Fishing Report Philosophies?

This Ifish BB has become a very broad spectrum fishing information site; from tech posts to product opinion posts and lots in between (as well as just fun posts). Reports of fishing success, or lack of, has always been one of the valuable aspects of this. Reports have also been a source of differing opinions of how far they should go. There is no right or wrong to this! I will give my opinion to this aspect and would like to get feedback from others to possibly bring fishing reports into a realm of acceptability to the majority opinion. Of course the main concern is that good reports will bring undue pressure to a watershed that it otherwise wouldn't have got. I agree that in some circumstances this could happen, but not to the degree that some anti-report fanatics contend, nor will it significantly affect your chances of success. On the other hand, I also think there are places such as small rivers or areas of larger watersheds that are not well known which are best left unreported when they have an occasional shot of good fishing. There just aren't many of these special places left, so they should be found by the individual rather than directed right to them on the net. Examples of where I think fishing reports should be given to help our fellow Ifishers: obviously well known fishing areas; such as relatively known areas of the Columbia, Willamette, Clackamas, Sandy, Wilson, Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Santiams, Lewis, Kalama, Cowlitz, 'Nooch?, Skagit, Puget Sound, etc. We should help each other with the often difficult decision of whether to fish or get after the "to do list", or work. Places better left unmentioned would be such as the #$^%_)( or &$#^() and of course never mention the ^**(#%! You get the idea. What's the best way to go guys? .....

Another point being debated in another thread (Siletz Saturday 02/17/01 Report), is about fishers that only report their hot days and never their slow days. Is this trying to be helpful or just boasting? Either way it's not a big deal, but I would like to see people report their slow days too, so as to be a more helpful member by giving a more accurate idea of what's really happening out there. I have given a number or reports of my getting skunked this season, along with a few successful days too. Opinions? ... RT



[This message has been edited by RT (edited 02-18-2001).]

[Jennie@ifish]

OK. Here is mine... I had a terrible steelhead season!
Did that help?

Jen

[FISHFINDER]

RT-

I can't agree more with what you said. In fact, before I read your post I had the same thoughts just reading the title. I take my zipper lips very seriously and view them not just as places to catch fish, but also as places to enjoy peace and quiet. I am sure that the majority of the IFishers would treat these places with the same respect as I do. But there is always the chance of someone with bad habits that could ruin a place forever.

Places like the Willamette, Columbia, etc. receive large(?) numbers of fish compared to a smaller zipper lip and have all types of fisherpeople on them. So, I don't have any trouble sharing reports from those. I think it is good to help out a fellow fisher when it comes to a place that is going to be crowded no matter what the fishing is like and that has enough fish to go around.

So, I will start sharing reports, good and bad, even from my zippers. I just like hearing that people are out fishing and don't need to find out other's secret spots. I have fun finding my own.

As for this weekend, I didn't go because the reports have been so bad.

FF

[WheresMyBobber]

That's an interesting question RT. Obviously there are a lot of lurkers who read this board with the hope of learning where the "bite is on", but have no intent of ever registering or contributing anything at all. It's because of this that I don't think we can or should expect the regular members of this forum to provide everybody who has an internet connection with up to date fishing reports, regardless of which river it is.

I don't consider myself an anti report fanatic, but I have definitely seen a good report have an immediate impact on the fishing pressure on a particular river. I think it is logical that this impact is much greater in the more densly populated areas with fishable rivers close by. How many drift boats, sleds and bank fishermen can get along and still have an enjoyable time on the Sandy, Clack or other similar rivers? We've already seen threads about confrontations and problems with over crowding. Sure, on rivers like the Willamette and Columbia, there is a lot more water and room to fish. But even these spots can become over crowded because of a fishing report (just ask the folks that fished Oregon City this weekend).

I guess where I stand on the issue is that I will give accurate "general" information about what I see and do on a river, but as far as specific locations, no way. BUT, I will always continue to share more specific information in private with friends, and Ifish members that I communicate with by email. As time goes on, I hope to meet more Ifishers, and will be happy to give them more specific info as well. And that's all I would expect of any other regular member of this forum. That's just my 2 cents.

On another topic - I asked about deep tackle boxes to hang spinners, wobblers, flatfish, etc. on this board a while back. While I got some good responses, I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. However......I had a brainstorm while laying in bed the other night on how to easily make one. During the next week or two I plan on making one and I'll try to post a picture and instructions on this board.

[Trick]

One thing that I think is important is for registered users to have their email adress listed so that when we want to share "zipperlip" areas we can do it on a smaller scale to those that we wish to share with. I would like to see more individuals become better at exploiting the better hatchery returns with the better fin-clip percentages. That's what the hatchery programs are for and that's what our fees, licenses and taxes help produce.

I want to see the people that pay more than their fair share do well. Hopefully this board is generating more interest in fishing and more revenue for Fish and Wildlife. I just wish we could be more sure the money is being spent wisely.

I have my special spots and I know how precious they can be. It's nice to be able to escape the rat race once in awhile.

