Fast Water
12-19-2002, 09:57 AM
Drift Fishing
Banking with the crowd
Well, we’ve all been situations where a popular (your favorite) fishing hole get a little crowded. You would like to fish with a bit of freedom, but with rivers running a bit high reducing bank space and a fresh batch of fish heading up river, popular spots are often overrun with anglers trying to cash in.
I remember the first time looking at a stretch of water wanting to throw in but seeing five other fishers there evenly spaced out wondering if they would get ticked off if I stepped into the line to fish with them. It happens the other way around too. Your fishing by yourself when suddenly you are surrounded by five “friends” who have suddenly taken interest in the same stretch of water. It can be somewhat intimidating to a novice fisher who want to do well and fit in.
Here is a list of some common courtesies (unwritten rules if you will) that can help a beginner or anyone fishing in these crowded, heavy pressure conditions. Please feel free to chime in with other ideas.
1. When wanting to join a line, spend a few moments and watch the activity. Get a feel for how they are fishing instead of trying to figure it out on the fly.
2. Simply ask, ”Mind if I step in here”? More often than not, you will get a “yes” answer and, though it may not necessarily sound sincere, it is a heck of a lot better than just barging in.
3. Wait your turn. Lets start at the beginning. The “beginning” being the down stream caster. This person will generally set the pace. Each upstream fisher in turn would cast. Make every effort possible not to cast over someone else’s line. This will give everyone a better chance of not getting tangled up with each other or interfere when someone hooks up.
4. Be ready. If you are not ready to cast, just simply say “OUT” so the next fisher upstream can cast. That will give you time to fix whatever the issue is and then you can rejoin on the next round.
5. If you get snagged, say “I’m snagged” and try to get out of it quickly. If you can’t do so with a couple quick jerks then snap it off and re-tie. You don’t want three or four other lines piling into yours as you are standing there testing the strength of your rod trying to save a corkie.
6. Fish on!! Those magic words. If they are not your words, then get the heck out of the way. This may mean simply retrieving your gear and waiting or a quick retreat back to the shoreline as you are reeling in. Pay attention and be ready to react if necessary. If you tangle up with someone who is “on” , SAY SO and flip your bail. Do not apply any pressure and give the fisher a chance to bank the fish. Believe me, when you hook up you will want the same thing from your “friend”.
7. You got one!! Now what. Say, “FISH ON” and don’t be bashful about it. Let them hear you. You may think that it is just a sucker or a whitefish and don’t want to be too enthusiastic about shouting it out. Forget that. We have all seen small little tugs turn into big time head shakes. The fish might just be Mr. Small, and you might take some ribbing for it, but it is all in fun.
8. Where is the fish going? If your slime rocket is heading down stream yell COMING DOWN, and let the people have a chance to get out of the way. Same thing for COMING UP. Don’t forget the fishers across the stream: FISH ON. STRAIGHT ACROSS. If you hook into something sizable and can’t hold your ground, don’t think that because you said it once that the fishers 50 or 100 yard up or down the way have heard you. Rivers can be noisy. Speak up and let them know.
9. When your getting close to banking your fish, watch for a few things. Is the fish clipped? Is it fair hooked? Don’t just rip the fish on the bank and allow it to beat it self up only to find out it is a native. Be prepared to release the fish in the water. That can be tricky thing to do for sure but understand from time to time you will have to do it.
10. Sight fishing. Seeing a fish in the water close up can be exciting and there is no problem in trying to catch it. But after it passes you, let-it-go. It is very irritating and distracting for other fishers when someone is popping in and out of lines following a fish up stream.
11. First time with a bait caster? Maybe you should practice in less crowded conditions until you get your casting drag(s) dialed in.
12. Lending a helping hand. Just don’t rush in to help a fellow fisher bank a fish. Though your intentions are well placed they may not want your help. Instead ask if she/he wants help and what they specifically want. When netting a fish, remember it is one-smooth-motion. Do not place the net into the water and wait for the fish to be dragged into it. It will just get spooked.
13. Straighten up that line mister! If all the fisher stay in a straight or receding line, it will make everyone’s retrieval easier. Don’t be the fisher who stands an extra 5 or 10 feet in the water. It just reduces the amount of fishable water for everyone.
14. Trash. Pack it in. Pack it out. If you don’t have a box of trash bags in you rig, then get some.
Ok. I have brain lock.
Battle fishing is not the neatest thing to do for sure, but with a little patience, understanding and forgiveness of your fellow fishers, your experience in these crowded conditions should improve.
I welcome comments and additions to this list.
Thank you.
