This is a map showing the area which we are discussing on this blog. Each of the ponds shown are 30 plus acres each. The bridge you see toward the bottom left and the conduit which adjoined it no longer exist. The same with the broken bridge northeast. Upon the Parkway's acquisition, they removed these bridges, stating they were not natural and could be a hazard to canoers traveling the river.

Further, the north channel of the river is now dry. This is due to a variety of reasons. The first is that the flow of water from Millerton Lake/Friant Dam has been diverted down the canals for irrigation. Historically, this has happened occasionally, but when the release from Friant was increased, the water flowed through the channel once again. The bridges and conduit facilitated the diversion of the water to keep the north channel alive. Now with the bridges and conduit gone, the hopes of bringing the north channel back to life are most likely just a pipe dream. The Parkway has discussed some possibilities - i.e. putting in a wier (this would certainly be more dangerous to canoers than navigating around a bridge), or putting in a different conduit (huh? we thought you just spent lots of money to remove one as it was not natural to the river flow).

Regardless, the north channel is without water. Some of the deeper pools still have some water in them, but fish are trapped in these areas, and as the water seeps into the land or evaporates, these fish will die. There is no possibility of removing the fish and placing them in other ponds as the Department of Fish and Game says that is illegal.

Further, we have a concern for much of the vegetation that has grown and developed on the north channel over the course of decades. Much of that vegetation is likely to die off due to lack of water. What is to become of this property? What can we do to save it as a fantastic area for fishermen and campers? Reminder: The Parkway has declared that nobody is to trespass on this property and the Game Warden WILL cite you for trespassing!

Hmmm, I don't think this is what we were lead to believe!

This blog is developed for the fishermen and frequenters of Sycamore Island to voice their opinion and share information on the transition of Sycamore Island into the San Joaquin River Parkway's hands. I will share some of the past stories of the property when it was still a fisherman's haven as time goes on. We'll also update you with the happenings as things unfold. Stay tuned, feel free to vent or provide any information or stories that you wish.

In the meantime, this is a brief history of Sycamore Island Ranch on the San Joaquin River, north of Fresno, California and west of Freeway 41 by a little over a mile. Many years ago, the 350 plus acres was owned by a Central California man (name unknown) who had fallen on hard times. He approached a Dr. Larsen of Kingsburg, CA for a loan to help him through his troubles. Dr. Larsen agreed, and the man signed over the property as collateral for the loan. The loan went unpaid and eventually Dr. Larsen took possession of the property. At that time, the property had no ponds, , but the San Joaquin River ran through it, and branched into two forks on the east end of the property, meeting itself again at the west end of the property, forming an island in the middle. The land was pretty much covered with natural growth of sycamore, oak, cottonwood trees, as well as berry brambles and other native wild plants.

Dr. Larsen had a daughter by the name of Carolyn who married James Moen. Once married, Dr. Larsen proposed to Mr. Moen that he put forth efforts to farm the land. Mr. Moen accepted the challenge, and began raising cattle, alfalfa and corn on the property. The Moen couple moved to the Madera bluff on Sycamore Island around 1950. Many years passed with the Moens ranching the land. Mr. Moen recognized the property to be a haven for fishermen, and began allowing access to the public in about 1960. He recognized what pressure the land might take from constant fishing, so limited the fishing to weekends, and charged a small fee of a dollar or so to offset the cost of keeping the land clear of any debris from the sportsmen.

Time passed, a following of respectful fishermen grew, and a legacy was born. Eventually, it was discovered that the property had a vast resource of gravel on the land, and Stewart & Nuss Gravel operation contacted Mr. Moen with a request to mine the gravel from the land. An agreement ensued and Stewart & Nuss was permitted to set up its business on Sycamore Island, provided that they develop small lakes with sloped banks, reclaiming the property back to natural status. It was required that they replant native trees and plants, and leave the property in a natural state, conducive to outdoor recreation such as fishing and camping. The mining operation and the Moen ranching continued, working hand in hand as the ponds were developed. Stewart & Nuss was always kind to the land, going over and above their responsibilities to respect the habitat, animals, sportsmen and the human inhabitants who lived on the Madera Bluff, overlooking the Sycamore Island Property.

Eventually the ranching business went by the wayside, as much of the land became ponds. The weekend fishing continued. The following of local fishermen grew, and a mass love of the land developed among many in the central California area. Stewart & Nuss eventually became CMI (Calaveras Materials, Inc.) and they completed their mining efforts around 2004. It was a sad day when CMI finally left the property. But, the fishing continued. And the love of the land by the local fishermen flourished.

Then.... the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust entered the picture. They acquired the funding to purchase the riverbottom property from the Moens, and after several years of negotiation, escrow closed late 2005 and the land became the property of the San Joaquin River Parkway. Although through all negotiations, the Parkway assured the Moens repeatedly that they intended to keep the property the "same" for the fishermen and campers.

ALAS! When it came time for the usual opening of the Season in February 2006, the Parkway said, "Nope, not opening." As quoted in the Fresno Bee, on January 27, "Traditionally, the area opened to fishermen in February. With the transition to public ownership, the area will remain closed while officials pursue permits, approvals and other details...." Those that had assisted with the baitshop and the care of the land were told to remove any items from the bait shop, that the locks were going to be changed and plans are to level the existing bait shop. They were also told that any further frequenting of the property by them would be trespassing and the DFG had been advised to cite them as such. More Later.....