The Barrier Has Been Established. Yes, that's correct, a strong fence, gate, lock and barbed wire has been erected across the only drivable entry to Sycamore Island Fishing Ranch. It's been there for about a week now. I was waiting to post this message until I have the opportunity to take a photo, but felt urgency to post the message now. The photo will be posted in the next few days. There is no access to the riverbottom at Sycamore Island via the Madera entry. The prior owners, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Moen have not been given a key to the gate. Keep in mind, though, that the Parkway established this barrier on what is still property belonging to the Moens; not on the Parkway property. To establish a barrier as such on specifically-owned Parkway property would be a much more extensive and expensive undertaking.

Those that have been past care-takers of the land can no longer access the riverbottom property. NOR can anybody who lives within immediate reach to the barrier allow access to fire, rescue, law enforcement or ambulance through this gate. I'll presume that the Parkway has made arrangements for immediate access for those public servants - at least I would hope so. The residents on the Madera bluff have not been advised of such, though.

Note that there has been no observation of anybody from the Parkway controlling walk-ins or otherwise - be it from the Fresno or Madera side. There's no longer any control in that regard that has been observed - who knows what's going on down there now?

On a brighter side, we know that the north channel is finally running again, as the release of water from Friant Dam is presently at about 10,000 cfs. Maybe a few of the fish have survived the death of the channel from the past months lack of river flow - there were a few areas where water remained standing. Hopefully, any surviving fish will make a hasty retreat to the river before the channel runs dry again when the flow is once again restricted. Note that the Parkway group did invest some of the funds they have at their disposal to install another culvert in hopes of keeping the channel running, but, Alas, it did not work and the channel remained dry until the excessive flow began from the rain and snow run-off just a week ago. As soon as Friant cuts the flow of water again, the channel will once again run dry.

Another curious question that has entered my mind is that the Parkway established their entire plan on a contiguous plan for a complete accessible park from Friant Dam to the 99 bridge. The entire 27 miles. Well, it's not contiguous, as you cannot traverse from Friant clear to 99 via boat or by car, or by bike, or by foot. You'd have to have a mix of all three, (Which is pretty much impossible) as levies between ponds have broken by high waters, and with the Environmentalist's requirements of not putting any material (even if it is riverbottom soil) back into the flowing river waters - which now flow directly into some ponds, things have changed, and there's no going back. Not unless their rules change.

As to the Parkway's efforts to reopen for fishing, or progress for the bait-shop, etc. We've seen nor heard nothing that would indicate that progress is being made. Your guess is as good as mine. If you've heard anything positive or progressive in this issue, please post to this blog and give us who have spent years loving this special property something to hold on to!

--- Still feeling caged from what has been my "back-yard" for almost 20 years..... Yours Truly....