Just my 2 cents worth... Just some food for thought. These are not complaints, just observations.
I live in Wyoming. I have every direction to go if I want to take off somewhere. I consider myself fortunate. California is tucked in a corner. They have 3 ways to go- north, northeast, and east, basically- 90 degrees out of 360. If everyone in the state of Wyoming took an out-of-state vacation, no one would notice us. Our state population is dwarfed by even a medium sized town in California. And we would go in all directions, spreading out. Compare that to California. Can't fit any more cars on the highway leading to Las Vegas- been there, done that. Been out of Sacramento, too. More cars on the interstate there than in all of Wyoming, I think. So everywhere remotely close to California is going to be inundated if even a tiny proportion of the population decides to take a road trip. Sounds like Oregon is about the same- a close destination for millions. Same way with Wyoming and the Colorado front range- Denver to Ft. Collins. The overload comes north to unspoiled Wyoming to take advantage of 'wilderness' activities. No where else for them to go. East is Nebraska- no fishing there. South is tons more people. North is just a few hours to great fishing. West is the mountains and plenty of people already filling up every camp-site. So we have the same problem here with our rivers- over-pressured. Used to be 4 or 5 boats would launch in a morning from Grey's Reef, just outside of Casper. I've been there and counted over 30 Colorado license plates and just 4 Wyoming. We are literally being crowded out of our own fishing spots. And it's getting worse, not better. Miracle Mile has become a Colorado vacation mecca. We have passed strict fishing regs to protect the fish populations, but the great fishing just seems to bring in more who want in on the great action. I have friends in bigfork, Montana, and we visit them often. The wife works in real estate. There is a mixed blessing there from so many Californians moving in. Yes, money has poured into the economy, but real estate prices also shot up when the influx started. Rich Californians thought nothing of laying down a half-mil for a lakeside property that the owners bought 50 years ago for 25 grand. So property taxes shot up because real estate was reappraised based on these new sales figures. Locals couldn't afford the extra taxes. Bad situation and a lot of animosity. Also, the Californians brought their kids and with them the California kid cultures, including gangs, drugs, graffitti, and a fast, independent, and indulgent life-style. The local populace was unprepared for this culture shock. To the Californians, their kids were 'normal'. To someone raised in Montana, these kids were like space aliens. Then there is the bulk property buy-up from the gazillionaires, and not just Californians. Seems everyone with big bucks want to own a ranch in Wyoming or Montana big enough to span a time zone. We have Californians, Denverites, oil barons, sports stars, celebrities- all who want a piece of the last US frontiers. Then they fence it all in and put in locked gates and cameras to keep it safe from everyone else. We are just beginning to see the real pangs of distress from overpopulation. A couple of years ago, they were shooting at each other on the Bighorn River- over bad fishing manners! One of those guides left there and purchased a lease on the N. Platte just below Grey's Reef. Don't you dare touch the bottom while in his stretch of the river, or you'll have a sherriff's deputy waiting for you at the takeout, to give you a ticket. This is true. I know many Denverites and their plight. This has to be very close to the plight of Californians. Visit somewhere and you're hated as an out-of-state license plate. Move there and your big out-of-state bucks are wrecking the local economy. No-win situation, but they still have the money to make it happen. Some in Wyoming really resent 'out-of'staters'. Most welcome them. Most 'out-of-staters' are decent, respectable folks, wanting to blend in and not clash. Others ruin it for everyone. Flyfishers, to me, seem to be the most polite and respectful of all visitors, and I always find myself visiting with them. Any flyfisher on this list is welcome to come fish my waters with me. We just may have to move around a little to find a lonely spot, and there are some left. But we do have one saying here in Wyoming, and it sprang up in the oil patch. "We have a lot of great sights here, but the best sight is a Texan headed south, with an Okie under each arm." (That was for you, Jimmy. Hee Hee. :o) ) And Dean, you is welcome anytime. I just don't think you're ready for 8-pound bows and browns on dry flies. <vbg> Just me rambling...back to Baggs (aka Nowhere), Wyoming for me tomorrow. DonO
