Comments on: New York DEC proposal to ban boats on upper West Branch http://www.troutlouts.com/2007/02/15/new-york-dec-proposal-to-ban-boats-on-upper-west-branch/ You Shoulda Been Here Yesterday! Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:19:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Brian Cowden http://www.troutlouts.com/2007/02/15/new-york-dec-proposal-to-ban-boats-on-upper-west-branch/#comment-28 Brian Cowden Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:08:46 +0000 http://www.troutlouts.com/2007/02/15/new-york-dec-proposal-to-ban-boats-on-upper-west-branch/#comment-28 That might just be the angle that is needed to put an end to this sham proposal. I remain very concerned about the elitist trend towards land/water access in the US as we move closer every day to the English chalk stream model of pay-to-fish. In Wyoming late last year, a 6 year battle wrapped up between a wealthy couple attempting to restrict fishing access to "their" river which was deemed navigable waters (and Wyoming is one of the many states that practice English Common Law regarding water access). The two sides, the wealthy couple and the group of conservation groups, realators and developers spent 5 million(!) bucks on the battle. The couple lost and fishermen are once again floating or wading below the high water line. Imagine how many acres of land could have been perserved or access secured with 5 million! That might just be the angle that is needed to put an end to this sham proposal. I remain very concerned about the elitist trend towards land/water access in the US as we move closer every day to the English chalk stream model of pay-to-fish. In Wyoming late last year, a 6 year battle wrapped up between a wealthy couple attempting to restrict fishing access to “their” river which was deemed navigable waters (and Wyoming is one of the many states that practice English Common Law regarding water access). The two sides, the wealthy couple and the group of conservation groups, realators and developers spent 5 million(!) bucks on the battle. The couple lost and fishermen are once again floating or wading below the high water line. Imagine how many acres of land could have been perserved or access secured with 5 million!

]]> By: Bob Sutton http://www.troutlouts.com/2007/02/15/new-york-dec-proposal-to-ban-boats-on-upper-west-branch/#comment-27 Bob Sutton Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:07:07 +0000 http://www.troutlouts.com/2007/02/15/new-york-dec-proposal-to-ban-boats-on-upper-west-branch/#comment-27 Here's what I sent them: "Your proposed regulation limiting times and places that drift boats may be used to fish the Delaware serves a pathetic, elitist trend among a small, vocal minority of fly fishermen who would have you banish boats entirely if it were in your jurisdiction to do so. Drift boats are one of the few options disabled fishermen have to access the fishery. Creating further impediments to their participation in a regulated sport violates the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and represents unconscionable pandering to romantic wing-nuts at the expense of fairness and good sense." Here’s what I sent them:

“Your proposed regulation limiting times and places that drift boats may be used to fish the Delaware serves a pathetic, elitist trend among a small, vocal minority of fly fishermen who would have you banish boats entirely if it were in your jurisdiction to do so. Drift boats are one of the few options disabled fishermen have to access the fishery. Creating further impediments to their participation in a regulated sport violates the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and represents unconscionable pandering to romantic wing-nuts at the expense of fairness and good sense.”

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