Well, here it is. Traditional opening day for fishing. All is quiet on Sycamore Island this morning. The fishermen are respecting the Parkway's request to sit back and wait. A few forgotten items from the bait shop have been removed. I'm sure the bass are happily feeding in the ponds, fattening up for spawning season this spring. The grass is turning green, as it always does this time of year. A beautiful sight to see from the edge of the bluff, overlooking Sycamore Island. There may be a few ghosts down at the river - maybe ol' Billy Bob (who passed away several years ago) is roaming around, remembering the brisk February mornings around the barrel fire, drinking coffee and spinning yarns with Mr. Moen about the fishermen and great fish tales. Maybe ol' Shotgun (past security guard, who also passed away several years ago) is hovering about recalling all his efforts in collecting discarded aluminum cans during his patrol. Maybe sweet Judy (who hung in as long as she could tending the bait shop until a brain tumor took her from us) is there remembering when she saw the mountain lion pass by the bait shop one early evening. I'm sure that all those who have left us, as well as the fishermen of today are waiting in quiet anticipation of the happy day when all the items are in order for the Grand Re-Opening! I hope all goes smoothly and quickly for the Parkway and its Task Force in their efforts to reopen Sycamore Island. (Photo taken one hot August night from in front of the bait shop, looking northwest)

News Flash! The Bait Keeper from last year just yesterday received a knock at his front door at his home in Fresno. It was a process server! Handed him papers and said, You have just been served. He was handed papers initiated by the Parkway instructing him to remove any belongings from Sycamore Island, never to frequent the land for recreation purposes, and forbidding him to distribute information regarding Sycamore Island! Interestingly enough, all his belongings were removed a week ago! Yours truly assisted in loading up the trucks! He has never been antagonistic, argumentative, rude or threatening with the parkway people. It's amazing that they would go to such lengths! And forbidden to distribute information? What happened to free speech? Stay tuned!

This Blogger applauds the Fresno Bee for printing their article entitled "Favorite fishin' hole off limits to local anglers". Finally, an article that points out the injustice that the outdoorsmen/women are suffering due to the ever-growing acquisitions of the San Joaquin River Parkway. Note of interest on some of the content of this article. Larry Hodge, Fresno Bass Club president was quoted as saying "It's a public waterway, but you can't get to it." Well, you can get to it, but it takes some doing. First, you'll need a canoe or a very sturdy raft. You can gain access to the river just east of the 41 bridge by going down near the mobile home park. There, you can launch your canoe and head downriver to the Sycamore Island. You can also get into the first pond where the flood broke through the levy years ago. You can legally enjoy that first pond provided you do NOT step onto land. You can fish and boat in that pond to your heart's content, although you are still governed by DFG rules. Be sure to carry your fishing license with you. BUT... there is one problem. You really can't leave! No trolling motor will get you back up the river to your vehicle (although, when they increase the flow of the river, then it should be deep enough to allow larger boats through with more powerful motors such as a john-boat with an 8 hp which MIGHT get you back up to the 41 bridge. You'll also find it next to impossible to go downriver to the 99 bridge where you could have somebody pick you up. Hmmm, unless somebody has a better idea, although you CAN legally fish pond number one, you are destined to stay there for life, or at least until the Parkway can share their land with the public.

The Bee printed that Melinda Marks said reopening is among her top priorities. BUT, it prints that the agency must hire someone to manage the property, along with securing the necessary permits, approvals and reviews. The gentleman who managed the property last season was ready, willing and able to take on the project! Matter of fact, Ms. Marks had contacted him a couple of weeks ago, inquiring about a 3 to 5 year contract with him. He was making plans to be ready to go, and excited about the opportunity! Until the luncheon (mentioned in a previous post on this site) where Ms. Marks told him to get his personal items and get off the land! There was no altercation or disagreement that might have caused this. Readers, he had successfully tended the property last fishing season. Keeping the bait shop stocked and tended to, the property clean of debris and litter, assisting any of the property's visitors when they might have had a problem with their vehicles, etc., controlling any altercations or law-breakers and keeping the area safe for all that visited. The Parkway will take bids from potential concessionairres.

Permits, approvals, REVIEWS??? What has the Parkway been doing for the last five years? They've been in negotiation for this property for almost five years. They have known for plenty of time when escrow was closing. They repeatedly indicated to Mr. Moen that they would "Keep it the same." Mr. Moen has repeatedly referred them to people who wish to continue working to keep the operation open. Reviews??? They have done review after review after review, study after study after study of this property. It makes good business sense that if you're acquiring an operation that is successfully doing business, you have all your "ducks in a row" when the acquisition takes place!

You can read the Fresno Bee article at: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/outdoors/story/11754800p-12476253c.html