The county commission passed a resolution Monday night to recommend that no restriction be placed on boating the Caney Fork River.
A meeting is to be held on Sept. 28 at the TWRA Region II office in Nashville to discuss issues with the river, and a group of Davidson County fly fishermen is expected to suggest that canoes and kayaks be restricted if not banned on the river.
County Mayor Mike Foster, a former TWRA agent, made it clear at the regular meeting of the commission Monday that he opposes any regulation or zoning on the river that favors one party over another.
“We apparently have some fly fishermen out of Nashville who want to ban kayakers and canoers from going down a public stream so they can fly fish,” the mayor said. “We are not opposed to fly fishermen, we are not  opposed to canoers, we feel like there’s room on the river for everybody.”
Foster told the commission that the county benefits from tourism dollars generated by many different groups, and that although the resolution carries no legal weight, he feels that the commission should make its wishes known.
“Because of the possible impact on our tourism dollars, we have drafted this resolution,” Foster informed the assembly. “This is a non-binding resolution. It is an acknowledgement that this is something that we are aware of, and don’t approve of.
The resolution reads:
“Whereas the Caney Fork River is a major tourism attraction for DeKalb County and surrounding areas, and
“Whereas DeKalb County benefits from fishermen, boaters, wildlife viewers and sightseers on the Caney Fork River, and
“Whereas DeKalb County desires to cater to and attract people from all tourist functions, and whereas we do not wish to see the river compartmentalized, bound, or set aside for any one group at the expense of any other, and
“Whereas we feel that with a little cooperation, courtesy, and less selfishness, the problem could be averted.
“Now, therefore be it resolved that the DeKalb County Commission in regular session on Sept. 24, 2012 recommends that no special zoning, compartmentalization and no special access activity be approved on the Caney Fork River.”
Foster reiterated his feeling that everyone should be able to use the river, saying that he thought there was room on the waterway for everyone.
“I’m all for fly fishing,” said the mayor, “But I am also for everybody else having access.”
The board voted in favor of sending the letter to the proper authorities.