06-13-2012, 11:48 PM
I have to say I am grateful for those fisherman who keep it civil and remember that in the end people are more important than fish. If you are one of those people, thank you. Especially if you are the one being encroached upon and you keep your head.
This past spring while fly fishing for steelhead I had my patience put to the test. I would like to think I was the bigger man in the end, but I still find it hard to not be a bit frustrated when I think about it.
I had taken a good friend up near challis to chase steelhead. It was his first time. We got to the first place we intended to fish before it was even light out. There was a trailer parked near the water and we could tell someone was awake. A moment later they came out with headlamps on and headed to the water so we moved on to fish different water.
The third day of our trip I really wanted my friend to get into some consistent action so we got up extra early to get to that same spot. We arrived while the moon was still in the air, put our headlamps on and headed down to the water and waded out just a bit. We began rigging our poles up while standing there in the water. Not but three minutes later one of the gentlemen (using the term loosely) walked down to the river and with a brief "morning" stepped directly in front of me and began casting. I was astounded.
I asked him if he really intended to fish directly in front of me. He began reciting all the reasons why he deserved to do it, after which I simply told him it was very rude. He did not look at me the whole time. I even mentioned that he had had the chance to fish this particular spot for multiple days already (he ignored that). After doggedly fishing next to him, and chatting with him a bit I decided we would find friendlier waters. The feelings just weren't worth it and are actually opposite to the reasons I fish.
With that kind of fishing (steelhead) I expect to have less personal space, but not that small. I really think it all goes back to the basic golden rules: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Sorry so long!
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This past spring while fly fishing for steelhead I had my patience put to the test. I would like to think I was the bigger man in the end, but I still find it hard to not be a bit frustrated when I think about it.
I had taken a good friend up near challis to chase steelhead. It was his first time. We got to the first place we intended to fish before it was even light out. There was a trailer parked near the water and we could tell someone was awake. A moment later they came out with headlamps on and headed to the water so we moved on to fish different water.
The third day of our trip I really wanted my friend to get into some consistent action so we got up extra early to get to that same spot. We arrived while the moon was still in the air, put our headlamps on and headed down to the water and waded out just a bit. We began rigging our poles up while standing there in the water. Not but three minutes later one of the gentlemen (using the term loosely) walked down to the river and with a brief "morning" stepped directly in front of me and began casting. I was astounded.
I asked him if he really intended to fish directly in front of me. He began reciting all the reasons why he deserved to do it, after which I simply told him it was very rude. He did not look at me the whole time. I even mentioned that he had had the chance to fish this particular spot for multiple days already (he ignored that). After doggedly fishing next to him, and chatting with him a bit I decided we would find friendlier waters. The feelings just weren't worth it and are actually opposite to the reasons I fish.
With that kind of fishing (steelhead) I expect to have less personal space, but not that small. I really think it all goes back to the basic golden rules: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Sorry so long!
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