Creating a fishing utopia

mike5097 · 01-15-2002, 09:33 AM

After the Hook/Corkie/Hook post, I am kind of nervous about posting this, but
I have noticed a sudden explosion of people bank fishing for steelhead. I mainly fish the Sandy and the North Santiam. This is directed more towards the Sandy.
While many of these people have taken the time to educate themselves on technique, it seems like when they get out to the river they are clueless about how they contribute to the other guy’s fishing experience. I’m sure there are plenty of differing opinions on this………here it goes……….

It is not cool to:
Bring an overly friendly, curious, hungry dog to a crowded fishing spot.
Throw your cig butts in the river.
Bury your cig butts in the sand.
Leave your old line, bait containers, and tackle trash lying around.
Bring your boombox.
It’s cool to let you kids tag along, but not cool to let them have a boulder throwing contest around other people trying to fish.
High stick someone so they can’t fish.
Crowd someone out when they catch a fish.
Make fun of a novice fisherman. He may just look like a rookie to fool you into leaving him alone!
Just because you brought a net doesn’t mean you become everybody’s net man. ASK FIRST!
If it’s crowded, don’t cast out of turn.
Think everybody enjoys your loud, ribald sense of humor.
Don’t spread your gear out, fish 20 feet away from it, and when somebody starts fishing in front of it, yell “THAT'S MY SPOT!!”. You don’t own the whole river bank.
Drift fish when everyone else is plunking.
Plunk when everyone else is drifting.
Give unwanted advice.
Be inconsiderate and take up three parking spots with your F-350 Super duty.
Be rude and think you own the hole just because you are the first one there. It’ s gonna be crowded sooner than later with people who don’t care. Live with it.

There are probably many more things that can be added to this, good and bad.
Anyone care to?

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hawgcatcher · 01-15-2002, 09:48 AM

Mike, good points. You covered my problems with other bankies. You must fish the same rivers. I get a kick about the cigarettes. I have on two occasions seen lines get snapped by someone flicking a lit cigarette over the water. One resulted in a fight when a guy with a fish on had his line snap when the cig. hit the line. If it had been a good day maybe it wouldn't have but it was one of those that you were lucky if you got one on.

Bob Barthlow · 01-15-2002, 09:55 AM

Mike, all I'll say is I agree ,you hit the nail on the head.Hope I didn't offend any nails.

Roeboat · 01-15-2002, 10:10 AM

Good job Mike. Sounds like you've covered a lot of the biggies.

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 01-15-2002, 10:34 AM

Can't whole-heartedly agree. :tongue:

bring your boombox, but leave your rap music in Tacoma

bring your kids, but leave crying kids at home, and leave boulder throwers in the womb.

don't f'n litter

how f'n hard is that to comprehend? I see you litter and walk away from it, I got your number. You put it a lot nicer than me. :smile:

Leave your dog at home.

Don't shoulder in closer than the length of your rod. If this is a problem for everyone, just wake up earlier, DUH.

dogfishboy · 01-15-2002, 02:35 PM

I know exactly where you are coming from Mike. I too fish the Sandy and have been both frustrated and excited to see folks getting out there in their variety of outfits, gear, and state of minds. I look inward to find that utopia you refer to…especially on weekends. A smile,(OK, I'm smiling while I'm swearing at you and know you can't here me or don't care what i'm saying)and the realization that soon I WILL have MY :grin: river back helps me get through these times. Sometimes the regulars can be as annoying as the newcomers (see last part of second paragraph). I’ve found that the quality of the experience is what I choose to make it. Sometimes it’s hard, even impossible, and I use this opportunity to explore new water or just sit down and enjoy the entertainment all around me. I’m NOT going to let others dictate my experience…regardless of their actions. At least this is the mindset I start with

.

Having said that, the next idiot that fails to lubricate their squeaky, rusty reel (I thought it was a new bird species) or uses loud, distracting tackle (sounded like a small RC helicopter out of control every time he cast) will FORCE me to clip their line :shocked: . Just kidding about the tackle thing JL. :tongue:

dfb

mike5097 · 01-15-2002, 02:59 PM

Hey, don't get me wrong, I'll be out there rain or shine, crowds or not!
Being slightly stove-up, I can't always get away from crowds, but try to work around them. :depressed:
When it's crowded, that's the time I use to find
a new spot, or watch some ridiculous behavior, or hone my steelhead stealth.
Some of the most satisfying catches I ever made were in non-obvious places alot of people wouldn't think of trying or just didn't/couldn't see.
It wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't a challenge anyways.
I know that many more people lurk than post, and maybe this thread might clue them in.

dogfishboy · 01-15-2002, 03:59 PM

Hey Mike, that was my intent too, I was just targeting a difference audience. Here's wishing you great success :grin: :grin:

Maybe Ifish should be required reading before you could purchase a fishing licence. :grin: :grin: :grin:

Those of us who operate a boat had to "get licensed"... why not fisher folk?

especially those northerners :shocked: :grin: Just joking folks... lets not get our drawers in an uproar...again.

mike5097 · 01-15-2002, 05:07 PM

SSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

fishpatrol · 01-15-2002, 05:23 PM

Good points.
I would also add that the river ***** stay home as well.

