Amazing how many folks are willing to listen to rumors and idle speculation about who owns what but won't talk the time to check the facts. Today it is pretty easy to check the ownership of land in question through the County Assessor's office. Most of counties (including Skagit) have that information online.

If you choose to check the facts regarding the ownship of the land in question I think you will find the owners are on sound footing. For example the owner of the parcel on the east side of the Samish above the bridge own both the uplands and the tidelands.

While I hate to see the average angler to loss access in this case it is hard to fault those that own the land along the Samish for being disgusted with the behavior of some of those using their property and wanting relief dealing with that mess.

Tight lines
Curt