Question on fishing etiquette?

[Fishinmagician78]

So there I was fishing a small trib on Saturday. Got their at 5:30 and hung out on the bank till legal fishing time. I was set up to swing eggs and egg patterns. I just start to fish and a guy comes and stands right below me. Every time I swing an egg down stream (10 yards tops) I hook his line so he finally moves. He comes back later in the day mad cause I am still there. That brings us to Sunday, I am fishing the same spot and the same guy comes back and tells me that I had that spot all day the day before and that he was going to fish it for a while. I told him I had been there since dark and I was going to fish it. He casts, I hook his line. He tells me I had the spot long enough. He casts, I hook his line. I tell him to get up earlier, he says he gets up early, I told him apparently not early enough. He gets all pissed off and leaves, and I am the a@@ hole. Am I really an a@@ hole? Did I miss a regulation where we are allotted a certain amount of time in each hole? Just wondering other peoples opinions on this?

I hope this guy is on the site and can explain why he is such a @#$@sucker!!!

[Fish-N-Chip]

I wouldn't worry about it. There is alot of river to fish. He doesn't have to fish in the same hole with you.

Maybe you guys could have rotated through the pool if there was enough room for both of you.

Sounds like whoever it was should learn some more of the river so they will have options.

Chip

[Tempe]

So there I was fishing a small trib on Saturday. Got their at 5:30 and hung out on the bank till legal fishing time. I was set up to swing eggs and egg patterns. I just start to fish and a guy comes and stands right below me. Every time I swing an egg down stream (10 yards tops) I hook his line so he finally moves. He comes back later in the day mad cause I am still there. That brings us to Sunday, I am fishing the same spot and the same guy comes back and tells me that I had that spot all day the day before and that he was going to fish it for a while. I told him I had been there since dark and I was going to fish it. He casts, I hook his line. He tells me I had the spot long enough. He casts, I hook his line. I tell him to get up earlier, he says he gets up early, I told him apparently not early enough. He gets all pissed off and leaves, and I am the a@@ hole. Am I really an a@@ hole? Did I miss a regulation where we are allotted a certain amount of time in each hole? Just wondering other peoples opinions on this?

I hope this guy is on the site and can explain why he is such a @#$@sucker!!!

IMHO, you did nothing wrong. Know if it were me and the guy would have tried stricking up a conversation, and or asked if we could share the spot, I would have let him in and been happy to do so. But to say you "Had The Spot Long Enough" F-that! I would have done no different than you...he's the @#$@sucker!

[Oakey]

if someone makes you change the way you were fishing then they are crowding you. That is how I was taught.

The guy had no right to say you had been there long enough....only you can decide that. I have been in way too many fist fights in my life so I would never let it get to that level, but it seem that many out there are more then willing.

Two days in the same spot......what did you catch?? :)

[Willy]

As far as I'm concerned, you had every right to stay there all day. That's the etiquette around here. If you're there, it's your spot. Moving around and fishing different water is certainly worthwhile, but if you're doing well in your spot and enjoying yourself then might as well stick with it. If the guy had been a little more polite and friendly, and you knew he wanted to fish the spot, it would have been a nice gesture to offer to let him fish it through once or even share the hole, but he was rude and you owed him nothing. Too bad he's gonna keep being rude about it, the only way to change people like that is to go out of your way to be nice to them. I'm not sure I could actually suck it up and offer to share a spot with someone who has already been rude, but kindness can be contagious.

It's funny, the opposite etiquette is acceptable in the Pacific Northwest. If you sit in one spot (or drop in below someone) it is considered very rude. Anything more than a few casts without a step downstream if someone is upstream from you is frowned upon.

[Flythrower]

if someone makes you change the way you were fishing then they are crowding you. That is how I was taught.

The guy had no right to say you had been there long enough....only you can decide that. I have been in way too many fist fights in my life so I would never let it get to that level, but it seem that many out there are more then willing.

Two days in the same spot......what did you catch?? :)


I think he is going to be posting some pics with his rod in his mouth on a small stream..:D :D

Just bustin balls!!;) :fishing2: :fish:

[Fishinmagician78]

Oakey...I have fishing ADD, its rare for me to stay in a spot more than 10 minutes, but yeah I was catching steelhead, big ones, and a lot of them. So I was NOT moving and I made sure to come back the next day with a friend. Not as good Sunday, but still some fish around.

[Fishinmagician78]

I totally agree about sharing a hole. This spot in question was a seam about three feet wide and six feet long. Too small to allow two anglers to fish it simultaneously!

