Eastern Shore Barrier Is. Route? Launch?

[Tanner Yak]

I wanted to take a 2-3 day paddle/fishing trip out of the Eastern Shore and fish the Barrier Islands. What is the best route? Can you camp out there? Where do you launch? Is anyone interested in going along? I was thinking about early September. I have not done an over night in Salt Water. I have done Plenty of camping and paddling on rivers. Thanks

[Chunkalead]

I could be wrong but I do not think you can camp on the barrier islands.

[Jeff Edwards]

THERE ARE 2 CAMPGROUNDS ON ASSATEAQUE ISLAND, ONE STATE AND 1 FEDERAL. THERE ARE MARKED CANOE TRAILS AROUND THE BACK BAYS.
THERE IS ALSO A FEW CAMPGROUNDS ON THE BACK BAYS
CHECK ON THE ROAD LEADING TO ASSATEAQUE ISLAND FROM ROUTE 50

FRONTEER TOWN,EAGLE NEST?

JEFF

[Tanner Yak]

Thanks for the campground info.
I was looking around Smith Is.
I came across this web link of some guys paddling it.
Is this legal?
http://www.seakayak.ws/kayak/kayak.nsf/NavigationList/NT00016DBA

[wkfa.org]

Joe,
drop me an email. I know most of the places over there. The state park is an awesome place to crash. You can work the concrete ships (Although they are on the Bay side).

There is a small creek at the wildlife refuge. Just time it around high tide. You can go right out to the islands there.

John "Toast" Oast
Williamsburg Kayak Fishing Association
http://wkfa.org/

[boats]

Tanner send me a bmail and I can give you some information. I know Oyster south pretty good and have some hand marked up charts.

Boats

[Tanner Yak]

thanks to all for the help.
I didnt know it was illegal.
Sounds like a really cool trip though.
I am going to check into maybe getting permits?

[boats]

Camping is not illegal just not allowed by the Va Coast Reserve who own a number of the islands. I don't think I would put any time into asking for permits. I have never heard of any being issued.

In Virginia however the shoreline to high tide mark is public property so a traveling Yak can pull out about anywere it wants to.

[Tanner Yak]

thats great info

[Fisherman]

Interesting Boats, I pulled off on Fishermans well below the high tide and the ranger flipped a biscuit. I was very (almost to the point of mockery) cooperative, but she was insenced. "Don't make me call the enforcement officer," she yelled as I paddled away from the beach. They are very sensitive about thier islands. For good reason. The locals are very sensitive, too. They resent kayakers taking advantage of the rules and understanding between the conservation organization and the residents. Please, only camp where it is permitted. I think there are some platforms and a route up around the VA/MD border. Boats could fill you in more on what is where.

[Tanner Yak]

The simple truth is...catching fish is fun... but it is not worth getting someone upset over. I believe that all real outdoors men and woman are environmentalist at heart... or at least they should be if they want to still have an outdoors to play in. If it is going to really get someone upset enough to yell and call the police, than I will dodge those places because there are lots of places where people are pleasant and nice. It does seem to be some access in the area. And where there is no access I will not go.

Thanks to all for the info and the help.
I have really enjoyed this form and all have been very helpful.
Blessings and tight lines

Joe

[JAL]

I believe Fisherman's is a Federal Wildlife refuge, hence the reaction you may have received (especially if it was the time the feathered friends were doing the nature 'thang).

Virginia's barrier islands fall under the Nature Conservacy, except for Wallops (NASA_Federal) and Chincoteague. I wouldn't recommend beaching a yak or boat on Wallops Island, either (just kiddin'). [grin][grin][grin]

Never had an issue on ESVA islands, except the bugs, they welcome everyone ...

[billx8]

Assateague is very good but the Coast Reserve is great. As noted above camping is a no no in the CR. I've never had any trouble landing and day hiking the islands but I'm not fully up to date on the rules. Some islands are clearly posted no landing. In any case use common sense. Many islands are covered with birds and landing would be an unwarranted disturbance. It is almost a must to be very aware of the tides. If you are day tripping (no camping allowed) you need a mid day low tide so that it is with you both ways. Tidal currents are strong and you don't want to buck them.

[boats]

I am not a lawyer so don't take my advice and press a point with anyone. Here is what I know about the route a Yak could take from Kiptopeake state park to Oyster.

As far as I know there is no local law that prevents landing or overnight on beaches, Virginia Beach for example has such an ordnance but the Eastern Shore countys do not. In Virginia the shoreline to high tide mark is public, access to the beach from shore is not generaly public but the beaches are.

There are only 3 public Yak access points Kiptopeake State Park to Oyster. The park itself, The countly property inside the "Cut" and Oyster boat ramp.

The sandbars in inlets are generaly considered to be open to anyone or any use. Watch the tides you could get suprised.

Kiptopeake of course is a park and if you pay the fee it's yours to use. They do have a closed spot to the south because of nesting shorebirds.

The Bay beach that runs south is all private until you get to the CBBT. The area around the bridge is owned by the CBBT commision, they don't allow any use and patrol it fairy intensively.

There is a county piece of property that accesses the cut to the east of the little bridge and launching/use has never been a problem. Thats the best Yak Access spot. Right next to it is a private landing thats locked up. The islands to the South of the cut are all private.

Fishermans Island is Federal and a wildlife refuge, Because of the refuge status access regulations are very strict and it's aggressivly patroled. Avoid it complety. I do fish the creeks but never land.

Smiths, Myrle and Ship Shoal are all Nature Conservency. They allow daytime beach use no overnight. These islands can all have closed areas due to nesting birds, well marked and should be respected 100%

Nature Conservency is pretty good about access and I never push there rules. I have in years past been caught ovenight unavoidably and sleeping at the shore line in a boat or on the beach has never been a problem. It's a real unconfortable night though and I always left first light.

The various oyster watch houses have a mixed background. I suspect most were built by the oyster bed lease holders. All of the oyster/clam beds are leased from the state by somebody. None are public as far as I know. I doubt if anyone could figure out who the actual shack owners are since an oyster lease does not come with any building permits. I don't think I would set up camp on one.

Mockhorn and Wreck are State of Virginia owned and some overnight is allowed subject to VDGIF rules. I don't know what they are but as a pratical matter I would not want to overnight on Mockhorn. Wreck should be OK and I do see people camping there.

Cobbs has a lot of private ownership daytime use has never been a problem for me.

This makes it pretty difficult for a Yak to travel the Southern most Seaside barrier islands. Given likely speed the jumps from spot to spot are too far for a days trip. Escorted with some sort of powerboat would be workable as as far as I can see the way to go.

It's a shame Virginia could not set up some sort of trail like in the Everglades. Since they own much of the barrier island shore unless Nature Conservency agreed it would be pretty difficult. From what I know about Nature Conservency they are set up to stop development not encourage use. Good thing too.

Boats