Walcat this is actually a productive dialogue though and hasn't descended into "stupid argument phase."

Property owners have the right to handle their property the way the want but once again, an awful lot of the posted water is being leased to big money

DarDys
Just what percentage is there proof (not hearsay) of being leased of the available waterway in Erie? In PA?

I would be willing to bet a Teresa's Lake Shore Deli Nightmare Combo that it is a lot closer to 5% (or less) than it is 25%, and that does not translate into "an awful lot."

I'd bet it's closer to 1% than 5%.
 
 

D-nymph

DarDys
Just what percentage is there proof (not hearsay) of being leased of the available waterway in Erie? In PA?

I would be willing to bet a Teresa's Lake Shore Deli Nightmare Combo that it is a lot closer to 5% (or less) than it is 25%, and that does not translate into "an awful lot."

I'd bet it's closer to 1% than 5%.  

Agreed. I was being overly generous.

Also above Little Elk, now talking a couple of miles I figure

Id love to fish some of those posted sections of elk, oh well i guess i better start making lots more money
 
 

Captain Hook is dead on about the stretch below Folllies.  It was great water to fish.  On a positive note, all those unmolested fish (except for those played with by guides and their clients) have to come back downstream in the spring.  Between these posted sections giving the fish a break for the winter and the frozen over creeks the last few years, I have had some great "drop back" fishing in the spring.

Most people would not know how much of Elk is not even fishable unless they were to walk the stream. By being unfishable meaning no holding water just smooth flat,shallow bottom.

wow!!! Why does everyone keep telling every one to get out and explore. The more yo yo's you have exploring the more posted property your going to have. If you have to tell them to look for a place to fish, those are the type of people you should be sending to the access areas not to private property. This is almost like spot burning, keep it up and every thing will be posted.

eggsacks4life
Approximately 8 miles of ELK is posted, all great water. Still a ton of open water to fish in Erie County, most people choose not to explore a lot of it and that's their first mistake if you want to find good fishing and solitude.

But getting back to the earlier discussion posted (private property rights) vs. leased (making money off the fish resource, presuming that is a valid point), how much of that 8 miles is leased, and further, what percentage of all steelhead water is that?

This is the point I have been trying to make,if half of the stream is posted and a very large part of what is left is unfishable it sure does not leave much of that beautiful stream to fish. Not being a resident of the state I was hoping someone from Pa could make a difference without peoples right to privacy being violated. High water marks might work?

Ok, would it be fair then for the state to stop putting public fish into these waters. The property owners would not have to put up with fishermen and the money for the fish could be put elsewhere or in waters that are not so heavily posted?

More than half of 20 mile is up to the NY line.
 

I don't believe 8 miles of Elk is posted either. But lets face some facts that stretch I described is large and no doubt the best holding and staging Steelhead water on all of Elk Creek and it is posted. The problem with Elk Creek and other Erie tributary waters is the holding holes are stretched so far apart that in a one mile run of water your lucky if there are 5 or 6 holding areas to fish. There is a lot of dead water on these creeks I mean water that holds little or no fish. Elk runs so shallow at times that the holding holes are the only place you will find fish. With the posting of more areas it just puts even more people into already stressed fishing water ! It' not a good situation for future Trout fishing along these waters. Too many people and not enough access water to fishermen will take it's toll on Steelhead fishing. I think it has started showing up the last few years. Eventually less fishermen will equal less stocking money and less cash for Erie business's. Fall fishing use to be a busy time along the Erie shores but these setbacks will cut that short into the future. Wish there was an easy answer but I don't see any in sight for future Erie Steelhead fishing. It's sad that a lot of kids that will miss out on a great seasonal outdoor sport that we enjoyed!