THEN, I also got another email sent to me / but these idiots are talken it a hole lot further to deer huintin and fishin. this proceeded to say we are nothin but mechanical killin machines and it proceeded to tick me off. if ya git my drift. well you can imagine, i writ em a gooood letter went up one side of em and down the other! haha who ARE THEY OT TELL US HOW TO LIVE FEEL THINK BREATHE? I HIT IT GOOD. and said the same thing to them as fer as city slickers tellin never goin into the woods and findin out just whatis in there who lives there what they think is life, is not until they been thee. you git my drift. haha but i think i did a pretty good job!! haha sick of there whinnin! AND I ALSO TOLD EM BOUT HIDIN BEHIND THE REALL HUMANE SOCIETY AND USIN THEM AS A BACKIN, IS A COP OUT. AND I BET EVERYTIME WE PUT SOME CHANGE IN FER THE PUPPY CATS WHATEVER ON HTE SHELF IN THE STORE FOR THEM, I BET IT GOES TO THOSE JERKS. I AINT DOIN IT ANYMORE. I BET ITS GOIN IN SOMEONES POCKETS AND NOT THE PUPPIES OR CATS EITHER. BUT AS USUAL, WHO PAYS THE PRICE, MY ANIMALS. WHETER DOMESTIC OR FARM OR WILD. HUH> YEA. DARN EM. IALSO PROCEEDED TO TELL EM IF THOSE IDIOTS THAT WENT INTO THE WOODS WITH THAT LION IN THERE WITHOUT A GUN TO SCARE HER OFF,PROBABLY HAVIN CUBS TO FEED, AND THEM NOT KNOWIN THE WOODS, THE SIGNS, THEY SHOULDNT OF BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
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now thats goin toooooo fer! barb wire across hte river mister man its a wonder someone hasnt got killed. the same thing happened up here only with snowmiler, this one guy had resently bought this farm the snowmobiler had rights to cross on what we call the vast trail, we have thenall over the state, which some is crossin private land and some state land. well this guy bought it and strung barb wire up acroos the trail. this young kid was playin of course , goin fast, but he neverexpected somethin like this when it was a vast trail. and severed him at the neck with that barb wire. the guy was charged fer murder. too bad huh? i dont think os george.[][][][]
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