RiverRidge

[jarrod white]

Hey East Tennessee guys, does anybody have any info on the campground at Smalling bridge , I tried to call and the number has been disconnected and the web page is no longer available. I usually camp there alot but did not get to go this year and evidentally something has changed.

[adamtn]

i heard that river ridge had been sold to a private party and would no longer be open to the public earlier this fall

[Curtis Martin]

I heard the same thing on other boards. a private "party" from Alabama now owns it. They bought it for the access to the river I haven't heard anything positive about the it being reopened for public use.

[jarrod white]

I hate to hear that , I cant imagine making that type of investment with no return just for access to the river . People have so many access points on the river posted that pretty soon floating will be the only answer. I really cant see that place staying totally private with real estate prices what they are on that river !!!! I wished I would have known it was for sale    I would love to own that.

[jarrod white]

The picture on my profile is taken just down from the bridge at the campground

[Maniac]

they're making it into a flyfishing lodge

[jarrod white]

If this is true it is definately the best news I have heard in long time !!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you positive about this?

[Maniac]

No, this is not necessarily a good thing...

For years people from all over have been able to access the caddis riffle for wade fishing; I have met people from all over the place who have driven several hours just to wade fish there.  Many have also been able to camp there.  Us guides have been able to do wade trips there, and take out there on float trips, & put in there on float trips.  It has been win/win for many years.

I think the privatization of our natural resources for the benefit of the wealthy few is *usually*, but not always, a bad thing.  Personally, I would love to have my own lodge to guide out of, and I like the guides who bought this place.  So I see it both ways.

What do you guys think about this?

[jarrod white]

I know what you mean about the place , I used to live there and have camped there and took out there on float trips many many times but I had heard that the place would not be opened anymore. I did not mean it was a good thing if it continues as private area, I thought maybe they would still have some camping and maybe an access fee just to fish, have any of those things been mentioned?I can understand the people who bought it because it is a fine piece of real estate for what they intend to do.