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Add to the fact that there is one idiot that has started a "Random Camping (Crown land) Facebook Group"... Just what everyone needs more rednecks disrespecting the outdoors (yes I'm making a huge judgment with that statement)!!

Where did you read that none of us have permission to access creeks via private land? I know there is at least three of us in this thread that do.... And I do get your point - I have permission on a handful of places I access creeks to fish, and I hunt predominately private land myself too, but I guess we're all idiots.... Are you new to fly fishing? I think most of us on these brown trout creeks aren't fishing just a half mile stretch of creek, so why would you spend hours if not days trying to track down all owners and renters along a creek to ask permission to use public land? It is absolutely not inexcusable to not make a phone call or knock on a door.... For some places I fish it would take me all day to try and track owners and renters down to get "permission" to fish through their quarter sections. I love how you criminalize fly fisherman for "trespassing". We don't need to ask for permission to cross their property via the creek below the high water mark, plain and simple, it's not abusing a loophole whatsoever. 90% of the places most of us fish I think we could agree that there are never any issues with landowners. There are just exceptions that don't want anyone fishing, hunting, etc. Most weren't made that way and you're right is people legitimately trespassing or having a lack of courtesy that makes them how they are and ruins it for the rest of us, but there are still the crusty guys who've just always never wanted anyone out there. It is what it is. It has nothing to do with respect. High water mark is high water mark, with very very few exceptions PRIVATE LANDOWNERS DO NOT OWN THE CREEK/RIVER/STREAM: THE WATER, THE FISH, THE BOTTOM - THEY OWN NONE OF IT. The thread was started to get some information and learn how to deal with it. I will not be intimiated by bully ranchers. It's a mutual respect thing - I don't go on their property, they don't have an issue. If you catch me on your pasture above the high water mark without permission, sure, that's a different story, but not the one we're discussing. Don't assume we're all idiots and ignorant city folks because like you there's several of us have an agriculturual background...

For me the eastern slope streams have always just been the occasional mid-week day trip runs, especially during summer holidays/camping season. Some really good dry fly action to be had in September and even into October if the weather co-operates and then you can avoid the crowds!

I think it's fair to say, regardless of the Public Lands Act, being a dick to a landowner is just asking for an unpleasant day for both of you for virtually no benefit, and will remove access across private land for other activities further. Sure you may be allowed to be on the river, but you might have just burnt a bridge for someone else who has been using the same land for hunting. I routinely fish on public lands next to private, and make sure to go out of my way to be kind and respectful when i run into a landowner. They may not have a right to kick you out of the 'public' section, but I'd rather have a good relationship with those that i run into, such that if i ever need anything they're more receptive (if you break your arm 12 km up the river, i'd much prefer to cut across land and not get chased off because you've been an ***hole to them in the past). Don't jump fences, dont open gates, be respectful, clean up some garbage be kind, keep your dog under control (and likely on leash) and 99% of your interactions will be positive. If you're going around looking for issues, you should probably take up a less quiet sport.. FYI, last time i asked for access from a landowner, not only did they provide me access, they gave me a key to the gate that allowed me to shave off 3 km of hiking by driving. Landowners aren't inherently enemies..

I recently had the exact same interaction, but I asked the guy his name and if his property operated a business. I then pulled out my phone and made it clear I was calling the cops. I told him I needed his info as I needed to know who I was going to have charged and sued for violating my charter given rights. He stated we didn't need to do that but I still had to leave, I responded with he has 3 options, 1 me calling the cops 2 me posting on all my social media where the best brown trout fishing is on this stream and he'll have to deal with all of us legally fishing 3 he can walk back to his house educated I also told him at the end of this id still be fishing it. He walked away muttering. We have to stand up to these guys. I have talked to anglers that have been scared off of this property numerous time. The land owner does it because he gets away with it. I also go to local detachment if the land owner gets threatening, even if nothing happens just to have the record. Stand for our rights guys, we loose stuff daily.