Let's exchange information

[FLYFISHER]

Please excuse my venting and frustration on what this board has come to. I will probably take a lot of heat for this but I think this needs to be said.

For several weeks now the fish have started showing up and as a member of this board I posted, sent private messages and e-mail to members of this board requesting information on where a bouts of early hot spots and new locations as they are revealed. I and I’m sure others don’t need the exact spots you plant your feet, but a courtesy of at least responding. You don’t need to let the world know but at least respond to a members request. That’s why the private respond features have been built into this board.

What I am witnessing, is these discussions have turned into bragging rights.

When I joined this group I was amazed how open the members were in helping a new member by responding with private messages. I was given locations and advised of its restrictions of parking and not to violate them so that others may enjoy them in the future. In return I also exchanged and took some members to some of my hotspots.

I don’t see this anymore.

I have been fishing Rhode Island for only one year now and I am amazed what I have seen with right of ways being stolen from the public under the name of beach associations and residential establishments getting locals officials to prevent the public from parking and entering areas that belong to the general public. This has happen to the extent for example the Quanny Beach Association have a road block right across a public Rd paid for by the tax payers. The big meeting about the West Wall if it was not so well known the closing or restriction might have been pulled off.

Correct me if I am wrong, the waterfront belongs to the general public not private concerns it’s in the Rhode Island’s constitution. I was furious when one of the postings of locations got pulled to appease a senior member on this board. Yes I agree maybe this area was only accessible thru private property, But I wouldn’t bet on that. For those that had a chance to read that posting very prominent individuals lived in the vicinity I am willing to bet that a right of way is available but not made available to the public. Keep in mind every right of way that has been challenged has won in the state of Rhode Island.

As most of you, I belong to other discussion groups. One in particular is Ken Abrahams Striper Moon Bulletin Board. A few of us dedicated individuals have been looking into these right of ways it has been amazing how your right of ways are going to be and are taken away from you. In addition I and others have been involved in cleaning up your fishing hot spots, on a regular basis we have taken out over 30-40 very large bags of trash most not left by fisherman, regular household trash such as TV’s, refrigerators, lounge chairs, roofing etc. but very little fishing line. It woke my eyes up who is really trashing your right of ways in many cases, not the fisherman.

I live in the middle of Mass. Over 2hr drive each way to saltwater flyfish one day a week if that, I don’t have the luxury most of you guys have that live so close to the water. I live at the head waters of the Millers River which has some fine trout fishing sometimes. If anyone of you requested information I would not even think of not responding in fact I may even personally show were to fish.

The point I am getting at is if we don’t frequent and use areas but only keep the locations known to a small fraternity one day as we walk down to our favorite fishing hole it will be no longer accessible.

Also if all would pickup one piece of trash as we leave it would do wonders to help keep our areas looking clean so that it doesn’t give those who want to close access an excuse.

Again forgive me for my long winded venting, but I think this discussion group has lost focus of sharing information. At least I haven’t witnessed this.

So where are they biting?