Stream access rights and regulations in the United States vary throughout the country, and depending on where exactly you’re fishing, the laws dealing with how you can enter a riverbed or step into the water can be wildly different. The subject is a complicated one, and with a growing number of anglers and a continued increase in the popularity of fishing, the stream access issue has dramatically heated up over the past several years. In the midst of the continuing and heated battle for public access and fishing rights throughout the US, a company called Rare Waters is offering what they believe is a unique option to diversify angler access. With the Rare Waters model, individual anglers can secure river access to private property through an “Air-BNB-like” pay-to-play platform. They’ve created a network with property owners – primarily and initially in the US West – who are willing – for a fee – to grant access to anglers looking for both solitude and exclusive access. And while Rare Waters is not buying up properties and converting public waters into private waters, a lot of anglers nonetheless have very strong opinions on public access and the pay-to-access scenarios. In this episode, Waypoints host Jim Klug is joined by RJ Hosking and Brendan Stucky of Rare Waters for a discussion about stream access, private property rights, the history of private “fishing clubs,” and the effects of increased angling pressure on our rivers and streams. - View all podcast episodes by going to the WAYPOINTS podcast page - WAYPOINTS is brought to you by our friends at Fishpond. Visit the Fishpond website to look at some of the gear we never leave home without. As a special offer for WAYPOINTS listeners, enter the code “WAYPOINTS,” all upper case, at checkout when you spend 40 dollars or more, and receive a free River Rat koozie while supplies last. When you take the road less traveled, make sure you travel with Fishpond. - Follow us on Instagram - Follow us on Facebook - Subscribe to our Newsletter for trip specials, travel news, and more! - View the official Yellow Dog website