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A river runs through this property rights dispute

Virginia touts the Jackson River as a prime wild trout stream. But anglers and homeowners are involved in a legal dispute over use of a portion of the river. Such conflicts over public access to rivers are increasing across the country.

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Dargan Coggeshall of Charlottesville fishes in the Jackson River near Covington, Va. He and his brother-in-law, Charles Crawford, and a friend were charged with trespassing after a fishing trip two years ago. The charge was dropped, but now he is fighting a lawsuit brought by owners of homes beside the river.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Ben Noffsinger and Stacey Cartwright own and operate Riders Up Outfitters, which provides river shuttle service to the James, Jackson and Cowpasture rivers. They have been unsure of what to tell clients, many of whom are anglers, about ownership of the riverbeds in certain spots of the Jackson. Noffsinger said of the dispute, 'If they ruled people could not use that stretch of the river, that would ruin our business.'

Ben Noffsinger and Stacey Cartwright own and operate Riders Up Outfitters, which provides river shuttle service to the James, Jackson and Cowpasture rivers. They have been unsure of what to tell clients, many of whom are anglers, about ownership of the riverbeds in certain spots of the Jackson. Noffsinger said of the dispute, "If they ruled people could not use that stretch of the river, that would ruin our business."

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Rules are posted at an information kiosk at the Smith Bridge river access point near Covington, Va.

Rules are posted at an information kiosk at the Smith Bridge river access point near Covington, Va.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

An uncompleted sign is at the entrance to the River's Edge, a development on the Jackson River. A homeowner in the River's Edge and the owner of the company that developed it, North and South Development, brought a civil suit against the anglers, seeking $10,000 in damages for trespassing.

An uncompleted sign is at the entrance to the River's Edge, a development on the Jackson River. A homeowner in the River's Edge and the owner of the company that developed it, North and South Development, brought a civil suit against the anglers, seeking $10,000 in damages for trespassing.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Work continues at the River's Edge. The developer, citing a grant from the Colonial era, says landowners own the river's bottom -- in fact, he says, they pay property taxes on land that is underwater.

Work continues at the River's Edge. The developer, citing a grant from the Colonial era, says landowners own the river's bottom -- in fact, he says, they pay property taxes on land that is underwater.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Dargan Coggeshall takes a kayak from atop his car as he prepares for another excusion on the Jackson River.

Dargan Coggeshall takes a kayak from atop his car as he prepares for another excusion on the Jackson River.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Coggeshall gets out his flies for fishing on the Jackson. Virginia touts the river as a premier trout stream.

Coggeshall gets out his flies for fishing on the Jackson. Virginia touts the river as a premier trout stream.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

The Smith Bridge access point on the Jackson is near the River's Edge, where the incident that led to the lawsuit occurred.

The Smith Bridge access point on the Jackson is near the River's Edge, where the incident that led to the lawsuit occurred.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

A bridge over the Jackson near Covington. The town is the county seat of Alleghany County. It is in western Virginia, southwest of Staunton.

A bridge over the Jackson near Covington. The town is the county seat of Alleghany County. It is in western Virginia, southwest of Staunton.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Dargan Coggeshall gives fishing line to another fisherman, Chris Lott, right, of Jackson, Miss.

Dargan Coggeshall gives fishing line to another fisherman, Chris Lott, right, of Jackson, Miss.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

The bed of the Jackson, and who owns and can use it, are the basis of the dispute. Anglers and outdoors enthusiasts say such disputes are becoming increasingly common.

The bed of the Jackson, and who owns and can use it, are the basis of the dispute. Anglers and outdoors enthusiasts say such disputes are becoming increasingly common.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Coggeshall kayaks on the Jackson. He formed a legal defense fund and has addressed conservation and outdoors sports groups. 'If we don’t fight this case and win, the public is going to get locked out of more and more resources,' he says.

Coggeshall kayaks on the Jackson. He formed a legal defense fund and has addressed conservation and outdoors sports groups. "If we don’t fight this case and win, the public is going to get locked out of more and more resources," he says.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

A home in the River's Edge is close to the river bank. 'If you’re sitting out there in a boat, you’re in my back yard,' says Susan Sponaugle, whose son, Matthew, owns North South Development. 'It’s almost like you’re in my sunroom.'

A home in the River's Edge is close to the river bank. "If you’re sitting out there in a boat, you’re in my back yard," says Susan Sponaugle, whose son, Matthew, owns North South Development. "It’s almost like you’re in my sunroom."

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

A sign at the River's Edge says fishing is not allowed. 'We’re average Virginia citizens just interested in having the law upheld, and our property rights not be trampled on,' says Karen Feldenzer, a plaintiff in the suit against Coggeshall and his fishing companions.

A sign at the River's Edge says fishing is not allowed. "We’re average Virginia citizens just interested in having the law upheld, and our property rights not be trampled on," says Karen Feldenzer, a plaintiff in the suit against Coggeshall and his fishing companions.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

Dargan Coggeshall casts in pursuit of trout on the Jackson River.

Dargan Coggeshall casts in pursuit of trout on the Jackson River.

Jared Soares / For The Washington Post

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