The reality is that this thread is NOT an etiquette thread – rather, it’s a “those other jerks are ruining my fun” thread.
Thats the way you may have interpreted the thread but the question was legitimate in asking what is proper etiquette with river rafters.
Every single one of us knows that when the weather gets hot, the rubber hatch shows up. So, if that is a problem, why do you continue to go to the location of the rubber hatch? The solution to your problem is: go somewhere else.
Your problem lies in your assumptions. You assume Im flocking were the rubber hatch spawns. Or that Im not willing to share the river with others. Im fully aware the river is a public place if you were able to fully comprehend my post. The were scenarios I posted were individuals that have directly infringed on my right to share the river. So again the question is what is proper etiquette to deal with these scenarios.
So, go somewhere else. Change your own attitude. Expect things to happen on popular waters, and deal with it.
As far as not frequenting high pressure areas
I did go some were else I rarely fish were the masses fish I know the rubber hatch shows up on the LP, and Devil Slide area but the scenario Ive mentioned where I had a group jump in the river literally not even 10 feet from me was on the blue ribbon section in Hoytsville, another time on the green, and lastly I had boaters run over my lines while floating Willard. So according to you everyone should find a new spot ?? LOL
PBH>
complaining about other users of our public resources really doesn’t gain us anything. It certainly does give us a much deserved “snob” stereotype.
Again you fail to understand my post when is asking a question complaining ??? I have to laugh
In your scenarios, what can you do? Really, your options are limited. You can talk to the perpetrators that infringed on your area – but what good is it going to do? Possibly, you’ll create more conflict. Or, you can walk (swim, float, paddle) away to another area. The perps have already done the damage.
Again, if you are fishing areas that have high usage, you should probably expect to have some kind of “conflict” or “company”.
I too have had anglers jump in the river in front (and behind) me while fishing. It sucks. What do you do? You go jump in the truck and head somewhere else.
95% of the time when I run into someone crowding me on a river, it is usually a case of etiquette ignorance. In a few cases, some people “just don’t get it” regardless of what they have been told in the past.
PBH has a few good points..the main being… move to another location. I do not fish the Madison, Beaverhead, or the Big Hole in the summer just because of the volume of people..I’ll fish those rivers in the winter and fish other bodies of water during the summer. Works for me and it works for them. Besides, most anglers come up here and hire a guide or wade/ float on their own. What they do DO is spend their hard earned dollars here..they don’t need me around when I can fish during less busy times.
In some cases, the 50 yard rule is impossible. Case in point, go to the Big Horn. Every single fisherman on that river uses the five (5) yard rule not 50. And, the interesting thing about it is, no one seems to be concerned, they just move in above you or below you and start casting and talking. If you don’t like it, don’t go.
There is A LOT of water around the west that get’s no fishing pressure, you just have to look for it. In the summer, I may see a boat a week on the water I fish.
