12-30-2012, 01:03 AM
[cool][#0000FF]I used to love to fish Mantua...open water and hard deck. Gave up on the open water because of the power squadron. Gave up on the ice fishing because of the "socialites". Seems like no matter how far I went to get away from everybody, as soon as I put a fish on the ice I had a whole bunch of new best friends. And they were almost belligerent in asserting their right to "help me" in my spot.
One of the "last straws" was a similar incident. I had been doing well a couple of days prior in a deep spot way out in the middle of nowhere. So I went back and picked up where I left off...nice perch and trout fairly regularly. Just as you described a couple of GOB'S...good ol' boys...made a beeline for me from clear across the lake. Before they even got very close one of them started hollering about me taking their spot. I couldn't believe it. Then he pointed at the remnants of the holes I had drilled two days before and started ranting about how those were their holes. Thinking quickly, I reached inside my coat and pulled out my digital camera that I always have hanging on a stretch cord. I held it up and looked at it and said: "Well boys, you are mistaken. I drilled these holes two days ago. And I fish this spot all year...this exact spot...so I guess I got a prior claim on it. But I'll make you a deal. I got the GPS numbers on this spot that I can always come back here. If you can give me the GPS numbers from your files I will move off and let you have this spot."
I doubt those goobers even knew what GPS stood for. They spluttered and ranted a bit more and then I just unloaded on them...telling them it was a big damn lake and the bottom in this area was pretty much the same all over...that it was just a matter of being where the fish were moving through. I said I was willing to bet them $100 a fish that I could move anywhere else within view of them and that I could outfish both of them combined over an hour's measured time. They didn't go for it. And I stayed there for about two more hours. They set up nearby and only caught a half dozen dink perch while I iced several toad perch, a couple of big rainbows and a few stray suspended bluegills. They mumbled back and forth to each other but didn't say another word to me. I was crushed.
As I recall, that WAS my last ice fishing trip there. About 3 years ago.
But, guess what. It happens all over...ice and open water. There are a whole lot of fishermen that know little about sportsmanship...or care about how other folks might feel about them moving in without the proper amenities. Okay to fire off a verbal objection but it will usually only get hostility in return. Those folks don't know how to say "I'm sorry".
Some say that ice fishing is a time for companionship and sharing the ice with everybody else. Okay, that's cool...as long as you know and can tolerate those with whom you are rubbing rod elbows. But there are times when some of us go out looking for a quiet time by ourselves...with the expectation of enjoying the winter wonderland all by our lonesome.
If a guy and his kid shows up asking for assistance in those circumstances, I am done. The trip is no longer about me...but about helping a youngster catch some fish through the ice. I was once that kid and I can still remember the kindness of others who made a point of helping me learn the lessons I think I have learned.
But anymore, when loudmouthed boozed up dimbledorks come stomping up or roaring up on a snow machine...looking to take over my spot...I am liable to make a bid for a spot on the evening news. I guess I have gotten a bit more crotchety in my advanced years. Too bad my rowdy ego keeps writing checks my deteriorated body can't cash.
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One of the "last straws" was a similar incident. I had been doing well a couple of days prior in a deep spot way out in the middle of nowhere. So I went back and picked up where I left off...nice perch and trout fairly regularly. Just as you described a couple of GOB'S...good ol' boys...made a beeline for me from clear across the lake. Before they even got very close one of them started hollering about me taking their spot. I couldn't believe it. Then he pointed at the remnants of the holes I had drilled two days before and started ranting about how those were their holes. Thinking quickly, I reached inside my coat and pulled out my digital camera that I always have hanging on a stretch cord. I held it up and looked at it and said: "Well boys, you are mistaken. I drilled these holes two days ago. And I fish this spot all year...this exact spot...so I guess I got a prior claim on it. But I'll make you a deal. I got the GPS numbers on this spot that I can always come back here. If you can give me the GPS numbers from your files I will move off and let you have this spot."
I doubt those goobers even knew what GPS stood for. They spluttered and ranted a bit more and then I just unloaded on them...telling them it was a big damn lake and the bottom in this area was pretty much the same all over...that it was just a matter of being where the fish were moving through. I said I was willing to bet them $100 a fish that I could move anywhere else within view of them and that I could outfish both of them combined over an hour's measured time. They didn't go for it. And I stayed there for about two more hours. They set up nearby and only caught a half dozen dink perch while I iced several toad perch, a couple of big rainbows and a few stray suspended bluegills. They mumbled back and forth to each other but didn't say another word to me. I was crushed.
As I recall, that WAS my last ice fishing trip there. About 3 years ago.
But, guess what. It happens all over...ice and open water. There are a whole lot of fishermen that know little about sportsmanship...or care about how other folks might feel about them moving in without the proper amenities. Okay to fire off a verbal objection but it will usually only get hostility in return. Those folks don't know how to say "I'm sorry".
Some say that ice fishing is a time for companionship and sharing the ice with everybody else. Okay, that's cool...as long as you know and can tolerate those with whom you are rubbing rod elbows. But there are times when some of us go out looking for a quiet time by ourselves...with the expectation of enjoying the winter wonderland all by our lonesome.
If a guy and his kid shows up asking for assistance in those circumstances, I am done. The trip is no longer about me...but about helping a youngster catch some fish through the ice. I was once that kid and I can still remember the kindness of others who made a point of helping me learn the lessons I think I have learned.
But anymore, when loudmouthed boozed up dimbledorks come stomping up or roaring up on a snow machine...looking to take over my spot...I am liable to make a bid for a spot on the evening news. I guess I have gotten a bit more crotchety in my advanced years. Too bad my rowdy ego keeps writing checks my deteriorated body can't cash.
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