The privatization of America’s finest fly fishing waters continues.
First, there was Donny Beaver, but frankly, his efforts pale in comparison to the vast fly fishing empire now being assembled by a shadowy figure and a gang of offshore investors — people quietly working to reserve some of this country’s best fly fishing waters for the exclusive use of the privileged and wealthy.
In other words, the readers of the Trout Underground — hardworking, salt of the earth people like you and me — simply need not apply.
Our extensive research uncovered this group’s formerly private Web site, which includes passages like:
Rod fees are determined on an individual basis after initial eligibility consultation. After acceptance, suitable applicants will be notified prior to the reservation date.
It’s a dark time for fly fishing.
You can’t fish this highly coveted bluegill water.
I now hold an apocalyptic vision of our shared future — fly fishers crammed elbow to elbow on the a few hundred yards of remaining public water, casting desperately after the two “public” carp still swimming.
At least that’s what will happen if this evil cabal has its way.
Ladies and gentlemen (applied loosely, of course), I present a dark stain that fly fishing can never fully erase: The Mt. Eddy Executive Bluegill Ranch (California’s Premier Private Catch and Release Bluegill Fishery).
“Bluegill?” you say? Yes, bluegill — the same courageous sunfish on the forefront of this country’s fight against terror.
Can we afford to stand by and see this precious piscatorial resource privatized?
I have seen the future of fly fishing. It doesn’t include us.
As always Undergrounders, the floor is yours.
[tags]fly fishing, fishing[/tags]
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WOW, TC,
Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. I would have never thought this level of insidious capitalism could exist here in our little piece of heaven.
First Nestle, now this. I feel like running over my flyrods with my Prius.
md
p.s you don’t happen to have the phone number for those bastards, do you?
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No dice on the phone number MD. They’d never let the likes of you in. They’ve got standards.
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Go fishing in England, Ireland etc to see what it will look like here in the near future…I don’t see the tweed knickers and wool sport coats taking off here though. Time to throw more money at the Nature Conservancy…
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First off, did you know that under the “Reservations” link, the underground is at the TOP of the list? And second, I wouldn’t cry too much about the privatization of these mud holes – if we leveled dunsmuir we could one up the hell out of these half-breeds. Can you imagine, “The Upper Sacramento Canyon Fishing Retreat.” Picture this: Dunsmuir is burned to the ground by some new corperation that buys the entire city, say Trout Underground Inc., and a few years go by, most of the vegetation is back, and where there used to be building there are now bass and bluegill ponds, catfish and carp holes, and of course exclusive access to the Upper Sacramento River. Everyone else has to walk in from above or below the retreat, or for the truly dedicated they can float it. The catch: no wealthy folks. Well what do you think? I’m always trying to think of new ways to increase the economy of the Dunsmuir area, I think this is a better idea than taking advantage of the seedy underbelly of the city by putting in an adult bar that also sells loosies and Bud (regular or lite). So, how does the USCFR sound?
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By the way, are the anti-terrorist bluegill exported from the Mt. Eddy Bluegill establishment as well? $110,000 for the system, they must be of the very best breed no? No chance you wrote that article as well huh?
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C3C: Burning Dunsmuir to the ground certainly offers a few benefits to Trout Underground LLC, (see Nestle and McCloud), but I’m a little concerned that the suggestion comes from you — considering your parents’ home would be among the first to go.
You, my sir, are a true capitalist.
Also, I can categorically deny writing the Treehugger article on bluegill, or contributing as much as a single vowell or consonant to the Mt. Eddy Executive Bluegill site.
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Well, perhaps we’ll leave a few homes standing here and there for the guests to stay in. And for any necessary caretakers. I still don’t believe you had nothing to do with the rambo bluegill write-up, but the Mt. Eddy bit is slightly more believeable since the page SUCKS, and I would expect better from you. See you in a couple weeks.
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The Horror. The Horror.
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I remember fishing there when the blue gill were bigger than your hand , what a shame.
also forget the Klamath, “save the bluegill”
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tom, how long ago did you fish it? Where is it located? Man, if that fishery has been around for a while, is it some sort of “Heritage Water”. I truly hope they don’t go for government grant money to protect it at our expense.
That would be truly be the beginning of the end.
This story is really beginning to bother me.
md
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I’m ticked…bluegill are automatically assumed to be the king of the bream species; what about the shellcracker (also known as a redear, or locally as a lakerunner)? I think this fine species, and others, are getting rooked out of a fine government job. Where’s the outrage? Where’s a slip-n-fall lawyer when you need one for a class action lawsuit? Where’s Jesse Jackson? This is discrimination, pure and simple.
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Those other sunfish are OK, but the Bluegill was chosen for its strong patriotic tendencies.
Sure redear are a nice fish, but think about it; what true-blue American would entrust his country’s water supply to a REDear? (As in Hammer & Sickle RED).
Thank god I’m here to keep us safe (so where’s my plush Homeland Security Gig?)
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Redear? Pumpkinseed? Sun Perch? Nope, it’s Bluegill all the way. Anyone with any sense knows that. Now lemme see, where do I sign up for this ranch?
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Kentucky Jim,
I’m with you, there are a lot of us and, I’m assuming, only a few of them. If we can just find out where this place is…
md
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