The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I think what you are now seeing is a backlash of the huge number of people flocking to the Madison. Just 7 years ago before we had the house we camped at Reynolds Pass bridge. There were never more than about 4 other campers there. This year during the same period we counted 10+ RV's and at least that many tents. The place looked like a refugee camp with everyone crowded together. There were also 14 cars parked at the lot across the bridge and at least 7 in the boat launch. A number of people that have private property along the river have been picking up trash and have had damage to their property. Just this month some have started taking about posting no tresspassing signs and making people enter the water instead of walking the trails. I have even seen flyfisherman walk onto someones property, pull down their waders and take a leak. These owners have small children that have seen this and I can tell you that it is not uncommon. The fishing ethics on the river have also changed. People hogging good runs from 6 am until 5 pm. I had someone step 15 feet in front of me right where I was casting. The rest of their group of 8 people just lined up 10 feet apart above me. It is really to bad that a few people are ruining it for the whole group. I will now step off my soap box. I am expecting that next year you may have to take a ticket at the boat launches.