:grin:
[ 12-19-2002, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: Fast Water ]
Banking with the crowd
Well, we’ve all been situations where a popular (your favorite) fishing hole get a little crowded. You would like to fish with a bit of freedom, but with rivers running a bit high reducing bank space and a fresh batch of fish heading up river, popular spots are often overrun with anglers trying to cash in.
I remember the first time looking at a stretch of water wanting to throw in but seeing five other fishers there evenly spaced out wondering if they would get ticked off if I stepped into the line to fish with them. It happens the other way around too. Your fishing by yourself when suddenly you are surrounded by five “friends” who have suddenly taken interest in the same stretch of water. It can be somewhat intimidating to a novice fisher who want to do well and fit in.
Here is a list of some common courtesies (unwritten rules if you will) that can help a beginner or anyone fishing in these crowded, heavy pressure conditions. Please feel free to chime in with other ideas.
1. When wanting to join a line, spend a few moments and watch the activity. Get a feel for how they are fishing instead of trying to figure it out on the fly.
2. Simply ask, ”Mind if I step in here”? More often than not, you will get a “yes” answer and, though it may not necessarily sound sincere, it is a heck of a lot better than just barging in.
3. Wait your turn. Lets start at the beginning. The “beginning” being the down stream caster. This person will generally set the pace. Each upstream fisher in turn would cast. Make every effort possible not to cast over someone else’s line. This will give everyone a better chance of not getting tangled up with each other or interfere when someone hooks up.
4. Be ready. If you are not ready to cast, just simply say “OUT” so the next fisher upstream can cast. That will give you time to fix whatever the issue is and then you can rejoin on the next round.
5. If you get snagged, say “I’m snagged” and try to get out of it quickly. If you can’t do so with a couple quick jerks then snap it off and re-tie. You don’t want three or four other lines piling into yours as you are standing there testing the strength of your rod trying to save a corkie.
6. Fish on!! Those magic words. If they are not your words, then get the heck out of the way. This may mean simply retrieving your gear and waiting or a quick retreat back to the shoreline as you are reeling in. Pay attention and be ready to react if necessary. If you tangle up with someone who is “on” , SAY SO and flip your bail. Do not apply any pressure and give the fisher a chance to bank the fish. Believe me, when you hook up you will want the same thing from your “friend”.
7. You got one!! Now what. Say, “FISH ON” and don’t be bashful about it. Let them hear you. You may think that it is just a sucker or a whitefish and don’t want to be too enthusiastic about shouting it out. Forget that. We have all seen small little tugs turn into big time head shakes. The fish might just be Mr. Small, and you might take some ribbing for it, but it is all in fun.
8. Where is the fish going? If your slime rocket is heading down stream yell COMING DOWN, and let the people have a chance to get out of the way. Same thing for COMING UP. Don’t forget the fishers across the stream: FISH ON. STRAIGHT ACROSS. If you hook into something sizable and can’t hold your ground, don’t think that because you said it once that the fishers 50 or 100 yard up or down the way have heard you. Rivers can be noisy. Speak up and let them know.
9. When your getting close to banking your fish, watch for a few things. Is the fish clipped? Is it fair hooked? Don’t just rip the fish on the bank and allow it to beat it self up only to find out it is a native. Be prepared to release the fish in the water. That can be tricky thing to do for sure but understand from time to time you will have to do it.
10. Sight fishing. Seeing a fish in the water close up can be exciting and there is no problem in trying to catch it. But after it passes you, let-it-go. It is very irritating and distracting for other fishers when someone is popping in and out of lines following a fish up stream.
11. First time with a bait caster? Maybe you should practice in less crowded conditions until you get your casting drag(s) dialed in.
12. Lending a helping hand. Just don’t rush in to help a fellow fisher bank a fish. Though your intentions are well placed they may not want your help. Instead ask if she/he wants help and what they specifically want. When netting a fish, remember it is one-smooth-motion. Do not place the net into the water and wait for the fish to be dragged into it. It will just get spooked.
13. Straighten up that line mister! If all the fisher stay in a straight or receding line, it will make everyone’s retrieval easier. Don’t be the fisher who stands an extra 5 or 10 feet in the water. It just reduces the amount of fishable water for everyone.
14. Trash. Pack it in. Pack it out. If you don’t have a box of trash bags in you rig, then get some.
Ok. I have brain lock.
Battle fishing is not the neatest thing to do for sure, but with a little patience, understanding and forgiveness of your fellow fishers, your experience in these crowded conditions should improve.
I welcome comments and additions to this list.
Thank you.
:grin:
[ 12-19-2002, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: Fast Water ]