[RJ's Addiction]

You did the right thing. I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying.
Yeah, Guys you wouldn't believe it. I thought he knew him and was going to reach into the magician magic bag and pull out a rabbit. UNREAL.
Anyway, Don't worry about the pics yet. I still have a 35mm. Hopefully Santa will take care of that.
We had a GREAT TIME. Brown trout eggs with white netting. The 18-23 inch
brown trout couldn't stay away. Oh, yeah We did hook some bigger fish too.:D

[wvboy]

You did nothing wrong. I have had that happen numerous times, this year espececially from inexperienced fisherman. There is PLENTY OF RIVER to fish so I dont fret. My fav thing to do is take the guys spot that took my spot and...........FISH ON!! Slap in the face!!

[ecsteelheader]

You had the spot, thats his tough luck...You did no wrong ....Fish On dude>))>

[mohawkriverdan]

I run into the same situation a lot on the Mohawk. You own the hole, but if he the guest knows how to properly and politely "budge in" then he may (with my permission) get every other drift. As long as he is respectful to my drift.

This can work out good as long as he has some class. You can uasualy tell by the way he initially introduces himself to you and by the way he creeps up on the prime realestate. If he is a quiet creeper with not much to say and just starts crowding you than he's most likely a inconsiderate jack off. How ever if he has usefull info and seems to respect you and your fishing technique than chances are he can be fun to fish with.

The dude you are discribeing sounds like a jack off. You did the right thing. F him if he thinks he has the right to fish where ever he wants to.

[SalmonRiverFever]

Some of these guys are like cheap underwear - the keep creeping up!!

You are totally in the right - especially if he was a jerk and was mouthing off at you. You own that hole until you decide to leave. That is the reward for waking up early and getting out there.

The last time I was up there this guy stepped in right below me - really ticked me off - but I saw him around for a day an a half and wasn't on fish the whole time, so I knew he was desperate.

He was totally cool and respected my space - he waited for my casts and I did the same - so we never got crossed up.

I was mad at first, but once I knew he was cool, I was happy to share the hole and see him catch fish. We struck up a conversation and he was a good guy.

But I wouldn't have given the guy in your situation the air around you!!

[Kingfischer]

I am that a-hole. One thing that you have refused to mention is that i was trying to fish the tail-out below you, and that you intentiionally cast over me. I know that you did that, do not argue that, or you are a liar. I have seen two people work that run many times, first one there usually takes the head, second guy takes the tail. You are young, and obviusly bitten by the steelhead bug, and for that I commend you, but you don't know what you are talking about on this issue. You could have been mor accomadating, you deliberately cast on me and made me move, and you my friend are the A-HOLE. See you on the stream, no hard feelings.

No magic here, just a fly fisherman

P.s. why do you drift bait with a fly rod ( i saw the egg sacks)

[gebbyfish]

I am that a-hole. One thing that you have refused to mention is that i was trying to fish the tail-out below you, and that you intentiionally cast over me. I know that you did that, do not argue that, or you are a liar. I have seen two people work that run many times, first one there usually takes the head, second guy takes the tail. You are young, and obviusly bitten by the steelhead bug, and for that I commend you, but you don't know what you are talking about on this issue. You could have been mor accomadating, you deliberately cast on me and made me move, and you my friend are the A-HOLE. See you on the stream, no hard feelings.

No magic here, just a fly fisherman

P.s. why do you drift bait with a fly rod ( i saw the egg sacks)

Kingfischer, get ready to be hammered!

[Fishinmagician78]

Fischer- come on! You don't really believe that do you? If you recall there was somebody fishing the head of that spot and I had the tail. Just because I choose to stand slightly upstream and swing my presentation down into the strike zone does not give you the right to move in on that spot. I simply wanted to stand just up from the fish so I wasn't right on top of them. It seemed to work for me since I did 15 steelhead that day. I never said I didn't hook your line intentionally, you have a bad attitude, had it been better I may have been more accomodating. But really if a guy is swinging flies or eggs or what ever you should respect his presentation not tell him you are going to fish there. As to why I use eggs with a fly rod-I switch presentations a lot and if I want to switch to flies I don't want to have to go to my car and get another rod and loose my spot.

[shotnoyz]

I saw the whole thing... in my sleep. The fish are most at fault, of course. I saw them snickering about it over stonefly stew.

This past weekend I was into a few fish. I had just brought to my side a nice big steelhead, having moved a few feet from where I had launched my drift, not far, but off about ten feet. When I had revived the trout and let it go, I turned to see another guy had stepped just above where I had been. A bit disgruntled, but not overly so, I set about right where I was and first cast out got a large brown. I think it was too much for the guy, for he retreated.

He was alright. He and his buddy seemed like good enough blokes. He simply had a bit of the fever, as have we all. When they left the river we exchanged "Good luck." I do admit I was still a bit put off by his move, but not angrily so. I simply didn't expect it from him. And you know what? I think he was thinking a bit on it, too.

Fresh on the stream I am the consumate angler. I enjoy it all. After a while, however, after too many tangles with the rocks on the streambed and my toes freezing, I get irritable. I swear. Loudly...

