I need a courteous line

[BigCliff]

First, don't fish in places that cars can get that close to.

If you've walked in a ways and are still getting crowded, you could always start coughing and muttering "damn swine flu!" repeatedly.

[kip]

I usually just move on. My son and I were wading the Missouri a couple of weeks ago. It was real weedy but we were (as always) having a blast just being on the river together. We were close to shore and casting out towards a small isle and working some interesting water with streamers, dries, and nymphs trying to get a handle on what would work. My son likens it to "detective work".

A drift boat came down river, back-rowed into the exact water we were working, threw an anchor, lit cigars and started digging through gear in the boat, generally making a ton of racket that displaced any fish that were in the area.

This was the first situation my son had encountered of folks with ZERO peripheral awareness or common courtesy. He wisely followed my lead as I reeled in and stepped out of the water to head to the car. The car was parked above the river and as we geared down all he said was, "That wasn't very nice." We discussed our options, including hailing them with rocks (not seriously, just venting to each other) and moved up river to another spot we had scouted earlier.

Our day continued, we avoided what could have been an ugly confrontation, and had a great afternoon.

That's my call. The more flagrant the action the less likely it is that I will approach someone.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Everyone,

Someone who would pull up their boat or walk up and start fishing next to you is not someone you want to engage in an argument. People are too crazy these days and you may end up in a fight. It is not worth the chance that you may encounter the next serial killer, or at least a bully.
If you have to say anything ask if they are new to fly fishing. If they say yes then you might explain about giving room for others to fish. They may not know any better and would appreciate the advice. If they say no, then just move on and fish another spot.

Fishing a pool in the Eel river in California there was a line of people who took their turn in line and fished through the hole and then got back in line. Each person got a chance of fishing without interference from the other fishers. It worked fine and no one had to be told what to do.

On the same River closer to the mouth there was a line of bait fishers on one bank and a couple fly fisher on the opposite bank. No one interfered with the fly fishers and no one cast into their water. If one of the bait guys got a hook up he would move down stream and the bait guys pulled in and let him pass. Then they went back to fishing. After the guy landed his fish he would go up stream and get at the back of the line. Again there was no one giving directions it was just the way they fished.

Of course this was about 1954 and it seems that people got along better back then.

Frank

[kyflytyer]

You might try telling them something like this:

"Let me know if you guys see any cops because I'm wanted for murder in 3 states. It was justified, though, because these guys were crowding me while I was trying to fish!"

[Hardyreels]

I agree with Frank although I'm sure he meant to say that these people are the ones you 'Don't' want to engage in an argument.

I have had a long tenure as a fly fisher as have many of our members. During the seasons I have met up with about every type of person who has ever picked up a fishing pole. There have always been those who didn't have a clue that I didn't want someone right next to me and always those who really didn't care what my personal preferences were.

I still meet some fine people on the rivers but in keeping with what Frank has said, nowadays the ones I run across that are outright rude seem as though they would be just as happy fighting as I would be fishing. If by chance I encounter this type behavior while I'm on the water I leave.

For those who are familiar with my bi monthly articles that appear in a web publication you can find an article that describes some of the worst behavior that I have witnessed over the past few years. I do not advertise other sites in my posts on the forum but if you would like to be directed to the story PM and I'll link you up.

[Cool Hand Hodge]

One thing to always keep in mind. Sometimes the offender is new to the sport and really doesnt know the rules. I just finished up my first year, and if i stepped over the line i would honestly want to know about it.

[JoJer]

The last situation like this that I had was many years ago. I'd fished a (two acre) local pond with my son. We had it dialed pretty good so the next day, I took my daughter there to give her a shot at some easy put'n'take trout. It's the middle of the week, mid day, we had the place to ourselves and took the side with the longer cast to leave the easy cast for someone else.
This guy shows up with his daughter, sits right next to us, I mean RIGHT next to us. I tell him the spot opposite us is an easier cast and has less weeds. He doesnt take the hint. I was PO'ed but didn't say anything 'til he started casting across my line and snagging me every cast. When I suggested we'd have less problems if he'd move down the bank a bit, he asked if I wanted the "whole damn pond". Then he insinuated that I'd only brought my daughter because I was unlicensed. (takes one to know one?)
I tried to be polite, helpful, nonconfrontational, but I'd had it. I reeled up, set the rods aside and let my 100lb Draath off leash to play. 5 minutes of her walking back and forth in front of him, shaking water etc and he moved. Good ol' Dutchess!

[FrankB2]

Hmmmm.....My regular spots are great, but seldom fished by crowds. If another angler comes along, I usually enjoy the company. The only exception
is Ridley Creek in Media, PA. Its short ff'ing only sections gets a lot of anglers,
but there's a rhythm along the creek that keeps fishing moving along smoothly. We were there this past Sunday, and people were standing 60-70'
apart, but most people stand on one side of the stream and cast to the other.
I've caught trout casting 10 feet downstream* of the next angler (the trout
can often be found in the center of this narrow creek). One side is deep and
inaccessible, so it just works.

*They're standing upstream, and I've cast to within 10 feet of their downstream side.

Speaking of crazy people, there are a lot of drunks, drug addicts, and homeless people that roam freely along a section of the Neshaminy Creek
(Bensalem, PA). I have a CCW permit, and have carried there a couple times,
but I'm not real excited about packing for people. Bears maybe, but the people thing takes away from my enjoyment. 6'2" and 200lbs goes a long way
as a deterent as well .

[blakejd]

Originally Posted by colotrout

Twice today I had some ... fellow fishermen setup camp way too close to me on the river. First, these two guys decide to cast literally 20 yards downstream from me. Now, I realize down is better than up, but still, I didn't ask for friends. An hour later, this guy parks his car off the river, walks the obligatory 20-30 yards to the river bank and starts casting 40-50 yards upstream from me.

Do you guys have an effective yet courteous line that would keep these people from doing this again??

I hate it but I think this is a growing trend on the CO front range. Anyone who fishes places like the dream stream or even worse 11mile canyon knows your going to be fishing close to people. I honestly can't think of a place at 11mile that I haven't showed up to a hole and had someone fish down to my spot to within 75 ft or so and usually down to 50ft. Of course they are quiet about it and get out of the water to move 30-40FT before they get in the water again but I think it is what it is. It could be worse and I'd be stacked up shoulder to shoulder in the PNW fishing for stealhead. This is the main reason I fish other areas off the grid. Someone above mentioned doing a little walking to get away from the crowds and I greatly encourage it. Atleast 60% of the time I fish areas that don't have any other fisherman at all and I may or may not see hikers. I rarely pull out big fish but I have learned numerous spots that I can work for a day that produces lots (more than your typical picky front range streams) of active fish in the smallish region (6-10in) and a couple that go up to bigger sizes of 12+. Considering 10in is probably my most common size on crowded rivers with the occasional big guys I'll take a day of peaceful fishing for a little smaller fish much more often. All it takes is a little research of topo maps, google earth and the willingness to explore.

[Sasha]

I just wear a neon colored clown wig and red nose and carry guns. People steer clear of me on the water (Just kidding……well except the gun part)

Ok in all seriousness I have to agree with what a few people have said. Just go further than most others are willing to go. In all reality people are lazy creatures. I find that even hiking a short distance can make a world of difference. If I have to fish more popular waters…..Well refer to the first paragraph