timster
08-04-2003, 06:57 AM
A "fish-in" drew about 50 anglers who cast their lines in protest of rock 'n' roll star Huey Lewis' efforts to close a stream on his property.
The protesters included Republican state Rep. Jim Shockley and retired Justice of the Peace Ed Sperry, who led the group Sunday into the barricaded Mitchell Slough with a cry of "Let's do it!"
At issue was whether the stream is a channel of the Bitterroot River, which would make it public under the state's Stream Access Law, or whether it is just a ditch and part of Lewis' property.
There were no arrests. Officials did require protesters to have current fishing licenses, take the most direct route around Lewis' fences and stay in the water.
The slough's legal status remains uncertain.
"We are just waiting for a determination so that we can give people a clear direction," said Mack Long, a Montana wildlife official. "We ask for patience."
Lewis, with his band The News, sold a combined 15 million albums with their records "Sports" and "Fore!" Their singles include "Hip to Be Square" and "I Want A New Drug."
Lewis did not attend the protest, but left a statement saying people only wanted access to Mitchell Slough after he had spent time and money removing junked cars, tires and other debris.
"It is ironic that people who claim to care so much about protecting the Bitterroot River fishery will risk killing fish as a publicity stunt," Lewis wrote.
The protesters included Republican state Rep. Jim Shockley and retired Justice of the Peace Ed Sperry, who led the group Sunday into the barricaded Mitchell Slough with a cry of "Let's do it!"
At issue was whether the stream is a channel of the Bitterroot River, which would make it public under the state's Stream Access Law, or whether it is just a ditch and part of Lewis' property.
There were no arrests. Officials did require protesters to have current fishing licenses, take the most direct route around Lewis' fences and stay in the water.
The slough's legal status remains uncertain.
"We are just waiting for a determination so that we can give people a clear direction," said Mack Long, a Montana wildlife official. "We ask for patience."
Lewis, with his band The News, sold a combined 15 million albums with their records "Sports" and "Fore!" Their singles include "Hip to Be Square" and "I Want A New Drug."
Lewis did not attend the protest, but left a statement saying people only wanted access to Mitchell Slough after he had spent time and money removing junked cars, tires and other debris.
"It is ironic that people who claim to care so much about protecting the Bitterroot River fishery will risk killing fish as a publicity stunt," Lewis wrote.