Oct. OTW

[SeaWolf]

whiplash, you make an interesting point, but one of the biggest reasons for loss of access is that some areas that are state row's are just being overgrown and most do not know about it. before you know it, they are gone and overturned in the state.

another larger, growing problem is that most of the shoreline is beiing bought up by the wealthy of the world. those that do own some of the shoreline houses that were in the family for yeas are being forced out due to high taxes. is that fair? no, but it's happening. and, most of those rich buying the houses on the shoreline are from out of state! they are not locals anymore either. and, they are trying to change town ordinances/laws to allow these same land owners to vote on issues in that town, even tho they are registered in that town. unfortunately, money speaks volumes these days and gets things done.

some of these row's need to be addressed, but very carefully. as you might only get one shot to keep it open, so you need to do your homework well. as i said before, get involved in a group fghting for your right to fish. do your job cleaning up after yourself and others for the good of us all.

[whiplash]

Seawolf you better believe ROWs are a valuble asset to the community. So many land owners especially the new rich that move into sea side communities think that they can block them off . I served 12 years on the Rockport Con Comm and half a dozen times a year we had to deal with the issue of public access. They would fence them off, pile brush. post signs make threats . It got to the point that they started a board just to protect the ROWs. I realize that it's almost impossible for folks who don't live in coastal towns to particpate in protecting these areas but there is a state office for public access that I'm sure would like some help. Its up to us to keep these areas open. Unfortunately when a closure issue comes up at a town meeting the boards know who is a townie and who isn't but numbers sure do impress a town board .

[rwilhelm]

I have not got my issue yet, the suspense is killing me. I wonder if it is lost. Seawolf you bring up a good point - ever look at the license plates driving into C-Town Breachway, almost every plate is from CT or NY.

[bart]

i haven't received mine either. i called and asked about it and they said it should've been here by now so they're sending another one....

[Vermonter]

My copy just showed and while no one who fishes likes to see spots burned I guess I got used to it happening long ago. You have to expect it(not like it) when you consider that the main purpose is to sell magazines. Hell in the mid 80's, with the advent in the popularity of fly fishing and every stinking stockbroker from NY was up here, a national fly fishing magazine ruined fishing for me on the central White river here. How long have national mags like Field and Stream or Outdoor Life given out spots either in specific articles or with specialized regional spots in their back sections? Granted, maybe not with such minute detail as where to park or which compass direction in which to cast once you were there.

It will be interesting to see just how much an increase in fishing pressure does occur. Luckily at one of the spots you have to wade out and I doubt many newbies will take things that far, another of them mentions a long walk(and a pic) which should help keep numbers down. I've never fished those spots, but can understand RI fisherman not being happy, downside is you do have to expect it from time to time. Maybe the thing thats new to this is that in the last decade there has been a greater spotlight thrown on surf fishing. Certainly the internet has allowed a lot of people, all with a narrow, specific interest like all of us here, to electronically get together for the first time. Mostly its been a positive thing, naturally there will be an occasional downside.


BlueFisher-I read that Vt article too, like you it suprised me a bit on what he mentioned. I wasnt sure from reading it whether he was covering his buddies spots or wasnt all that aware of other rivers. The Mettawee unfortunately became well known and has gotten tons of pressure for years, best mentioned river with light pressure on it(and coincidentally the one closest to you) he also sends them to an area of the river that is only so so in the fall(good for numbers but not for size). Im just hoping everyone fishes the area he mentions. Only shocking thing to me was that he was even aware of the Moose River sicne thats off the beaten path even for Vermont.