Help from all of you!!

[BassMaster_1]

Im going to take advantage on being the first person to post on the message board.  I am looking for help from all my fellow fisherman and fisherwoman.  I live in upstate Ny which is home to some great public fishing waters.  Anyone that I take fishing from out of state, they always say the same thing... you are blessed to have such great fishing.  Which leads to my reason for the post.  There is a nationally known stream off Lake Ontario (Oak Orchard Creek) if any of you have fished there you know why its nationally known.  Well in the past few years there has been a growing concern about keeping the stretch of fly fishing water open to the public.  The is a land owner that has posted 2 large islands on the creek which cuts the stretch of fishing water almost in half.  This land owner has leased this section of the creek to a un-licesened "guide", his goons and him patrol this land while their clients fish "private water".  I have been fly fishing for 4 years now and every year they post a little more land.  Orleans County Legislature fielded comments and concerns about the public fishing access on Oak Orchard River. These comments from local stakeholders, local fishermen and out of the area fishermen were heard at two separate regular Legislative meetings in January . The Legislature recognizes the importance of the issue and has already devoted much effort towards a solution. The Orleans County Legislature reported at the last regular meeting that they are "actively engaged in negotiations" and are "optimistic" at a resolution beneficial to everyone. Support for public fishing access on Oak Orchard River can come from anyone, including perhaps most importantly, out of the area fishermen who travel to fish the Oak Orchard River.  If you ever have fished or plan on fishing Oak Orchard, Please see the following E-petition that will be presented to the Orleans County Legislature as a way to document out of the area support for public fishing access on the Oak Orchard River.  Everyones support can help

http://www.orleansoutdoor.com/phpPetition/

[Sam]

Good luck with your efforts to open the area.

Down here in the lower 48 the courts are ruling on the legality of fishing waters over private property.

This occurs when a river overflows or gets high due to the influx of more water and the additional water seeks to spread over the banks or into the creeks, filling them with water.

The private landowers say to stay off their property.  Fishermen say that they have a right to fish the river's waters, even if they are now on top of private land and the water will recede in the future.

So far one case in Louisiana has been ruled in favor of the land ower.

What is so interesting about your post and what is happening in the USA is that both Canada and Louisiana have strong French backgrounds and the Cajuns came from Canada to settle in Louisiana.

Please keep us up to date on what is happening in Canada and you can read what is going on the the USA in Bass Times.