I have fished the upper Hoko for many years and have been stalked numerous times. Being from seattle just a city boy i would hike through the woods by myself at the crack of dawn. I am only 5ft. 7' 150#,and dont make much noise going through the brush. I like to be on the river before it is light and would get close to the river and go into stealth mode as to not spook any fish. 2 years ago doing this same thing i was at the rivers edge bent down to get my gear in order and about 15ft away I hear a huge splash and commotion it was a cougar that had leaped off a tree limb on to a fish that was milling around in real shallow water. I have never been so scared in my life. I have seeen so many cat tracks on the Hoko, Physt,Sekiu, it is alarming to me that they are so abundant in that area. I now carry a side arm each time I go and I do not do the stealth thing anymore, and am in no hurry to get to the river in the morning.