[chester farmer]

Looking for some feedback. I have a buddy who owns property south of Williamsport. He has a popular trout stream running thru it. About 200 yds behind his house is a large hole that is also popular. By Thursday there will be chairs there and Friday will see at least one group of campers maybe more. We would like to take our 11-12 yr olds fishing there the first day and possibly camp Friday night. Other years the hole has been to crowded to let kids cast or fish themselves. So we are considered posting the hole with by permission only and controlling the number of people. Posting one side of the bank or posting completely. All would be for the first day only. In a perfect world we could set some chairs out and expect some respect at least for the kids trying to fish. The biggest concern is conflict or problems when the young kids far outnumber the adults in our group. Yes we know public money put the fish there. We aren't try to hoard them only trying to let the kids fish without being crowded out. If we do nothing but show up can my buddy ask rude or unruly non kid friendly persons to leave his property. Not a good idea to me but what's your thoughts?

 

[hdt]

If people were putting chairs out and camping there without permission to "save" a spot for themselves I'd post it. I think some of the opening day trouters are the rudest sportsmen in the outdoors, also the worst for littering.

 

[Alexpa777]

I agree with hdt. Post it!

 

[TrashPanda]

Posting it outright will only get that spot removed from being stocked. What you need to post is signs that say, "No overnight camping" or "camping by permission only." Something like that. You could also post no littering signs or signs that say not to leave chairs overnight. You would be perfectly within your rights then and could easily enforce it.
Unfortunately, you are probably in for some conflict the first time you do it. I would get those signs up ASAP.

 

[quackmaster4]

Unfortunately, you are probably in for some conflict the first time you do it. I would get those signs up ASAP.

Although you and your friend have every right to post it, that statement probably hold true. If people have been doing it (camping and setting up chairs) for years, they will show up expecting to do the same, and probably won't have any back-up plans, and then get upset. Sounds like a tough situation, and I'm guessing you are in for some problems. At the very least, I'd make sure to post it soon, and personally let everyone there on the first day know that it won't be tolerated next year. Too bad for the kids this year though, It's probably not gonna work out the way you want.

 

[larry da deer]

let the campers camp,and the people fish,after all its the first day,you can always pick another day for yourself if its your land.

 

[Dale Sholder]

I would post it like kudu said. No overnight camping and no littering . Move the chairs off to the side and make sure there is a sign there where you put them.

 

[Deuce280]

Its your land, I'd post it outright....

 

[Fly Guy]

Go down and talk to the campers and if you have no problem with them camping and fishing let them do so as long as when you and your kids come down they make a spot for you. Let them know the situation and if it doesn't improve it will be posted next season.

 

[Z7 ASSASIN]

Posting it outright will only get that spot removed from being stocked. What you need to post is signs that say, "No overnight camping" or "camping by permission only." Something like that. You could also post no littering signs or signs that say not to leave chairs overnight.

I agree with kudu 100%. If access is denied to fisherman then that section of stream will no longer be stocked. I saw this happen first hand last season to a section of kettle creek that used to be stocked alot until two land owners got into an argument and posted access to their properties to spite one another. The pfbc refused to stock that section of stream.

 

[TrashPanda]

It is your land, do as you want. But I would probably add to this that posting it altogether after it was already stocked is a bit of a jerk move and the people you are affecting may have reason to be upset. It was stocked with the assumption of access allowed. I would almost guarantee that spot will not get stocked next year or on the in-season stocking this year. FWIW.
Someone mentioned aerlier about speaking to the people who are down there and explaining the situation to them. I think that is a good approach. I would let their reactions dictate my next move, especially if it has traditionally been open to fishing and camping.
If they have a problem with the landowner wanting to fish with their kids, they deserve whatever they get at that point. Unfortunately, the situation could get ruined for everyone involved.

 

[Double Lung 20]

Kudu is spot on with how I feel on the issue as well.

 

[Venatic]

I have thought about this kind of situation before. If it were me I would not want to post the property. I think a compromise would be to talk to those adults who are there and get them to agree to not put a line in the water until all of the kids have caught one fish. Anyone who jumps the gun is gonna look like a jerk and make it clear to them that selfish actions could result in more restriction next year up to being posted. What adult in their right mind wouldnt wait five or ten minutes after 8am and enjoy the kids getting first crack at the fish and being successful.

V

 

[chester farmer]

I appreciate the feedback and the comments. If only one side was posted for a 50yd stretch for 1 day would they still not stock it. Waiting to fish till later would not be an option due to schedules and extenuating circumstances. I am all over the place with my thoughts on this but all involved want to do the right thing. Trying to make positive memories for quite a few kids is the only goal.

 

[TrashPanda]

Why can't you go down there and rope off the section that you want with signs that say, "This area reserved for landowner's children?" who would not respect that? It is a very reasonable expectation.
Posting one side? 50/50 it would not get stocked afterward.

 

[5crows]

A day spent with your dad and his friend embroiled in a confrontational invasion by a bunch of strangers, has a real high probability of being a memory.

Positive memory, not so high.

I've been the kid in that situation, not in PA, but elsewhere. The strangers left the kids at home, but their kids all showed up at school, and it got around and more strangers started showing up for the show.

 

[troutbert]

Posting it outright will only get that spot removed from being stocked. What you need to post is signs that say, "No overnight camping" or "camping by permission only." Something like that. You could also post no littering signs or signs that say not to leave chairs overnight. You would be perfectly within your rights then and could easily enforce it.
Unfortunately, you are probably in for some conflict the first time you do it. I would get those signs up ASAP.

I agree with this. Don't allow people to camp, and don't allow them to put chairs out.

But if you want the PFBC to continue stocking there, then don't post it. And that includes posting it for opening day, or by putting a sign out saying for landowners kids etc.

That would cause them to quit stocking.

 

[Talonracer]

Depending on your stream, its kinda silly to worry about your section not being stocked. Trout, especially rainbows move around!! If the biggest hole is on your property even if there is no stocking at that hole, it will still be loaded with fish. I found that out years ago with my dad. Behind our house it was just like yours, the biggest hole in the entire stream. On year we got tired of all the people camping on our property so when me and dad float stocked it we didn't put a single fish within a quarter mile of the hole. We scattered them everywhere. You guess it two weeks later there was no fish anywhere but that darned hole. Some creeks are like that
Fast forward to a few years ago a coworker had the exact same problem, nowhere for kids to fish the first day. They had these old guys shoving kids out of the way. Now this was a much smaller stream. So he took my advice and posted all his property. And him and his family bought fish and stocked that section themselves. Made alot of jerks angry but anyway who crowds little kids out just to catch fish deserves to have their feathers ruffled. To this day its a huge family event and they have a blast. So just post that section NEXT YEAR, the Fish commission already stocked it this year. However go down there the first day and tell all the fish hogs what you are doing next year. Give them a year to find other spots

 

[buckinnuts]

Posting it the Fish Commission will not stock it....

 

[HomeintheWoods]

I own land but don't have a trout stream flowing through it. If I did I would allow fishing, but not camping, as a general rule. If a group earned my trust I may allow camping. In this case I would ask for some reasonable accomodation for the kids. Anyone who has been using the land for camping is trespassing. Camping is not normal access expected to be on the stocking list. I hope the campers see their way through this. I hope you find this to be less of an issue than what you fear.