[smilesforu]

Interesting topic...but one I tend to stray away from. I don't post my where to go unless it won't be come overpopulated. Unfortuantely with more and more fishermen out there one hot report with pictures can sure bring some extra competition. Started vaction on Friday...which got me to the hospital having a endoscopy on stew meat . Maybe I will share this years fishing pictures at the end of the year . Fishing sucks..... So stay home RT until you are guaranteed fish .
When you see me on the river...Don't forget to say.."Don't I know you"

Tight Lines


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Marty M
Steelheader.net

[Jeffhead]

Well my friend you know exactly how I feel about this one!!! Share all of the tech I can, share major rivers and bodies of water (Puget Sound, Cowlitz, Lewis, Columbia, etc...), good reports and bad. But I'll never give any reports on what I consider my zipperlips. Enough pressure and folks that know about them now. My .02
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

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"Never be afraid to try something new."

Remember, amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.

[Fishplay]

My philosophy is if you aren't willing to share the whole story then don't share the story at all. I don't have a problem with people wanting to keep and preserve a secret spot in fact I myself have a couple of them. But you won't find me boasting of the excellent fishing I experienced at some unmentionable place. In my opinion that is rude behavior and questionable reporting or storytelling. (also known as lying by ommision). I say tell the fish 'stories' somewhere else and keep this BB for fish reporting. It's poor sportsmanship to gleen information and tips from this site and then limit disclosure in your own contibutions.

Marty,
I heard of an unlucky fellow having an unfortunate problem with a chunk of meat where I work on Friday night. You wouldn't have been vacationing in Oregon at a place called Spirit Mountain would you.

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FISH!........GET IN THE BOAT!!!!!

[smilesforu]

Fishplay
I was up here on the olympic peninsula. waiting for the snow to melt some for safe travel. Should have went fishing instead

[Mikie]

O.K. R.T. I probably have had more fishless day's this year than most, however I have had some excellent day's also. I prefer to go with the positive when it refer's to fishing location's, technique's etc. The place's I usually fish use to have people on every rock , and talk about pressure. Hope jennie does'nt mind the good and the bad, after all she is the Boss. Right . MIKIE.

[RichH]

I've made 8 trips down the crick this year and have managed to catch fish 7 of those trips. As Mikie said above, I would much rather focus on the good than the ba...less good. Everybody is having skunk trips so I personally don't want to hear about those, especially since most of my fishing this year is vicariously through this site.


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Rich H

[Beer Waggin]

I never post my results because I'm just learning and what I do catch I chalk up to dumb luck. All I ever used to do was float the Santiam with a guy that new exactly what to do and most of time he said reel it in and threw me another rod and said let it out or cast it over there. But I do appreciate all of the information this board offers. I have learned so much in the past 4 months, my friends think I'm a genious. I think I probably owe a couple of you guys a trip or two, but I'm not hold'n no pee cup!

[Trout,myster]

I think I have to agree with the majority here, RT. I don't have any issue with posting something general like "fished the Wilson on Sunday and hooked three", but I'm not willing to give up mileposts. If iFishers email me and ask, that's different providing I recognize who it is. Don't care to advertise to the GP (general public).

As for Wheresmybobber's question about deep tackle boxes. Best I've ever come across was a guy that used a 5 gal. bucket that had a lip inside the bucket. He drilled that inner lip with as many holes as he could and hooked his large lures on that. Worked great. Been looking for those kind of buckets for about 5 years now and can't find any. Only store bought one I know of is a Plano. Looks like a 797 but is just deep with alot of bait racks. May contact Plano directly about one or maybe e-bay.

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Troutmyster

[Navigator]

Gee RT. I never catch anything. Can I still post? I feel like the Pilgrim - perhaps I should post in advance. Like, Nav is going to the Wilson - better head for the Nestucca.

Seriously, what I like about posts is techniques and a general river name - not an exact location. And I agree - secrets should be secrets. Zipperlip stories are fine.

I will say this. After Mark (and then you) post the awesome December trip on the Wilson - I chased that report. You did not give the location. You described the water and what the technique was. I headed out to the Wilson. That is a big river. I scouted water based on what you described. I picked a spot. I tried the technique (jig w/ shrimp tail). I experimented (because I forgot a bobber, duh!). I ended up catching one steelhead and lost another. And I was by myself. That was the first steelhead I caught on drift gear - ever! That is what this board is about.

[Fishin Magician]

Steve~ I say post the truth good or bad. Lord knows my winter steelhead year has sucked except those first few weeks in December.... Might never see those days again!!! Also details can be left generic. It took me a long time,many untried ideas and hundreds of river miles to become the accomplished fisherman that I am now. Guys try new things and get out and walk and you will find fish!!!!Good Luck!!!!!!!

[Wet Willie]

I personally like to hear about good days and bad days. I look to this board for (much needed) advise and up to date reports. I don't get the opportunity to fish alot and like to at least know if people are catching fish or not. It's a plus when people share their bait of choice or successful techniques. RT, your great about doing that.

[Steelheadman]

I don't mind giving reports or trying to point out general areas to fish. I think it is better to discuss details via email.