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Anglers Protest Huey Lewis Stream Closure

added 04 August 2003 at 15.02

According to reports, Huey Lewis (of Huey Lewis and the News fame) has attempted to close a stream on his property in Montana, much to the anger of local anglers.

More than 50 anglers turned up at the stream on Sunday (August 3), known locally as the Mitchell Slough, and started fishing in protest at the music star's plans to close the waterway. According to Associated Press, the protesters included Republican State Rep. Jim Shockley and retired Justice of the Peace Ed Sperry.

Lewis (real name Hugh Anthony Cregg, III) himself did not attend the protest, but left a statement explaing he believed locals only now want access to Mitchell Slough because he had spent considerable time and money removing rubbish from the area.

"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," he said.

There were no arrests though county officials did insist that the protesters had current fishing licenses, and take the most direct route around Mr Lewis' fences so as not to disturb the singer (or indeed his News if they happened to be visiting).

However, it is unclear at present whether the stream is a tributary of the nearby Bitterroot River (which would obviously make it public property) or whether it's just a ditch and thus part of Lewis' property.

The Slough's legal status remains uncertain.

Matt Everitt

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