I want to add to this post the fact that its not only private riverfront landowners that are restricting access to some of our rivers.

In my opinion, an even bigger issue is that many private timber companies are also taking more drastic measures to restrict access. I have experienced this on many of my favorite summer run streams, where the timber companies are installing new gates that prevent access to entire watersheds, which prevents us from accessing many miles of some of the best fishing water.

In these cases it is usually not fisherman, but rather local residents, that back their pickup trucks up and unload piles and piles of garbage, that causes the timber companies to take such drastic measures.

We, the fisherman feel the effects of this action, which leads to increased pressure on the remaining streams in the area that are open. I always carry a pen and paper to record license plate numbers of suspicious vehicles in these areas, and do not hesitate to contact the landowners. And like most of us, I always carry a litter bag and pack out any litter I run across. This goes a long way when confronted by a landowner.

I have seen several cleanup efforts from individuals on this board, and I believe that it is this kind of action that is neccassary, by each of us on our favorite rivers, that can help prevent further restrictions by property owners, including timber companies.