Public Access?

[Trout Commander]

Does this bridge afford public access?

Thanks in advance.

[fishinwrench]

McKee bridge ? I don't think that is a county road, but if you stop in the office and introduce yourself I bet Myron would allow it.

[Brian Sloss]

McKee bridge is on a private road, so it is not public access. Kelly ford is just upstream about 1/2 mile and is public. You could pay at ROLF just downstream for access. Myron doesn't own the bridge or property there. At least I don't think so. Blair bridge and Patrick bridge are public access points.

[Trout Commander]

I actually had not noticed that the stretch that crossed the river was not labeled as a county road. Thanks for the heads up.

Does anyone know if County Road 368/Bluebird Lane just to the North affords any public access? Doesn't look like it from Google but I don't know how much I really trust them. It also looks like County Road 374 ends short of the river. Can anyone confirm this?

[Trout Commander]

McKee bridge is on a private road, so it is not public access. Kelly ford is just upstream about 1/2 mile and is public. You could pay at ROLF just downstream for access. Myron doesn't own the bridge or property there. At least I don't think so. Blair bridge and Patrick bridge are public access points.

Thanks for the reply Brian, I was typing my previous post as yours was posted.

[Gavin]

Kelly Ford is down off 372....not sure of the road designations....but you turn towards the river by the old crossroads store and stay on the pavement till it ends and keep on going...turn left at the berry farm...Decent wade fishing at the Islands above the Patrick Access...and some decent wading in front of ROLF, Sunburst & Riverside CG too. I'd recommend a boat though. Talk to Justin about that. Cheers.

[Trout Commander]

Thanks for the reply and directions Gavin.

[2sheds]

Your map highights McKee Bridge which is on private road.

Kelly Ford is the closest public access point, upstream about a mile from McKee Bridge. Kelly Ford is located off Co 368 at the end of Bluebird Lane which is marked on the left side (west bank) of the map you provided. KF is merely a point where a publicv road intersects the river. There is nothing else remarkable at this location. There are private homes and shore line in this area, so please respect privacy of the owners while you enjoy this great stretch of river.

Next downstream public access is Blair Bridge, followed by Patrick Bridge.

[Trout Commander]

Thank you 2sheds, it sounds like you are very familiar with the stretch of river. In your estimation what is the length of wadable water that is public? Just wondering if Kelly Ford would be worth the stop or if I should head down to Blair. I don't care about anything being there except for accessable, fishable water so the "nothing remarkable there" comment interests me. It would be nice to see few or no people.

[Justin Spencer]

If you are willing to walk a little most of the accesses have decent fishing spots. Patrick #1, fish below bridge, then go into campground and hike up trail to island #1 keep hiking and there are a few other spots on up to another island. Kelly #2, fish run around access and hike up to Lamb Shoals. These accesses get the most fishing pressure so don't expect too much. Need to get out and float the river and you will have most of the good spots all to yourself.

The water below the dam at Dawt Mill also is easy to get to and can be really good.

Blair is okay but would be my last public access choice. All risk walking on private land to get to the next riffle, Patrick is mostly on MDC land.