Is it ignorance, or not caring?

[xd2005]

I wouldn't put it past ignorance. I'm sure there are a number of people like me that didn't grow up hunting or doing that type of fishing. From my perspective, "getting in" to these sports can be difficult. Not only do you have to learn the skills but also the etiquette. Finding good teachers/mentors is not always easy and it's sometimes difficult to know if you are learning true etiquette or not from that person.

With that said, if I had been that person and someone came to me and let me know what I was doing, I would express my ignorance, apologize profusely, and make them go back to their spot while I moved along. I'm sure there are others just like me that probably don't even realize what they are doing and until they are told will continue to not know.

[pianoman9701]

I think sometimes they don't care, but sometimes are just ignorant of common courtesies that the rest of us take for granted.

I agree with FC that you talk with them about it. If they truly don't know, they'll move away. If they're a$$hats, then you just have to accept that's what they are and move on yourself. It doesn't make for the fun that you expect when you leave 1st thing in the morning.

[BigGoonTuna]

people just don't give a *censored* anymore..   it is in all aspects of life not just fishing.

when i started out, you pulled something like that and you'd hear about it from the other guy.  you don't hear much on-river etiquette talks any more...you're more likely to hear the drunk dipstick who just made a cast over your line ranting at you for getting in his way!

everyone packs into spots like sardines any more, not just the old terminal zones like blue creek(which interestingly enough, has had many places surpass it in the crowded clusterf*ck category, like the skokomish and mouth of the toutle, yet it's still the standard for comparison).

river restrictions being tightened, access being lost, and the internet making reports available for any slob to glean information from(face it, the guys chasing reports tend to be the kind that stumble into your spot at daybreak toting a case of busch lite, ask you what river it is, and then starts casting of your gear and trying to snag fish) have all led to the "i got mine, screw you" mentality.

[Skillet]

We had a guy tailpiping us real bad when we were fishing for Lings a couple of weeks ago.  There were no other boats on our rock, but as soon as we got he net out he was right on top of us.  I"m usually pretty good about keeping that kind of thing in perspective, so when we moved to another place after a bit and let him have the rock, I figured no sweat.  Not 2 minutes after we kill the motor, there he is, dropping in just down current from us in our new hole.  50 feet away, tops.  I couldn't help it this time and said pretty loud-

"Hey, big F-ing ocean, ain't it?!?"

[Ripper]

People suck! Plain and simple, wether it be ignorance or not. Last time I was out sturgeon fishing in Port Susan, where there is litterally 5 square miles to fish, these two guys pull up and drop anchor right on top of my bait. I yelled hey you're on top my gear. They grumbled something and pulled up, moved about 25 feet and dropped anchor again, then cast over my line towards me. I reeled in and recast putting it right beside their boat and promptly hooked an oversize fish. I couldn't have scripted it better. A little later they motored right behind my boat, over our gear and anchored on the other side of me, between me and another boat that had just caught a fish. They never did catch anything, but between myself and the other boat out there we hooked 4 fish. Clueless or a__holes? Doesn't matter, they suck!

[BOWHUNTER45]

good job ripper !!

[FC]

I reeled in and recast putting it right beside their boat and promptly hooked an oversize fish. I couldn't have scripted it better.

A little bit of poetic justice there  nicely done!

[Bullkllr]

Rudeness AND ignorance.

I believe the proliferation of terminal fisheries has spawned a generation of new "fishermen" who honestly think that's the way it's supposed to be. All they know is Blue Creek, or the Skok, etc. And if it's fine there, they why not anywhere else?

Really, its a big problem; I don't see it changing anytime soon. Some of these guys need to "start over" with an ethics manual and no reliance on terminal hatchery areas to depend on.

[sakoshooter]

It's not just the rivers. Lakes can be good places to meet jerks also. I have to admit though that I do not know how you guys can fish that close together and still say you're having fun. I prefer a quality trip to a quantity trip any day. I always let the jerk know he's  jerk also. They need to be told. It might not help you at the time but it might help the next situation.

[longknife]

If the people have fished in the same area before you, and they know its good fishin' why be an a$$hat yourself, and yell at others on the water??

I understand the river thing, but there are PLENTY rocks for lings, and open areas for sturgeon in the warm beach area! I understand you were the first one there, but thats what makes a day of fishing fun, to out fish the others on the water.

If your first to arrive, that should be your area, but its a sport, dont claim it! It has been claimed by others in the past, that let you in.
That river thats close(wont say any names) theres only a couple "hot spots", and boats stack in like crazy! Its moving, and catching to show them up, thats the prize! Adapt and overcome the situation.

Dont get me wrong, i will fish the SAMMISH for ch#@$t sake. Everyone wants the same thing, bite your lip, and out fish them.
 

[Ripper]

I wasn't claiming that spot as my own, there were 3 boats fishing the area. They just anchored right on top my gear. With so much area there is no reason to crowd. You shouldn't be in casting distance of each other unless you're on a river hog lining. When on a lake or out in Port Susan, show some courtesy and spread out, don't run over other peoples gear. I've been fishing out there with up to a dozen other boats all in the same area. Most all were respectful with each other and gave each other space. We chat back and forth, joke and swap whats working. Then there is always someone that pulls up right in the hole where everyone is fishing and causes hate and discontent. That's who I'm talking about.

[longknife]

Yes, understandable!
Have had other boats in the river within 4' of my boat, and anchor. Everyone is out to have a good day, and have fun catching fish. We all love the sport, just no reason for yelling at eachother on the water.

Im just saying if you are a new guy/gal, and dont know, the one yelling is the a$$hat to them. Its nothing that can be taught by screaming at someone for their first couple times out. I think asking is a huge part to newbies! If they would ask, or be respectfull, i would give a spot up, just to see the expressoin on their face when they hook up. Never met one yet!

I used to get pissed off, and yell, but now, i just shake my head, and move on.

[chongo469]

Longknife, Yes we all love the sport,but for those that need to learn respect and not crowding someone, I feel the need to teach them....I am not talking about the "Ditch" or places like reiter.....I am more talking about when you have 100-200 yrds between you and the next guy and some *censored* has to come climb in your pocket....Or when you have been in a spot for an hour and some guy who woke up late has to push his way in between you and your buddy who were only 15 ft apart to begin with.....I just start preaching the gospel to them and tell them the the rapture is upon them.....How GOD will punish them for spending so much money on expensive gear when they could have shopped at Walmart and put the rest of there money in the collection plate......No I am not religious at all, but it normally chases them out pretty fast....

[buckhorn2]

Was up the chelais and the only boat we were fishing blue slew when and idian gillnetter came up the river and went over to the bank and tied his net and layed his net all the way around our boat and went in the cabin. We had a hard time getting our anchor out from under the net. There used to be lots of sturgeon and sturgeon fisherman now just nets and hardley any sturgeon.

[longknife]

I am all for edjucating, but when you start yelling, and swearing and a couple little heads pop up, its just not rite!

i think we all are better than that...