Put In locations around Blackwell

[Tbones23]

I've been looking for a short float on the Big above 21 bridge. Is there still an access around Blackwell? I know there used to be an MDC access years ago when we'd float E highway to Blackwell but not sure if that access is still public or maintained by MDC. Was wanting to take my son on a short float and fish this summer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!  

[Al Agnew]

The MDC access is long gone.  If you want to know why...when they bought it, they knew that the connection to the river from the parking lot was problematical--there was a little creek, deeply incised into the flood plain, between the parking lot and the river.  There was no way to get past it.  But adjoining the parking lot was a parcel of private land that had a lane going right down to the river at the mouth of the creek.  So all you had to do was to go sideways out of the parking lot and immediately onto that little lane, and then in 30 feet or so you were at the river...except, you were technically trespassing on private property when you did that.  I think MDC thought they could negotiate an easement or buy that little lane outright and solve their access problems.  But apparently the guy wanted a LOT of money for it because he knew he had MDC over a barrel; he was their only choice.  For a few years, everybody just used the lane with no problems, but I guess the landowner finally gave up on making a deal with MDC and told them to keep people off his property.  So MDC shut it down.  I have no idea whether they still own the land, but the parking lot is blocked off and there are posted signs all over the place.

You used to be able to put in at the old bridge, though it wasn't particularly easy.  But when they built the new bridge, they didn't make any provisions for parking along the gravel road coming into the Blackwell Road on the east side at that point like there had been before.  So now it's a steep hill down to the river from the road and no good place to park.  I've done that and parked a few tens of yards away on the side of the road, but I''m always uneasy about doing so, since I'm barely off the road and I expect the county to ticket me or something sooner or later.  It's doable, barely...I've thought about just putting in there and then crossing the bridge and parking somewhere on the other side...there's a bit more of a choice in parking on the other side.  But nobody seems to do it.  So basically there is no good public access at Blackwell.  I'm fortunate in having a landowner friend and having permission to use his put-in spot these days, but I doubt if he would be willing to let people he doesn't know use it.

[Gavin]

No public access at Blackwell. The 21 Boat Ramp to the beach in Washington SP is about 3-4 miles and its a super quick shuttle. The park outfitter does that float once or twice a day, Fishing is hit or miss, but it can be good occasionally.

 

 

[Tbones23]

Thank you Al and Gavin, I had heard the access was no longer maintained but wasn't sure if it was sold or shut down. Too bad there isn't an easy way to get in at the bridge. I was thinking about having my wife drop off us off early morning at Blackwell (when the weather and water warms ups) and parking the truck at the 21 boat ramp. Sounds like its possible but not ideal access. I'll make a run down there sometime soon and scope it out.  21 to Wash SP is an option or Wash SP to Mammoth. I used to run my old War Eagle from Mammoth to the SP but was looking for different waters to kayak and fish. 

[Cwallis]

They are right no access there. We have a private access way upstream from there and use it often, but they are not easy to come by. Cherokee Landing will put you in upstream from their place. Decent float. 

[Al Agnew]

You would probably be okay putting in at the bridge if you don't have to leave a car there.  It's not easy but at least it's all downhill!  I'd just unload everything quickly and wave goodbye to the wife.

[Tbones23]

@Al Agnew Thank you, I was thinking the same thing. I think I'll drive down there sometime in the next month to check it out. @Cwallis and @Gavin thank you for your help as well. Good luck on the water and be safe!

 

[Cwallis]

If you get the chance to go hope you land a big one. Access on creeks and rivers is getting scarce. Cherish it while we can. 

[Al Agnew]

21 hours ago, Cwallis said:

If you get the chance to go hope you land a big one. Access on creeks and rivers is getting scarce. Cherish it while we can. 

You got that right!  Unless you know somebody, we've pretty much lost the opportunity to float the Mineral Fork and long stretches of Big River and Bourbeuse River.  Any time a new bridge is built, the old access is usually lost.

[Cwallis]

Honest words there. Al it appears we may have caught some of the same fish before by chance. At least in the same eddys and rock drops.