driftboat and sleds being curtious

Premo · 01-22-2002, 09:38 AM

Was wondering if driftboaters have more rights on the river than the sleders. I have more than a few times pulled into a hole with no one fishing and caught fish, drop anchor and have some guy in a sled who pulls in behind me yell "pick up your anchor!"and freak out on me. It has been ugly quite a few times almost going to the bank over something stupid. Or if i am seen catching fish in a particular hole a sled with five guys pulls 50 feet in front of my boat and starts fishing. Especially bad during springers.The local guides on the clack are very curtious,not once have they invaded my fihsing space.Lately ive been backtrolling in the slot and a boat will pull down and cast right in front of our lines and free drift through the hole,motor up and do it again.I could write all day about the rudeness. Should I let people get away with this?? I never say much unless they do. surely there are others this happens to.

ian

Artwo · 01-22-2002, 10:44 AM

ian,
This subject is kind of a pet peeve of mine since I to experience allot of rudeness on the rivers as well. I have been a sled owner in the past and now I'm in a driftboat so I feel I can speak from bothe sides. I don't think there are differnt rules for sled vs driftboats on the water maybe with the exseption of floating down through a drift and a sled is coming up, it should wait until there is adequate room. Other than that I stick to four basic rules when I'm on the water:

1) DON'T anchor in the slot/hole, if no one else is around than fine but if people come to fish it you need to pull anchor and fish it out or move off to the side.

2) NEVER, I mean NEVER pull in or fish below someone who is already fishing a hole without asking if it is ok.

3) Slow down when motoring through a drift/hole that others are fishing if possible, sometimes this can't be done due to water level.

4) Always be courtious to your fellow fisherman, the attitude will be returned more times than not. Fish for fun, it's not worth getting all worked up over........life's to short.

Items 1,2, and 3 are by far the most common no-no's (in my opinion) that I see everytime while boat fishing.

If a person has been rude to me on the water I'll let them know about it. I've made courtious remarks to poeple (specially if they appear to be new to the boat/fishing thing), approached poeple at the ramp later and even e-mail a couple guides.......but always been courtious unless it gets nasty then all bets are off and they get what they deserve.

JK

Grass Hopper · 01-24-2002, 07:14 AM

first come first serve, with courtesy and respect of course. First one to raise their voice can F off. You got a sled, fire it up and go somewhere else or just wait your turn.

Roeboat · 01-24-2002, 07:54 AM

Individuals create courtesy.
I've gone down a big river in my sled with bankies tossing lead as close as possible to my boat so as to let me know sleds are not welcome near them. I kinda laugh, because that wasn't my intent anyway and they are just wasting their fishing time trying to show off how far they can cast.
I've seen driftboats anchor in main seams and just put out plugs(I've been known to do that when there aren't people around, but not on a crowded weedend) thus denying the other 20 boondoggers a proper drift.
I've seen sleds just blow driftboaters out of their anchoring spots with a big blast of the jet and many more antics.
In the end it all comes down to the individuals. I will however share the worst sledder incident I ever witnessed. Off the gravel bar on the Cowlitz in its' hey day with 80-100 anglers fishing a sledder dropped anchor right in front of all of us, then after some heckling, pointed his finger upward and screamed obscenities at the 80-100 bank anglers. He couldn't get his anchor up fast enough as his boat was literally barraged instantly with a steady stream of big lead. All you could hear was Tink, Tink, Tink, bonk of lead and the sound of breaking lines as leaders snapped on his gunwales. It was a funny sight with the guy diving for cover as he tried to get his anchor up. He's very lucky he didn't get seriously hurt.
People just need to have courtesy and use common sense on the rivers.

Fishing freak · 01-24-2002, 09:03 AM

This is not a slam on bankies ( fished form bank most of my life). Courtesy needs to be heeded when boaters come by. I have not and never will park my DB in a hole were bankies are fishing. Unfortunately some dumb***** refuse to let you float through there hole without lobbing lead your way ( not fishing just trying to get downstream). Have had people in my boat want me to pull over and go kick some ***. Luckily cooler heads prevailed.

Grass Hopper · 01-24-2002, 09:12 AM

Respect, Respect, Respect, thats what it takes in the end.
As effective as boondogin is you need to remember it takes you back to the bottom of the food chain.
According to the Coast Guard Rules of the Road. General Right of Way Provisions; Your are responsible for your wake. Every vessel overtaking another vessel must keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel is burdened; and the overtaking vessel is privileged.
The rules state specifically that once a vessel is in an overtaking status, she remains so for the remainder of the encounter.
RIGHT OF WAY RANKING:
1) Vessels Not Under Command(N.U.C.)(Including at anchor)
2) Vessels Restricted in Ability to Maneuver(R.A.M.)(Including Drift Boats)
3) Vessels Engaged in Fishing
4) Sailing Vessel
5) Power Driven Vessel(Including Boondoggers sorry boys!)
Each type of vessel must yeild right of way to the vessel lested higher, and will be privileged with RESPECT to those lower on the list.
Only one exception to the rule.
A vessel engaged in fishing must not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway. So you cannot anchor in dangerous spots or compromise river travel safety.
HOWEVER: If you are fishing the Mouth of the Lewis for springers you decide to anchor at the back of the cut; I DONT KNOW YOU! I DIDNT SAY THIS! AND YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR BACK! Those locals love to troll.
RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT
FISH ON!
GOOD LUCK!

