[Jay Burman]

I Drove over to fish the Yak at Umptanum last Thursday. Perfect conditions for a BWO hatch with overcast, 54 Degrees and best of all, no wind. After suiting up I crossed the suspension bridge to walk along the tracks to fish the pocket water.
When I reached the RR grade I saw that the RR had placed large boulders to block the access and placed a "No Trespassing " sign. This means I had to climb over the barrier to access my fishing spots. As I reached the top and prepared to step over on the RR grade I came face to face with a rattlesnake. It startled me and as I backed away I lost my footing I took a hard fall backwards onto the rocks below. I eventually picked my self up and considered continuing on but thought better of it. I wisely ended up leaving with a broken rib, a punctured lung and sizeable gash in my head requiring stitches, and worst of all I damaged my otherwise pristine Sage SP 590 and my Abel Reel. I think I am probably done fishing for the next six weeks until my rib mends. It could have been worse, so I guess I shouldn't fish the Yakima alone and I should make sure that someone at least knows where I've gone in case I don't return home on time.

 

[Out of Here]

Jay, I hope you heal quickly, and it's tough to hear about an experience like this. You're lucky that you were able to get out of there on your own, and avoid the cost of rescue, and penalties for trespassing - not to mention putting river access and property rights in the spotlight.

Apt quote - "Within the problem, lies the solution."

 

[Wormonhook]

Jay, I'm sorry to hear you were seriously injured. However, I'm not clear on your description. Are you saying that you crossed over a barrier that was put in place to emphasize the "No Trespassing" sign?

 

[fodf]

Hmmm, this is a disturbing report. I don't know that the railroad can do that. Which came first, the railroad or the LT Murray Wildlife Area? If I'm not mistaken the "hotdog bridge" was paid for by the state in order to access the wildlife area. Correct me if I'm wrong. You are a very lucky dude to have gotten outa there on your own. BTW, I've only lived here 19 years and have only encountered biting worms twice; the first was right there. Take care, that rib should heal in less than 6 weeks based on my experience.

 

[BDD]

Sorry to hear about your accident.

I know a lot of folks who don't consider it trespassing when using railroads to access hunting and fishing spots.

 

[Old Man]

It's against the law to walk the RR tracks. They consider any access to the track area a no-no.

But are you going to let a little thing like a broken rib stop you from fishing. Man up for christ sake.

 

[fodf]

Jim, says who? I find that screwed up. Is that private property? What about an easement on either side? This has never been an issue in the canyon that I know of. A surly railroad gettin pissy in my mind.

 

[CaptMac]

Disregarding others property rights, whether a farmer or a railroad, gives all of us a bad name. Sorry you got hurt.

 

[Trout Master]

R R tracks have always been no trespassing. They are very strick about it. it's for your protection, tracks dont kill people trains do!

 

[Rick Sharp]

Those rattle worms work for the railroad to keep people of the tracks, better stay on the west side. Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[constructeur]

R R tracks have always been no trespassing. They are very strick about it. it's for your protection, tracks dont kill people trains do!

Mom....is that you?

 

[fodf]

Rattle biting worms are so important to the environment. I wouldn't consider killin em..hell, if I have waders on they are not gettin thru em..especially boots. Besides I carry lotsa Benadryl (otc) and water..good for bee stings..saved a co-worker a couple years ago with over 50 yellow jacket stings. I only had 12..we went to the medi clinic in Twisp where we each got steroid shots. We monitored him hourly in the motel till morning..scary for sure to make sure he was breathing. He now carries a couple of epi pens where ever he goes. Will likely stave off the bite till I can get some help.

 

[Trout Master]

Mom....is that you?

No shes under the desk , if you wanna talk to her ,wait a bit. smartass!

 

[stinkfinger]

R R tracks have always been no trespassing. They are very strick about it. it's for your protection, tracks dont kill people trains do!

No...stupid people crossing the track when trains are coming kill themselves.

 

[fodf]

Well said sir..I couldn't have said it better. This is a very serious issue..WTF is the RR worried about? Killing an angler, hunter, or hiker? Give me a fuxxing break. They are new to the canyon, like within the last 10 years. They have their tracks wiped out by slides, have sheep and deer to deal with, and yet they are banning anyone from crossing the tracks? Stupid ass rule..I still don't think that this is legit or legal. I'll check and report back.

 

[Sageman]

BTW, I've only lived here 19 years and have only encountered biting worms twice; the first was right there.

I've been told that the Umtanum canyon has the highest concentration of rattlesnakes in the state and guys from both CWU and WSU use it for research purposes. Not sure if this is true or not, but I've heard of plenty of encounters like this one.

 

[Wormonhook]

Fodl, I agree with the principle you raise, I'm old school, too. But I know you know that the RR's aren't worried about sheep, deer, slides, etc. They are worried about the lawyers retained by the families of people dumb enough or loaded enough or suicidal enough to get themselves run over by a train. Their argument in court goes something like this: "You mean to say, Mr. RR CEO, that your company was aware of the potential danger of crossing the rails at that location and all you put in place was a sign in English stating "No Trespassing"? Why didn't you put a barrier there to prevent those dumb, loaded, suicidal individuals from getting killed?". The jury agrees and out comes the insurance company's checkbook for millions of dollars.

 

[Steffan Brown]

I'm curious why the railroad company would put boulders across an active railroad in order to prevent people from getting hit?

 

[Out of Here]

Not across the tracks, along the sides. Those tracks are still in use.

 

[Trout Master]

I'm curious why the railroad company would put boulders across an active railroad in order to prevent people from getting hit?

because they want to like Gomez Adams!!!!!