Private water?

Greybeard · Member

Private water?

DrDan · Administrator

Welcome Greybeard. I was waiting to see if more informed individuals would speak up. As far as I know it's only the north bank that is private. The water itself is fisha Le by wading from the south bank.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

The private land is obvious. Just follow the laws of the high water mark and you'll be fine.

mudhen · Senior Member

That being said, be very careful when you wade around there. There is a LOT of mud in places and it can be thigh deep.

frank trout · Veteran Member

is this right I have told that there has been times when high water mark was up to the road

Berryessie · Senior Member

Just keep your feet wet and you can fish anywhere legally.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

High water mark isnt up to the road. You can see the mark.

Berryessie · Senior Member

Good point Ross. The rule is stated the average high water mark.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I've been told by the folks at the resort that they own to the middle of the river. I was told the same thing years ago by the yolo county sheriff. The law is very vague and the old " high water mark " is not always the rule of thumb. There are mineral rights and recreational rights that bring the property line to the middle of the waterway. I think the basic rule of thumb is to respect the resort and just stay off their side of the creek. Just seems like the right thing to do.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

High water line law states "all navigable water that drains to the ocean is public property." Since putah creek water runs out to the sac it's all public property.

lightfoot · Senior Member

This thread reminds me of old man Leo who lived on the Yuba just below the narrows.

I'm sure he has since passed on and is chilin next to a stream with NOBODY around. Sorry for the air horn Leo.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

Yeah I remember him, I believe he had the mineral rights exclusion, at least that's what I was told back in the day. You know he sent his trained German Shepard after me. I kept poking it in the face with the tip of my 5 wt till he called it off, I had to empty my waders after that one!😳