You know the guy, he yells "fish coming down" when it's not even his fish.
He wants you to move when he casts over your line. He tells you that the green and flame orange corkie with a 12' leader is the only way you'll catch anything (because thats what he has).
He makes sure the entire bank knows about his latest hot day on another river.

I keep a special tool just for them!

BigSpinner · 01-15-2002, 06:00 PM

I like fishing alone, but if I am fishing with some(real)fishermen thats really cool the day goes smooth and its fun. But if you are fishing with some of these guys, it is so bad I will leave. They think they can do anything. What I want to see more of is younger people out fishing. Everyone stay safe out there.

Jeremy,

blacktail · 01-15-2002, 07:25 PM

Good post. Last weekend on the Sandy, I watched a guy's dog approach, bark and harrass two other fishermen. That is not cool. If the dog can't be on a leash and quiet, it shouldn't be out there.

Same spot on the Sandy about 4 years ago, I walked by a guy fishing and his dog ran up and nipped me in the side of my leg through my neoprenes. Didn't really hurt me, but it really ticked me off.

However, my biggest pet peeve are the slobs that leave their garbage all over the river banks, trails leading to the rivers and the parking areas. Shoot, I feel bad when I'm tying up a new rig and I accidentally drop a small tuft of yarn in the water while trimming my newly tied rig.

The worst river dumping ground I have seen was on the Lower Clack two years ago at the Bowling Alley drift during the Silver run. What a mess. It made me furious that other "fisherpeople" could have such disregard for the river.

Mike

dogfishboy · 01-15-2002, 09:42 PM

Ya know Blacktail, I couldn't agree with you more. I can overlook other actions and ignorance but this trash thing just ****** me off

Experiencing the outdoors is one of my primary reasons for being out there and having to wade through and look at trash from fisher folk just burns my ass... and it's pretty scorched these days. :shocked: Not knowing the " rules of the road" in regards to fishing etiquette is understandable perhaps, but disregard for the environment we all use is inexcusable. Boaters and bankies need to just pack it out or don't bother returning. Hey Mike5097, this is one area that taxes my inner utopia. Breath David breath... OK, need to go to my happy place now................ AAhhhhhh that's better.

David

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wiser · 01-16-2002, 04:54 AM

RC Helicopter???? I was just getting everyone ready for the real thing. There will be a helicopter out ovet Artwos drift on Wednesday AM and three of them on Thursday. Possibly a couple more Friday and Saturday. If you see an FBI helicopter and Portland Police helicopter over the Sandy The next several days it's not because of an accident or search. Hollywood is here.

Seefood Man · 01-16-2002, 05:38 AM

About the trash comment, When I was fishing the NF Lewis back in 94-95, I was sooo sick of the trash that I asked the hatchery for two 55 gallon barrels. I put handles on them and bought liners too. I placed them across river from the hatchery
where most of the trash was generated. During the runs I would go and get the trash, and haul it out 2 to 3 times a week. What made me really PO’d was when I would go there and sometimes the barrels would not be full, however, some LAZY SOB would leave dirty diapers right next to the trash can. I mean right next to it. Kinda like saying,,,,,heres my crap,,,,, now pick this up too!!! When people saw me come there to get the trash they thought I worked for the hatchery. I told them I was doing this cause “LOOK AT THIS PLACE!” I can only remember one person, one time lending me a hand while I was there, and there was a rock full of people. I always wondered what their houses look liked.
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“It’s not that the world is full of idiots, It’s just that lightning is poorly directed”
Mark Twain

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Smj · 01-16-2002, 07:21 AM

Mike, I need to add something! I fished the pipeline hole a week ago and the behavior of these so called "sportsmen" discusted me to the point of leaving after a couple of hours,(got a fish early). Here's my beef, when fishing in a crowded situation you DO NOT have as much water to fish as if you were there ALL ALONE! DO NOT long line (fish in front of 12 people below you). If you want to fish that water get there earlier. I will still fish there, but I will not be so nice about crowding and long lining. I will do my best to make these people as uncomfortable as they make me.
PHHEEWW, I feel better now! Thanx for bringing up this subject. I just hope the morons that do this stuff can get the message.

Smj

dogfishboy · 01-16-2002, 02:15 PM

OH GREAT! doughboys on the bank and in the air... when does the insanity stop. :depressed: :shocked:
The wind can be bad enough, now rotor wash too!

Mommy, make the bad men go away.
Think I'm running low on that "inner utopia" crap. OH screw'em ...I goin' Thursday. See ya in the AM Wiser?.

:grin:

Ranger · 01-16-2002, 04:39 PM

DFB'
Just stay away from Buck & Gordon Creek areas tomorrow unless you want the real choppper effect.
Still getting a few fish in "the drift". If you get bored or things are to quiet I can allways bring out the buzzer.

dogfishboy · 01-16-2002, 05:12 PM

...like the plague.

Ya know ya might need clearance from PDX tower to use that thing with all the air traffic in the vacinity :grin: Audio guys might hunt ya down too. :grin: :shocked:

Thanks for the report Ranger

Think I'll do some prelight glow fishin' again.

dfb

dogfishboy · 01-16-2002, 05:38 PM

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