The Lower Blue situation seems so emblematic of what's going on across public lands. Much appreciation for those that continue to press for our rights as citizens, and the rights of the river.
Agreed, and not exclusive to angling either. “Land locked” public lands are an issue of contention for hunters and outdoorsman. Millions of acres of public land across the west are completely inaccessible because they’re surrounded by private land… essentially making those areas “private”. Corner crossing is a big debate right now to make these accessible.
Parallels the current situation on the Lower Blue in many ways.
100%. And, inshallah, that debate seems to be becoming more and more settled toward the public.
I think one of the most meaningful technological advancements for us explorer types is the public lands / ownership layering available in some of the better apps. And the success of similar fishing products will depend on bringing that same layer of specificity to more abstract concepts like high water mark or mean high tide.
Nick, completely agree - a OHWM (high-water) layer pulled from factual data on public waters (rivers) in states like MT could, theoretically, mitigate tons of angler vs. land owner conflicts. Land owners have historically relied on this vague and hard to access information as a method to bully and misinform the the public. The upper Madison River is a prime example. ~Andrew
Brillant investigative work here. The pellet feeding angle is wild becasue most folks just assume big fish = healthy ecosystem, but artificailly concentrating trout above carrying capacity is basically setting up a disease incubator. I've seen similiar dynamics with fed carp in urban ponds where parasites just exploded once density crossed a threshold. If that gill lice spreads downstream into the Colo River's wild rainbow population it's gonna be a massive economic and ecological mess.
Thank you for your reporting. It’s perfectly obvious what the problem is. Rich ass bastards harming our fisheries and our access. These are the same pricks who condemn people for being ecoterrorists when they fight back.
The Lower Blue situation seems so emblematic of what's going on across public lands. Much appreciation for those that continue to press for our rights as citizens, and the rights of the river.
Agreed, and not exclusive to angling either. “Land locked” public lands are an issue of contention for hunters and outdoorsman. Millions of acres of public land across the west are completely inaccessible because they’re surrounded by private land… essentially making those areas “private”. Corner crossing is a big debate right now to make these accessible.
Parallels the current situation on the Lower Blue in many ways.
100%. And, inshallah, that debate seems to be becoming more and more settled toward the public.
I think one of the most meaningful technological advancements for us explorer types is the public lands / ownership layering available in some of the better apps. And the success of similar fishing products will depend on bringing that same layer of specificity to more abstract concepts like high water mark or mean high tide.
Nick, completely agree - a OHWM (high-water) layer pulled from factual data on public waters (rivers) in states like MT could, theoretically, mitigate tons of angler vs. land owner conflicts. Land owners have historically relied on this vague and hard to access information as a method to bully and misinform the the public. The upper Madison River is a prime example. ~Andrew
Thank you for this report! I am sharing everywhere!
Epic read, sounds like a job for the monkey wrench gang. If I still lived in the area I would be furious. I am. Privatization is not the way.
Is there anything one can do, even as a non-resident?
Brillant investigative work here. The pellet feeding angle is wild becasue most folks just assume big fish = healthy ecosystem, but artificailly concentrating trout above carrying capacity is basically setting up a disease incubator. I've seen similiar dynamics with fed carp in urban ponds where parasites just exploded once density crossed a threshold. If that gill lice spreads downstream into the Colo River's wild rainbow population it's gonna be a massive economic and ecological mess.
Thank you for your reporting. It’s perfectly obvious what the problem is. Rich ass bastards harming our fisheries and our access. These are the same pricks who condemn people for being ecoterrorists when they fight back.