Spring and Summer on the middle Flint have been marked this year with the ongoing escalation of a 40-year attempt by landowners in Yellow Jacket Shoals to privatize this section of the river. In May, Flint Riverkeeper, Altamaha Riverkeeper, and Georgia Wildlife Federation released the following statement regarding the "posting" of Yellow Jacket Shoals as private waters to fishermen.
Over the following weeks Flint Riverkeeper has spent considerable time working to fully understand this access dispute, as well as the ongoing access dispute upriver at Flat Shoals. We know understand these situations are not a matter of settled law. A considerable amount of internal education has been required in order for this environmental organization to understand, as much as possible, the murky and ancient law surrounding public access, navigability, and fishing rights in the Flint River. In the midst of our research, meetings with our legal teams, and consultations with property rights experts with experience in English common law, Georgia Outdoor News published a story on the dispute. In the article Col. Thomas Barnard, Chief of GA DNR Law Enforcement division, stated DNR will operate as they always have in treating Yellow Jacket Shoals as a section of navigable waters and therefore open to fishing as long as the fisherman is not on private land owned by the landowner. The full article can be read online here.

This is by no means a permanent solution to access issues on the Flint or other rivers in Georgia. Flint Riverkeeper is thankful for Col. Barnard's interpretation being in favor of public access but the issue of privatizing public waters is far from definitively settled. In short, this remains a deeply gray area in the legal system and Flint Riverkeeper will continue to update as we, and our partners, continue working to protect public access to some of the best fishing in the watershed.
Last Saturday's day on the river with you was most excellent. Thank you for joining us on the lower Flint! And thank you to David Dixon of our Board of Directors and RJ Gipaya of our staff for making the trip both easy and entertaining!
Spotted bass are invasive to the Flint River, were introduced illegally, and threaten native shoal bass through food competition and interbreeding.
This annual event from Fall Line Bait and Tackle is a great opportunity for anglers to remove these unwelcome fish from Flint waters. When in doubt of species look in the mouth. Shoal bass have a tongue that is perfectly smooth. Spotted bass have a patch of teeth on their tongue resembling sandpaper. Tooth patch = invasive fish.
September 10 - Southside River Rendezvous
More information coming soon!

October 3-5 - ICF World Freestyle Kayaking Championship
The best freestyle kayakers in the world are coming to Columbus, GA in October! More info here.

October 7-10 - Paddle Georgia Fall Float on the Flint

October 21 - Annual "For the Flint" Flint Riverkeeper Gala and Auction
Our annual dinner and auction will occur in Gay, GA on the fairgrounds of the historic Cotton Fair. Formal invitations will be arriving in the mail soon. If you aren't on our mailing list, reach out to Jessica at jessica@flintriverkeeper.org!


November 9 - Georgia Water Coalition Autumn Membership Meeting - Covington, GA
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