Mixing drift fishing with float fishing

First Bite · 07-02-2001, 10:38 PM

This is a typical situation that I've seen more often lately. Picture a typical river that can be either drift fished with slinky/corky or effectively fished with a float and bait. If I'm the first person to a drift and there is nobody around, then I'll float fish because that's my preferred method. Now if another guy comes down to the same drift and he wants to drift fish, in most cases it will be alright....most cases. Multiply that by ten and tangled lines will be the norm. Reverse the scenario and if I walk down to the river and everyone is drift fishing, then I'll follow suit or find another drift to float fish. So what do you do in a case like this. Remember I'm not talking about tidewater bobber chinook fishing but typical rivers that can be fished in a variety of ways.
Mark

www.firstcastjigs.com

07-02-2001, 11:08 PM

Hey Mark, no prob when you are with me bud. I just roll down the hill right by them, ask how the bass are hittin, turn around backwards, pull my waders down to my knees, and bend over to untie my boots. By the time I look around I usally have the hole to myself - and if not, then I ... ah, I'll e-mail that tip [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . ...

That's a tough Q. I guess just fish around them as best possible; or as you mentioned, go to another hole. ... You could get some interesting tips on this one. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] - Steve

Snagly · 07-02-2001, 11:24 PM

I had this situation a couple of times last fall in BC. I was the first person in the run in both cases, so I felt I had the right to make suggestions. The first time I basically said to the guy who was floating his jig down through my part of the drift (I was swinging metal) that if he wanted to step in WAY below me (100 yard long run), he could thumb that float to his heart's delight. Instead he walked up to the top of the hole and gave me more space. Second time the role was reversed -- I was using a float/ jig and finished the run and went back to the top behind a slow moving geezer who was drifting a Corkie and pencil lead(I think). I asked him if he minded if I stepped in below him so as to stay out his way, and he said "No problema". I gave him lots of room. (Then he hooked up behind me. Dang!)

In this case, I think it helps if you're first person on a long run and there's room for everyone.

PS On the American River in downtown Sacramento, fishing a float/ jig and 150' of line down the seam gets you some VERY fierce looks even from the usually-passive "swoffers" ("flycaster" in Australian), not to mention the egg soakers and King snaggers.

Tanner · 07-03-2001, 02:16 PM

Easy Solution. Buy a Drift Boat [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

ampersat · 07-03-2001, 02:50 PM

when in rome, do as the romans.

if i'm not the first one to the hole, i'll go with the flow or head somewhere else. if i manage to snag someone up anyway, i'll apologize profusely and scoot further up or down or melt into the underbrush. it's not worth getting into a fight over a fishing hole. i think we all carry some pretty large, rather sharp knives and i'd rather not find out how likely the next guy is to see how his cuts into human flesh.

Fishin Magician · 07-03-2001, 09:09 PM

Good topic Mark!!!! As many times when we have fished together, we just moved on to another hole. If there is room for more people to fish, and if you are polite and ask if they wouldn't mind company sometimes I will share a hole with others. Not very often do I run into people who think they own the river. And in any case I try to fish as they are out of respect for them. I'm waiting for a call or e-mail from you to set up a trip.................... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ~~JB

SandyRiverFisher · 07-04-2001, 08:33 AM

If you run down to a hole and want to float fish while everyone else is drift fishing your probably beter off moving on. If you really want to fish it though just ask first. Ive never had anyone tell me that they didn't want me to fish after I asked.

On the other hand, if your float fishing and some guy elbows in and starts tossing spinners, or corkies right in front of you, then let him! Chances are your using braided line, and he is using 8-10lb monofilament. If the two lines should ever cross, the bobber fisherman always wins!

smilesforu · 07-04-2001, 12:58 PM

I think you have to go with the flow...majority. If you have the ablilty to fish the other method it is best to join in or it causes problems. If you can find youre own spot in the hole where the others will leave you alone your fine, If not and you still want to fish that way....move on. This applies to more than just jig/drift fishing. Side planers, fly fishers also need a certain amount of space. The only special interest organized enough to chase the others away with regulations are the fly fishermen.

santiamflyguy · 07-06-2001, 10:21 PM

This is my first post here so take it for what it's worth. Today I had the privilege of fishing through Fisherman's Bend park on the North Santiam. I was about half way down a run, throwing maybe 100 feet of line, skating a dry, and stepping down every cast. I heard a shout from shore and a fellow asked me kindly "Do you mind if I step in and fish that pocket below you?" Now, normally, the etiquette dictates that you let the flyfisherman finish out his drifts and work down behind him. It was a very fishy piece of water where the riffle went from sun to shade...but in appreciation for his kindness and courtesy, I gladly said sure, fish it [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]. He took some casts at it, and then moved on, convinced there were no fish holding there. I waded down through and didn't get a thing either, but it left me happy and such.

I wish more people would take this attitude. I mean, he could have stepped in and thrown his spinner across my fly line, and there would have been little I could do about it. He would have gotten to fish the water.

Everyone has to realize that our rivers are tens if not hundreds of miles long. I seriously doubt that the -only- fish in the river happens to be exactly where the other guy is fishing. I hate it as much as the next guy when I show up at 5am to someone fishing my favorite drift, but then again, while there may be five or six fish laying in that drift, there are maybe 3,000 or 4,000 others in the river. We're all good enough fishermen to find another one, right?

Smilesforu, I agree that flyfishermen are the only special interest group organized enough to chase others away with regulations. I don't see it as an 'us vs. them' battle; rather, we can all get along if everyone realizes there's plenty of fish in the river for everyone. Like the Santiam, for example, with over 140 steelhead per mile, there's got to be one with your name on it, regardless of the gear you're using.

First Bite · 07-06-2001, 10:41 PM

santiamflyguy
Welcome aboard. Love your attitude. A little bit of courtesy goes a long way when we are sharing our rivers.
Mark

www.firstcastjigs.com