I understand that you can go to the Sandy Point State Park without having to pay the refuge entrance fee. You need to infor the gate-keeper of your intentions and he/she will take down your plate number. If they find you parked within the refuge I guess they fine you.
I've been getting out on the River two to three mornings a week and have been surprised by how early the fall pattern has set up. Almost all the good flyfishing has been outside: outside both the North and South jetties, incoming tide in the North jetty eddies and behind the Badgers.
Some of the outside fish have been in the 26" to 30" class. The bar at the point has not been terribly productive from what I understand.
There still are big fish falling for pogies in some up river pockets. These fish don't seem to respond to flies but will suck down a big live pogie at first light and dead ones as the sun rises.