I have learned to recognize in myself the signature of fatigue. My drifts grow increasingly clumsy, my temper increasingly irritable. I know what I have to do about it, too, though I find it difficult to do the right thing, and that is to simply take a break. I'm on the cusp between old fart and young turk. Most of the old farts I see on the river enjoy the whole thing, the casting, the drifting, the river, and of course the fish. They take breaks, relax, and they enjoy living this whole thing called fishing. I am learning to as they do, but slowly.

If you see me on the river, and I'm cussing, please tell me to shut up and take a break.

[RJ's Addiction]

Kingfischer, Sorry but, I was at the head of the hole and he was at the back of the hole. I really don't think both of you guys could of fished the SAME drift. I understand if you see someone hooking fish the day before or even the same day and you want to get in on the action. If you remember a couple of weeks ago You were at the top of the hole and I can in to fish the tail end with the 12 old girl. I asked you if we were crowding you and didn't want to get in your way.
A little consideration goes a long way.
Oh, We been at the game for about 20 years. We all have things to learn. So just because he may look young don't assume he doesn't know what he's doing.
YES, No hard feeling and we will see you on the stream.
FISH ON BOYS!!!

[eriesteel]

I just wanted to point out...............(oh my, the dog just farted and I got get outa' this room) next time....:censored:

[Troutbum5!]

Thanks for reminding me that you fished with me on that same run 2 weeks ago Eric. As I recall that same run supported 4 anglers just 2 weeks prior, 2 of them being novice, and I think we got hung up once. Funny how 2 weeks later with more water it is crowded with 2. I was half joking when i commented on you fising that long enough Magician, I joked with you about it the day before when I left If you recall. I anounced I was going to fish BELOW you, the slot I wanted to hit was behind a big rock you weren't even drifting. In order to hit it, I had to throw slightly upstream. I waited for you to clear and made my roll, only to have you immidiately toss your rig in on top of me. This happened twice, I never said a word and moved down to the riffs. That is the whole story, and with that being said I am open to any commentary. Before you go bashing me Eric, remember that you walked in on me,and I had no problems with you or your 2 friends fishing below me even though it cosiderably altered my ability to fish the run the way that I wanted. Tell me why that run could support 4 anglers when I had staked claim, but could only support 2 when the "Magician" was in town?

[Tempe]

Man, this must be one he!! of a spot, and in order for me to make an educated objective opinion one way or the other, I'm going to need it's location. :p ;)

[cinozzy]

Man, this must be one he!! of a spot, and in order for me to make an educated objective opinion one way or the other, I'm going to need it's location. :p ;)
Ill take the bottom part of the run:)

[RJ's Addiction]

First of all Troutbum5 If you are talking to me. The name is Randy and second if you recall I ASKED YOU IF IT WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM IF WE COULD FISH BELOW YOU AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO CROWD YOU.If that was going to be a problem all you had to say "No". I also believe I asked twice to make sure.So for you to say I WALKED in on you is a joke. There was still only two people fishing that side. You and me with the 12 year and her dad taking turns.When I wasn't fishing.
You guys want to know the creek pm me.

[champlain fisher]

I am that a-hole. One thing that you have refused to mention is that i was trying to fish the tail-out below you, and that you intentiionally cast over me. I know that you did that, do not argue that, or you are a liar. I have seen two people work that run many times, first one there usually takes the head, second guy takes the tail. You are young, and obviusly bitten by the steelhead bug, and for that I commend you, but you don't know what you are talking about on this issue. You could have been mor accomadating, you deliberately cast on me and made me move, and you my friend are the A-HOLE. See you on the stream, no hard feelings.

No magic here, just a fly fisherman

P.s. why do you drift bait with a fly rod ( i saw the egg sacks)

If I was fishing a 3FT BY 6FT area and you came along and started casting in there I would push you in instead of hooking your line. Just because you have seen 2 people fish it before does not give you the right to just walk up and start plunking away. Ever stop and think that most likely they were 2 guys that were out fishing together fishin that spot when you see 2 guys fish it before. That is not a hole it is a slot. He beat you to the spot and did not want his drift changed to make you happy - grow up or like he told you get up earlier.

[wvboy]

Ill take the bottom part of the run:)

Nice....I will squeeze in between!! Must be the only place there are fish!!!:D

[bottomscratcher]

whats right isssss ....the early bird gets the spot . n keeps the spot as long as he stays there... wtf is the problem w/ that????? u move your feet u loose your seat.....

[keukakatch&release]

You guys want to know the creek pm me.

HEY!!!!! Don't do that, man.....I fish that creek 4 days a week, and its always packed. We don't need even MORE people there!!!!

[RJ's Addiction]

Keuka, Give me call, Happy Thanksgiving :D