Access to Point Royal and island above

[D.T.]

I was reading one of the articles on here this morning and fishing Point Royal was mentioned. I have fished there in the past at there access point. The last 2 years I have been denied entry there. The guards were nice about it but said it was for guests and residents only. Is there another way to fish that area? I tried wading down past KOA but when I got to the end of the island the water was too deep to cross with 2 units running, is it crossable down there with no generation? When I crossed over to the island at the upper end right below the boat ramp with 2 units the water was at the top of my waders, can you cross over any where with more than 2 units running?

Thanks, Dave

[Greg]

I've never tried it - but I've been told that Point Royale road is a public road and that they can't legally stop you from parking at the side of it to fish. I don't know if that's true or not? But I have heard it from a couple of different sources.

Yes when there is no generation you can park and walk down that far. I actually did it today.

Greg

[D.T.]

Greg I have heard that too but have also been told that you can drive but that the access area is not public. You said you walked all the way down today, does water flow around the back side of the island with no generation? It looked 10' deep or more at the lower end of the island with 2 units running. Im still wandering if there is a place to cross over to the island with more than 2 units running. There were a lot of fish stacked along the edge accross from KOA with 2 units. Thanks Greg for the info, Dave

[Greg]

DT - I guess I should clarify. I walked down and fished in front of and just past the old KOA area and could see the Point Royale area downstream. It was only one channel and looked wadeable as far as I could see. The fishing was good in the KOA area. It was only the 2nd time I've been down that far.

Regarding the Point Royal road. If its a public road then Point Royale does not own the land on either side do they? Then how can they stop you from parking alongside it? I don't know if I would argue with them about it either though. Probably not worth it.

Maybe someone else will chime in that's a little more knowledgeable about both the road and the wading in front of Point Royal.

Greg

[twhit]

Point Royale is one of the few places where you can fish with 2 units running and actually do a little wading. Usually lots of stockers in behind the island. With 2 units it is possible to wade up and around the island to across from the old KOA grounds--I am not sure there is anyplace where I would be comfortable wading across with 2 units. Great place to go to catch lots of (small) fish.

I have never had trouble with gaining access to Point Royale. Once in awhile I get a little grief from the guard but generally they will allow you through if you are persistent and kind! Also, for what it is worth, they routinely allow golfers in to play on their course and shop at their pro shop...

[Dave Cook]

I've waded and fished down the island with 2 units running... once. It's a really bad idea. With two units running, the water level can come up WITHOUT the horn being blown. I found myself at the top of my waders trying to get back upstream across the head of the island. The fishing was great but it's just not worth it to me.

[Terry Beeson]

What Dave said is true with ANY level other than zero units. I've been wading with one unit at around 30-35 cfs and they raised it to about 50-55 cfs with no horn. Any time you are wading with any units on, you should be aware of that and keep a land/water mark check frequently... I've been caught a couple of times when it could have been pretty hairy if I had not been watching for that rise.

That's one reason I do not wade at night unless there are ZERO units on...

[twhit]

To clarify, when we have waded with 2 units around Point Royale, we have used the Point Royale access and fished in behind the island on the Point Royale side. Also, can fish downstream of the Point Royale access with units on. Wading is still somewhat limited and I absolutely agree with all comments about being aware of water levels. (I generally try to stay on my access side of the channel anytime water is running so as to always have an escape route!)

Dave, can you provide some information re. the KC club that you are a member of? I have been looking to find more local KC FF opportunities even if it is just planning trips and tying flies...

[D.T.]

Dave & Terry I did just that last month. I crossed over with 2 units the water was thigh deep and I waded all the way to the lower end just up from Point Royal. The fishing was good but I didnt pay close attention to the water level, it was up in the grass. I had a hard time wading back up stream, it is a long walk back with water moving that fast. When I crossed it was at the top of my waders and I was glad they had not kicked on 3 or 4. Im a BIG GUY AND FLOAT VERY WELL worst case I thought I could stash my gear on the island and float back down to Lilleys.Does the water cover the whole island when four units are on full? Dave.

[Dave Cook]

twhit - The KC MTFA club newsletter and other information can be found at http://www.geocities.com/kcmtfa/ or you can call me at home 816-272-5194

We don't meet this month but have regular meetings on the 4th Tuesday starting in Aug. We have fly tying lessons on Mondays for six weeks starting Sept 10.

Walking upstream from Point Royale with water running is pretty tempting. I've done that. But I stay on the main channel so I can keep a close eye on the water level. It's totally different from coming from the boat ramp end of the island. Anything more than 2 units pretty well covers the island. The water first enters the backside channel from the downstream end of the island. So if you cross it there you know the level. But I am out of there (I had an experience similar to yours) if I see any current behind the island (flowing in any direction). If you see the current behind the island moving in the downstream direction of Taney, that means it's come up a bunch at the head of the island and is pouring into the backside channel in many places.. If you are behind the island and that happens get out of there quickly no matter how big that brown is back there. Get on the main channel side and make sure your route back to PR is okay. That spot at the end of the island where you ford to mainland is usually the best place to fish on the main channel anyway with zero or one unit on. If there are 2 units on, the water is probably higher than 704. If the water gets up more than a couple of feet at Point Royale, I'd rather be back at the dam fishing the outlets.