It has been said that “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”.  And someone else said “A fool and his money soon go separate ways”.  These sayings make me wonder about access to our home waters.  That is, which of these quotes apply to those of us that fly fish?  Are we vigilant in maintaining our access or do we passively observe as our access is restricted?

This question has been asked because there have been three relatively recent events that have or will restrict access to our home waters.  First, a landowner near Hirschdale has restricted access to several miles of the Truckee River.  Second, the Nevada Irrigation District wants to build the Centennial Dam on the Bear River that will, in turn, eliminate miles of trout friendly habitat.  And third, the road from the Highway 20 bridge to the Lower Yuba has been gated (you calculate the miles of river lost).  What is going on?

This is not a complaint about property rights nor is it a request to change the legal system; I don’t want to go there.  I’m more concerned about what we can do as a club and immediately remember that someone said: “united we stand, divided we fall”.

Let me explain.  As individuals we have little control over “access” issues.  As a fly fishing club, we can apply a little bit of pressure but not much.  However, a group of fly fishing clubs – working in harmony – can develop some clout.

Later in this edition of The Leader you will read about the Yuba Fest.  This is an annual event sponsored by the Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International (NCCFFI).  A couple other fly fishing clubs will be in attendance and there’s a good chance the restricted access to the Lower Yuba will be on their minds.  This event might be a good time for club members to “…be there or be square”.

Tight lines.

Kim Lloyd, GBF President