More than one non-fly fishing friend and extended family member accused us of tilting at windmills these past several months as we’ve chronicle the Montana stream and river access debate.
The discussions seemed to invariably include some version of the following.
- Geez, it’s only fishing.
- Don’t you think there are more important things to be worried about today?
- I went fishing once.
- Landowners have their rights too you know.
- There’s no public land here and we do just fine.
- Fly fishing’s weird.
- I pay (insert ludicrous dollar amount here) to fish water at (insert asinine private fishing club here) and don’t worry about it.
- Whatever.
- Yeah, but did you see (insert college sports team here) kick (insert another college sports team here)’s ass?
- Yeah, but did you see (insert professional sports team here) kick (insert another professional sports team here)’s ass?
- I know all about fly fishing, I saw that fly fishing movie……
In typical curmudgeon fashion by the time three or four of these comments were offered I’d mumble something about throwing pearls before swine, intone that access matters, and excuse myself from the conversation.
Access does matter. It matters a great deal.
Access can be a challenge even when legally defined and rightfully exercised. We’ve recently chatted about that and here’s a great story from Alberta via the For the Fly Blog.
Seems the blogs authors had a bit of a scuffle with a landowner that landed them in court. The good guys win, though note the full story (Victory) is worth a read. (h/t Moldy Chum).
Access does matter. (Ask our friends in Utah.)
