No more hooten to mudbank

[nhornback]

Hadnt had a chance to float yet this year but finally went yesterday.  Planned to launch from hooten and take out at Mudbank (aka marbleground or extension of V) but was surprised to find mudbank is no longer a public access point as apparently someone bought the land and isn't allowing people on it any longer.  Ended up having hootentown rental bring us our vehicle at McCall bridge.

Really bummed about this! That has been my favorite stretch of the river to day float but now its not possible without hiring an outfitter.  Wish it could have been grandfathered in as a public access but i guess its HL kerr to Galena or further up river.

Outside of that unexpected annoyance the float was great.  Even with swift water the bite up in the bushes was good on a ned and shaky head, and could get bit swimming paddletails through current too.

[RSBreth]

I haven't been there this year due to work - I'll have to check it out this weekend.

[Seth Clarkson]

Looks like someone bought the land right at the bank on 4/26/19. Did they block it with a gate or fence or put up a sign or something? That effectively just made 16.9 miles of river very very difficult to access between hootentown and kerr. 

[MoCarp]

In my lifetime access has been shrinking, from outright closure to bridge crossings  designed to eliminate the ability to get to the water and make parking all but impossible, many places I wade or float fished are not accessible anymore. This forces more pressure on the areas that are, pressure = worse fishing.... do not see that changing anytime soon.

[tjm]

State needs to address access and public use of the streams, the current and historical case law is going to cause more closure of access until it is all pay to use.  A new sign near me advising that if you or your boat are on the gravel bar the sheriff will be called and charges of trespass pressed. Many of the closures here were instigated by the  canoe rental companies several years ago, all the state and county bridges that used to have row access to the creeks have been blocked and/or posted no parking. One landowner with primitive camping (at what used to be a free access) has signs that the creek bordering him is C&R only.  I think that the Elk and all three tributaries now have a total of 7 legal accesses for the public.  Even the church parking lot on Indian creek has "No Trespassing' signs.

[Flysmallie]

3 minutes ago, tjm said:

State needs to address access and public use of the streams, the current and historical case law is going to cause more closure of access until it is all pay to use.  A new sign near me advising that if you or your boat are on the gravel bar the sheriff will be called and charges of trespass pressed. Many of the closures here were instigated by the  canoe rental companies several years ago, all the state and county bridges that used to have row access to the creeks have been blocked and/or posted no parking. One landowner with primitive camping (at what used to be a free access) has signs that the creek bordering him is C&R only.  I think that the Elk and all three tributaries now have a total of 7 legal accesses for the public.  Even the church parking lot on Indian creek has "No Trespassing' signs.

 

We have done this to ourselves. Used to be a great access on the upper James but because used it as the local party spot and dump it was closed off to everyone. 

[tjm]

Not "we", most often the cars containing those types had out of state tags. That doesn't help much when the law is the ground under the water is privately owned,  and prosecutors are willing to press charges for one foot out of the water.

[vonreed]

The owner at McCall bridge is a great guy and a friend of mine.  Unless things have changed,  he will let people in and out at that bridge. But you have to talk to him beforehand.  He lives in the house overlooking the river next to the bridge.

[nhornback]

5 hours ago, Seth Clarkson said:

Looks like someone bought the land right at the bank on 4/26/19. Did they block it with a gate or fence or put up a sign or something? That effectively just made 16.9 miles of river very very difficult to access between hootentown and kerr. 

Signs up stating no public access/no ttrsspassing and rope across all pull off spots.  I get not wanting people trashing your land but what a major bummer for us who respect it and even clean up when we see trash.

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

25 minutes ago, nhornback said:

Signs up stating no public access/no ttrsspassing and rope across all pull off spots.  I get not wanting people trashing your land but what a major bummer for us who respect it and even clean up when we see trash.

 

Happening more and more.