Dr Strangelove · 01-24-2002, 09:19 AM

I take lead missiles thrown at me in the same regard as Palestinians throwing rocks at Israelis. Someone's gonna get hurt and I will respond in an escalated manner if I or anyone in my boat ever got hurt from a self righteous bankie. Don't ever bring a stone to a potential gunfight. Remember an armed society is a polite society, and both us Oregonians and Washingtonians have the right to carry concealed weapons. Keep it civil and don't provoke. We all will live longer and more peaceful lives this way. Doc.

Nuttinbutnet · 01-24-2002, 09:45 AM

We went from driftboat vs. sled to gunfights with Bankies? I have both driftboat and sled. I have noticed that as the number of boats have gone up(drastically over the years) courtesy has gone in the opposite direction. It seems that alot of fishermen out there believe that they are entitled to fish a river any way they want regardless of what the majority of the other people are doing. As this problem escalates into actual confrontations, we, as fishermen, run the risk of being regulated even more. Just think how much less problems there would be with a NO ANCHOR rule on say the Clackamas. Fish a hole and move on or row or power back and do it again.
I use the Clack as an example because of the high traffic level this river gets due to it close proximity to the metro area. As far as concealed weapons on the river is concerned, if you feel a need to have one, best you stay home!!!!!

Bigdog · 01-24-2002, 09:47 AM

I agree with Ian, if I drop anchor for whatever reason I assume I lose my spot, but if someone pulls in back of me and yells at me to pick up my anchor then chances are we might have to take it ot the bank.

Dr Strangelove · 01-24-2002, 09:59 AM

Allow me to say I usually don't carry, but I have the right to and simply to remind everone that you don't know if the guy you're throwing your sinker at is armed, drunk, or just looking for an excuse. Its not worth it. Kinda like flipping people off on the road. Just stupid. Doc.

cosmo · 01-24-2002, 10:47 AM

As one who props the pick regularly on the Clackamas a No Anchor rule would be tough to deal with. And I also think that you should be able to fish any way you like, so long as you don't ace someone else out. The Clackamas has been a horrible place this year. I've been blown off anchor, had draggers throw over my lines when backtrolling, had sleds blow by me in the tight corner at Grant's Park and all kinds of messes. I think the rule should be that the first boat there sets the rule.
1. If a boat is backtrolling, you can do whatever you want above him but never pull in below. Wait him out if you need to.
2. If a boat is dragging bait, either get in rotation, go somewhere else, or pull over and wait him out (draggers have short attention spans)
3. If a boat is anchored, the river above and below is fair game, but draggers please stop you drift above the anchored boat--it is no fun to ride your wakes when you come alongside and power upstream.
4. If a boat catches one or two, leave 'em alone. Its incredible how many times guys have pressured in like it is the only spot on the river that is holding fish. If the guy is having a good day, respect that and help him keep it that way.
This subject is the most important one on this board. So many new anglers come here that it can really make an impression and keep rivers amicable and enjoyable for all. The main thing is to slow down, take your time, and enjoy the fishing. Wait for a hole every now and then instead of forcing in. Drop off plane every now and then. It's not a race.
Whew!
Been holding on to that for a while.

Seefood Man · 01-24-2002, 01:13 PM

The Clackamas is a beautiful river------
on a weekday!

CATCH AND EAT · 01-24-2002, 01:56 PM

As a sledder I have only one request of both sledders and Driftboats. Don't anchor in one stinking spot for 2 or 3 hours. Have seen this many weekends in some of the drifts and it is just not right folks. :depressed: Share the river.

I have been in the Clack and found both sledders and drifters anchored. So I move on to other holes to fish. Come back an hour or so later and there they are. Must be brain dead. You catch fish by covering water right? Sledders have no excuse to anchor up. we have motors to move back and forth, up and down, sideways, on the gravel bars, ect....Drift boaters, pick up and move after fishing in the hole. Use your stick a little if you are one of these folks. Those drift boats with motors, you know better. Anchor if you have a fish on! Complete the drift if you don't. :smile:

crabbait · 01-24-2002, 03:42 PM

I have noticed that the rules seem to change depending on which body of water you are fishing. For instance, when bobber fishing the Wilson tidewater, it is common for several boats to tie up together stem to stern and throw bobbers. Lines are crossed constantly and no one seems to get upset when the rare tangle happens. On the Alsea, if you anchor within hollerin distance of another boat you are liable to get hollered at!

I do protest the practice of anchoring a big sled in the best tidewater hole and leaving it there tended at night by a hired yokel who exits in the morning when the guide and his dudes show up in the drift boat!