Hey, get the F off my land

Ever get into a disput with the grumpy farmer over trespassing and right to river wading access?  Well, like many, Amber and Brendan did. And they wrote about it here. 

You can still "fish that ditch" in Montana

Huey Lewis vows revenge, threatens to release hoard of hungry imported Columbia River sea lions into Mitchell Slough.

LINK

AFFTA announces matching fund for Utah Stream Access Coalition

 

The fight to restore Utah stream access is heading to court and AFFTA, the fly fishing industry trade association, will match any member donations dollar for dollar up to a total of $2500.00.

The Utah Stream Access Coalition has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Utah’s Public Waters Access Act passed last year. The coalition filed the suit because the Act effectively prohibits public access to hundreds of miles of rivers and streams in Utah. The money raised will be used by the coalition for court costs, witnesses and other related litigation expenses.

To read the full press release head over to Angling Trade. LINK

So all you AFFTA members, pull out your check books and write a check to support public access.

Fight HB 309

We're a bit late to the game on this one - better late than never.

"If this bill passes, it will be illegal for you to fish, swim or float without permission in many popular waters simply because they've been modified by an irrigation structure or include return flows. This list includes main-stems or side-channels of the Beaverhead, Milk, Big Hole, Yellowstone, Jefferson, Bitterroot, Gallatin, upper Clark Fork, and most if not all streams and natural sloughs in irrigated areas. If the bill passes, families, anglers, floaters and guides will be kicked off hundreds of miles of streams we have been using since Montana became a territory."

Does this sound like a good idea?  Visit this strong post at Chi Wulff more more in depth perspective

OIA Says Utah’s Reputation Damaged by Stream Access Bill

OIA President and CEO Frank Huglemeyer continues to bring the voice of the outdoor industry to bear on the stream access issue in Utah.

Governor Gary Herbert’s approval of a new law that will block access to streams running through private property has already damaged Utah’s reputation nationally as a welcoming place for those who enjoy the outdoors.  That’s according to Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association.  The organization sponsors the Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter Markets, which bring tens of thousands of people to the Salt Palace each year. 

KCPW’s Jeff Robinson asked him about the consequences of House Bill 141. LINK (Via: KPCA)

R.I.P. - Utah Stream Access

A tip of the hat to all of you who made their voices heard regarding this flawed piece of legislation.

From Bryan Gregson at the Utah Water Guardians.

Subject: Gov will sign HB-141

Yesterday, we learned of the Gov's decision to sign HB141 today. Recognizing it's flaws he will ask the AG to not interfere with any injunctions. Outside of the issue, which has personal ramifications, the Governor support for a flawed process, closed door politics and for a bill that will eventually cost tax payers time and money, shows a glaring lack of leadership at a time when we can ill afford such.

Its a shady blow I think most of us saw coming... it just sucks to know your going to get punched in the face, and you got to just "take it" like a fisherman. Small defeat, but the long term will be an overall victory.

FISHERMEN AND FISHERWOMEN --->THANK YOU ALL!! Locals and non-residents alike!! In the end, we are all fishers, thanks for banding together and fighting along side us.

Bryan

Here's an interesting tidbit from the post mortem in yesterday's Salt Lake Trbune.

Governor Herbert's sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Steve Ault, own about a mile-and-a-half stretch of the lower Provo River, some of the premier fishing waters in the country, and were actively involved in lobbying the Legislature to pass HB141.