I am young, 30 is knocking on my door anyday now, but I've been fishing for salmon/steelhead on W. WA rivers for well over 23 years now. Luckily for me my Dad taught me to fish at a young age. I was taught to use all types of gear mentioned above, so I understand what everyone is saying about etiquette. But, some people need to get real saying that "hogging a hole" is rude before you either ask what hole they're fishing and such. I mostly fished SW WA and Olympic Rivers through my life. I've been on the infamous Blue Creek hole and the Hatchery hole at the Hump. I've seen overcrowding and there are times where you have no choice but to sit in one spot and fish. You quite literally have to pick a productive spot (usually one with good cover and holding water) and stand your ground. I too prefer to work a hole, but in todays world there's alot of people that jump on a river if there's a report (not always true may I add) of hot fishing. I don't like doing it myself, but if you're gonna bank fish sometimes you have to deal with it. Then, don't even try to discuss running a flyrod among gear anglers on a drift. It's impossible. I almost only use mine when I drift a river and can stop or anchor up in an unmolested area. (my favorite river for flyfishing is the Hoh). I guess, there's alot of assholes on the river, and I've dealt with them all. I'd say that most experienced guides who actually put clients into fish will give you the right of way. Most that I know that won't usually are new or are just after the buck and not the "ethics" of the sport. I guess what it comes down to is talking with people (which also in todays world can get you killed) and discuss what's wrong. I was fishing the Wynoochee last year and was working a slot on my Dad's property. I had a guide boat pull in the slot and anchor up right in the MIDDLE of the hole I was currently working. (May I add I'd just landed a steelhead as he drifted into the upper drift). I had just released the fish when I noticed he was drifting towards me and I figured he'd run right through to the lower hole. But, instead I had an anchor line stretch through the slot I was working. I had some choice words with him and he was one of those types that give fisherman bad names. Worse thing is he was acting this way with clients on board. His guide license was obscured on his boat (and no registration #'s either) so I had to have a verbal war with him. I finally had to run back to my Dad's cabin (which is about 100ft away from the hole) and bring my small cat out to the hole. After "rudely" telling him that I was going to anchor in front of his plugs did he pull anchor and drift through. It was stupid on my part, but I've been an eye for an eye guy if talking at first doesn't solve a problem.

I'm so long winded, I'll cut this now before everyone tells me to stop responding, but etiquette in the rivers has become a thing of the past. I know a few fisherman that I see alot on rivers that are courteous and we know each other and say "hi". But, for every 1 of them, there's 20 more who'll come up 4 feet from you and start fishing when there's 100 feet of hole on either side of you. They only come next to you cuz you either had a hit or a fish on. Anymore I prefer to drift then bank anyways. It keeps me away from most people and if I get to crowded I can pull anchor and move away. I hope this helps...........

------------------