To: Virginia Beach City Council
From: A Concerned Fisherman
Subj: Public Access to the Lynnhaven Bar
Council Members,
It has come to my attention that the Virginia Beach Police Department has begun issuing citations for Wade Fishing the Lynnhaven Bar adjacent to the Lesner Bridge. This is a historical fishing spot and public access to fishing should not be barred nor cited. I as a tax payer find this unacceptable and a further intrusion by local government to restrict my rights and access to public lands for legally licensed recreational purposes. I have heard that the reason is to protect me from harm. I find this argument completely without merit. As a long time resident I know of no incident involving a wade fishermen at this location ever.
Fishermen who fish this location have done so for years safely and we do not deserve to be singled out for selective enforcement. We pay close attention to conditions and use prudent caution while fishing there. We dress appropriately and wear protective gear for the conditions as well. Most of the time we are wading not much more than knee deep but this allows us access to one of the premier fishing spots in Va Beach.
I expect the City Council to do the right thing and restore the rights of tax paying citizens to fish this local area with out penalty. Should the City deem necessary then the signage should be amended to reflect "No Swimming" vs the "NO WADING OR SWIMMING" signs currently in place. This would allow fishermen access to these waters and satisfy the cities need to protect the young, the elderly and those who cannot swim from entering these waters.
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"he who always hopes for the best becomes old, and he who is always prepared for the worst grows old early, but he who believes preserves an eternal youth."
There is another thread about this issue, as well.
While I live in Massachusetts, I here are specific protections in each of our Commonwealths to guarantee access for fishing. I think this signage oversteps those boundaries.
New jack here...
