This weekend I saw seventeen flavors of “I’m not wanted.” I also saw why – what with all the refuse people dump onto private land, and their fascination with gravity and water. 

Sportsmen and waterfowlers make up the balance of the eco-friendly, low impact, refuse slingers. We’ve seen gravity in action too many times to be amused, so we just leave the worm cartons, empty bottles, and shot up signs – where they lay.

The consequences of trespass is well documented in law, but that doesn’t stop property owners from attempting to scare hell out of you. Action words usually dominate – suggesting that this landowner will remove your testicles – the guy down the road may not.

Penal Code 602 is simple trespass, a $100 fine (which can grow to $1000) if you don’t leave immediately when asked. Section 2016 of the Fish and Game code is for waterfowlers – and those carrying firearms.

Brownliner’s are exempt, as these laws apply only to humans.

Sunday evening found me in the pea green bosom of something with no name – likely it’s there only to move water from corn to rice, but it has enough depth and clarity to host some monstrous carp. 

Occasionally some big fish came out of the depths to hover under the surface. They were over two feet long and brownish so I may be onto something. The scenic part of Interstate 5 is in the background, far enough away that I don’t have to worry about a tailing loop ensnarled in a semi…

I took an eight weight and six flies with me but nothing appealed to the residents – so I may swing through here next weekend with something brighter. A little flash can’t hurt in this water, and if the fish were bass – they’ll appreciate a change-up.

It may warrant a float tube, as there’s a couple miles of this trench to explore … legally.