Steelhead fishing etiquette question.

[riverdog]

I agree is certainly wasn't polite to touch someone else's gear. But is it polite to leave your gear in position so someone else will have a hard time fishing should they want to fish? I wouldn't do either ever. I think the key in all these situations is to communicate. Those eating could have said do you need us to move our gear out of your way. The group approaching should have asked if you mind us fishing this hole. Again I personally I'm going to skip the hole even if I waited days to fish it and this was the first time it was open at the end of the day. I voluntarily gave up a hole after a couple hours of hooking into a several dozens 15-20 lb bright silvers last summer because someone else came along. Miles of empty river to fish but I had the prime spot below the falls stacked up with fish. I figured someone else should get a chance to enjoy such an outstanding fishing experience. It's fishing. I'm not going to flaunt a gun, fight or yell at someone over it.
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