Saturday's Test

[Flatfish]

Me fished Saturday. Just as an experiment I decided to wave and smile at pretty much any boat that could see me.

The test pool of boats had to be 100 or more.

Here are the results.

Most (at least 80%)wave and smile back. Some ask " You catch any" either verbally or in sign language. I would answers as best as I could, still smiling, would nod my head or toast my coffee cup and be on with it.

About 10% wave back and scowl. They are probably trying to figure out who I am and why am I waving at them. That's ok by me too.

About 10% would not wave, smile, flip me off... nuthin. 3 of these folks were guides. Too bad for them that they are so worried about catching fish that they are too busy to simply acknowledge my attempt at being kind to total strangers. A few private folks would not wave either. I have no idea as to why not. Their perogative I suppose.

What does this mean? I dunno...

Maybe 80% of the folks out there on Saturday were in a friendly mood? Maybe 10% were grumpy? Next time a guy with a fat lab waves at ya, maybe it is me. Maybe it is another fella in flannel just being friendly.

I did learn one thing though, after talking with 40 folks (conservative estimate), I knew when in the tide the bite had occured and what baits were working. The one fella who had 2 fish will get watched pretty closely next time I see him...maybe he knows something I do not.

See ya next weekend.

Mark and the dog.

[The Overfishin Condition]

Mark- wish I could say 80% waved back to me! I'd say the number was much lower, in fact, I don't know if I got a wave returned all day, and I habitually wave to almost every boat near me. Maybe it's cause we're in a ski boat? Funny thing about the guides- I once fished with a guide who did very well, was very well know, well liked, and well respected on the river we were on, everyone waved to him, it was sorta like fishing with a celebrity guide, but he kindly returned every wave, and got us in to fish, at the same time! Last thing, we waved to a boat while we photographed them fishing springers above I5- they didn't return the wave either [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

[West Linn Wader]

I did notice that there were a heck of a lot more iFishers and iFish stickers than I've ever seen in one place yesterday in the channel. Was nice to see you all and to meet a few of you as well.

GS/WLW

[Riverkeeper]

I imagine some were too awestruck by the dog to manage a return-wave. Maybe 5% at least

[StinkyFish]

Flatfish, I like this test it tells me what kind of people iam spending my time with on the river. I think if the numbers weere much lower then that i would have to move to a happier place, I think the fish like the happier places better as well. Yes I would have waved and talked to ya if going slow enough and probably offered half my lunch to the dog. Good luck to ya and hope to see ya on the river.

Jeff

[Flatfish]

Very good point River. Once some folks realize they are in the same county as The Dog, they get a bit star struck.

Or they are wondering why anyone would fish with a black bear ( if you have ever met The Dog, this comment would make sense. "Costco sized" is a good descriptive).

TOC, maybe your test pool did not get their morning coffee? What kind of boat should not matter( as long as rod holders and a net are visible they should see you as one of them).

WLW, sorry I did not intro myself. Joby seems a bit preoccupied with newboatitis. Next time say "Hi". I will wave back.

Mark and the potentially famous dog.

[fishchaser]

Remember, Saturday was the Fisherman's Sturgeon Derby. People were out there to catch fish and that was it.

You know I quit bowling because too many people were taking the GAME too seriously. Maybe the fishing has become competitive too. Of course here there was no money on the line like bowling had. If this GAME comes to be so serious that people do not want to even wave because they are just soo wound up to wave, than they need to find a new hobby, or game to play.

[Riverkeeper]

I was out there friday and sunday. The weather was great, there were friends at every bend in the river, and the season is just getting started. I could hardly contain my exitement, and I think I was wearing a stupid grin most of the weekend. I pity the people who are there to "catch fish and thats it".

Darian and the Little Black Sled

[Redbull]

Actually Mark,

The Jakers looked a bit leaner, but then again he was wearing black.