I understand that the Friends of the Cowlitz (FOC) and the sport fishing guides association are supporting the development of a new handicap fishing access area just down river from Blue Creek. It is my understanding that the access site will be developed at the end of Hinkley Rd. Lewis County owns a 60-foot easement from the end of Hinkley Rd. to the Cowlitz River. The original Lewis County road used to dead end right across the mouth of Blue Cr. at Andersons Bar.
When a local developer subdivided the area across from Blue Cr. (south side of river) He cut a deal with the county to abandon the old county road and relocate it. State law required the County and the developer to relocate that access to a new area connecting it back to the Cowlitz, so the County had no other choice but to do so. The new 60-foot easement access starts at the end of Hinkley Rd. and runs straight down a line along an old holly tree farm. From there it runs straight across an old farmers field straight into the Cowlitz River. At the point where it crosses a private road, an additional "floating" EASEMENT was given so that the public could either walk or ride a bicycle along the private roadway all the way down to Andersons Bar (the bar across from Blue Cr.) Every person that had purchased property in this development clearly knew that these easements and restrictions applied to there property.
About 8 years ago, the FOC attempted to develop this access but was unable to develop it because a few rich landowners got to the County Commissioners (all are new now). If my memory is serves me correct, (and it does) some of the landowners who were opposed to developing this public fishing area were also big wigs in a major plastic molding fishing accessory company (seats, rod holders, boxes). A lot of private money was spent in making sure that this premium fishing area would only be keep available for a few rich fishermen and their elite friends. Some of these elites even got the local Sheriff office to testify at a public hearing that the Sheriff would be unable to control the ramped crime that "might" occur if this area was to be developed. I often wonder if the fact that a Sergeant in the Washington State Patrol just happened to own one of best lots in the development in which the floating easement went through had anything to do with the sheriff's office testifying …you think, maybe????
The original fishing access development had the approval of WDW and numerous other sport fishing groups, including the local businesses. The proposal included having restrooms, trash pick-up and handicap access to the river. The sport-fishing guides were violently opposed to it because they would loose their private fishing area and then have to compete with all the other bank-fishing anglers in one of the best fishing drifts on the Cowlitz.
I am glad to hear that they are now supporting this new project along with the FOC and the County Commissioners. For those of you that can't wait for the access road to be developed, the FOC still has a map showing how to enter this area. Maybe one of the FOC's members can get them to post it on their web site or put it in their next newsletter. I for one am happy to see this project back up and running full speed again. What are your feelings about developing this public access?
Cowlitzfisherman
Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook?
I walked that trail many years ago in the 70s I know a few of the land owners !! Now i have a sled and i parked it one day and Steve asked me how i came in ? By boat you $#@&. Great day! 
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