Hey Thick,

I mostly flyfish, but also enjoy fishing a float/jig and chucking spinners for variety. I find that most experienced fishermen (using any of these methods)tend to start at the top and work down. The exceptions to this are when (1) fishing below a hatchery (2) having had a "take" in a specific spot in a run or (3) inexperienced or inconsiderate fishermen. People fishing below a hatchery pick their favorite spot and park on it. People who have had a "take" often want to got back and park the same spot to try to catch "their" fish. And the rest either haven't learned about sharing the river or just don't give a f*%*.

The increase in the Inconsiderate group - those that will cut in below you on a run you're already fishing - has been really noticable on the Puget Sound rivers the last couple years. I guess it's partly because of the relative scarcity of steelhead. Everybody wants one on the end of their line and gets a little crazy/desperate when the fish aren't cooperating.

Don't get me wrong - this isn't a flyfisherman's rant about gear fishermen - the fly guys have been some of the worst at this in the last couple years.