It’s a common perception on this BB that providing specific fishing information (e.g., where, when, and how) will result in a corresponding increase in angling pressure on a specific river. The posts on a recent thread on “Misleading information (lying)” and the large number of “zipperlip” rivers seems to reinforce the prevailing theory. However, I’m not sure how true this really is.

For example, over the past couple weeks, there have been numerous reports about lots of fresh coho being landed on the Kalama River. Willierower posted a tantalizing thread about his recent trip down the Kalama. Several other folks chimed in with similar threads regarding the Kalama. So when I fished the Kalama River last weekend, I was expecting a heavy crowd, if not combat conditions. However, I fished on Sunday morning starting at 7:00am in a hole that holds lots of coho. The fish were there but I was alone. Nobody was there. Nobody. Given the wealth of information on this BB regarding coho on this river, I was quite surprised. And puzzled.

So what’s your point Cohoangler?

My point is that providing specific infor-mation on this BB regarding where what, when, and how may NOT result in a corresponding increase in angling pressure. If you don’t agree, that’s okay. But ask yourself this - How many times have you decided to go fishing on a particular river at a particular time based on the info you get on this BB? Conversely, next time you see hords of anglers on a particular river, take a look at the recent threads on this BB to see if there has been any information to indicate that’s where the fish are biting. My guess is that the correlation between numbers of anglers on a specific river and the information provided on this BB is just about zero.

I’m sure this view is likely to incur the wrath of my fellow anglers and I understand why. It’s probably not going to change anyone’s opinions regarding the amount of specific information they provide regarding the rivers they’re fishing. But if anyone chooses to provide specific information, my view is that it’s not likely to affect angling pressure (positively or negatively).

So, Cohoangler, will YOU be providing specific information on your fishing success in the future on this BB?

My answer: Yes I will. But will anyone else? I’m not holding my breath.......

I'll always share info, and be happy to post it. I figure that if you are fishing when I am not, then go get 'em. None of the places I fish are secret, none of the methods are either. Andy

Cohoangler,
Could not have said it better.

You are in the ballpark but you are making some generalizations too.

Heavily fished rivers that get beat to death on here and in the media are non-issues to me. When I fish these, I go in fully expecting a crowd but will fish them anyways when I know the fish are in. Whether or not they are talked about is a moot point. Sometimes people will be there and, in your example, sometimes they won't.

Where you went off course a little bit is the issue of smaller, lesser known (and fished) streams. It is the mentioning of these rivers that chappes peoples a**es. I've got a handful of these that I learned about through personal dedication, curiosity and lot's of hiking. The only reason they are good is because few people know about them. Now I'm not into giving mis-information (let's just call it lying people!) but I do understand why certain people do in the case of small, intimate streams.

Sadly, I have one stream that has been ruined by the effects of the internet. A few years ago someone couldn't resist doing a brag-fest about how well they did and how much room there was for everyone and how no one was up there etc....Within the day! I had more guys up there fishing in one weekend than I had seen in the previous 5 years combined. It has never been the same. Of course everyone has the right to fish where they want and I don't proclaim to own the river. But I also know that my hard work to get some great fishing was ruined instantaneously by our friend the internet.

It's interesting that there is such a diversity of opinions. However, I agree with cohoangler mostly. The Tuesday after all the hooraw about the Dungeness and its silvers, I visited the river on a trip I'd planned a week or so before (and before Gooose's posting).

I was late getting moving and made it to the river about 8 or so. I drove by the area Gooose had mentioned, expecting to see a flock of cars given the flack on the board. There was one truck. I passed by and headed for an area I like to fish. I saw two anglers during my morning on the river and caught a couple of nice silvers.

Since I wanted a couple more fish for the smoker, I went back the next day, and boy how the pressure had increased! There were two trucks parked by the bridge. Nobody at "my spot" although I later saw four fishermen. The fish had moved, so I headed upstream to the Railroad Bridge park-- the one featured in a big photo in the Peninsula Daily News with a successful fishermen. Walking in, I talked to a guy who complained about all the fishermen. There were a bunch there-- maybe a dozen in one hole and another half dozen in the next hole downstream. I didn't see anybody obviously snagging, but who knows? I headed downstream about 250 yards and had a pool to myself... caught the two fish I wanted, told another guy about the school of fish I was working, and left.

Outside of the those two pools, there weren't many fishermen on the river. Granted that will change come the weekend, but during the week, you could find all the vacant water you wanted.

I don't begrudge the competition on the river, and I don't hold with keeping secrets for the most part. However, I won't talk about my "secret" searun spots because they fish really small and the fish are not hatchery spawners excess to spawning escapement. Will I give away really small spots? Nope. Will I talk about success on rivers like the Dungeness for non-native fish? Yep. Will I talk about techniques? Until you're bored, probably.

That's my $.02.

Here's a historical note: back in the 70s, the Department of Fisheries opened the Dungeness several times for snagging... on surplus humpies. As I recall, the limit was something like six fish. Now that was a zoo! And it was also 30 years ago.

This seems to be a hot topic at the moment. I have read most of the responses concerning the other post as well. Cohoangler--nice job. Eric--I can see your point as well. No one likes their "secret" spots hammered. I have also spent alot of time going the extra mile-climbing cliffs ect to find those great places, but most of them are on rivers that people already know about to a certain degree. I just dont think we have as many streams/creeks ect as you guys up in Washington.

Many of us fish for the relaxation/meditation that it brings. I also fish 8-10 times a month as well--sometimes for the experience and sometimes because I know that I can go put on a clinic and hammer fish all day! Someone asks me if there are fish in a popular X River-sure, go catch them. This BB is not going to influence pressure one bit. I made a comment earlier on the Wind River when it was hot--everybody knows it-no secret. Many of you guys could probably fish circles around me, but I fish circles around alot of people too and me telling them that there are fish there does by no means mean they are going to catch them.

Alot of guys on this board are the 10%ers-you, Ladies and Gentlemen, know what youre doing. You dont want to say-thats great, dont. I am from Oregon and sometimes I like to go fish up North where things are a little different. When I ask for information-"Hey, is now a good time?" "Are the natives showing in X River?", I expect a reasonable answer--like no, or I would try someplace else. I have gotten that so far, but if somebody wants to be an a**hole and send me on a 4 hour drive to be a jerk to a river with no fish because he thinks that river is a secret-get over it-I am just asking for specifics. I understand about keeping secrets and e-mail is often times better, but if a guy is asking about a river anyone can find, what's the problem?

Crayfin

I guess crayfin, unitl you've had your home river ruined you won't know what we're talking about. I don't lie, but I don't post.

Fishhead5

Just curious Cohoangler do you drive a blue bronco? Think I seen you a few weeks ago at that hole, maybe.? The reason people don't flock to the river after the hot spot is announced on the BB IMO is because most of us don't fish THAT often. I don't anyway. Only one day on the weekend and usually not every weekend. And hey, from now on I PROMISE I'LL LET EVERBODY KNOW WHEN I GET FISH AND PROBABLY WHERE SINCE I DON'T KNOW ANY ZIPPERLIP RIVERS. BUT, THAT WON'T BE VERY OFTEN SINCE I ONLY SEEM TO CATCH A FEW FISH A YEAR.

I don't know if a fishing report on this site can influence the traffic on a given river. Maybe it does or maybe it doesn't. We are all speculating since there is no scientific data. But I am going to repeat what I said before on the "Dungeness" thread in case you didn't read it. "People have the right not to share certain or all information but if someone wants to give a fishing report, they should be able to do it without getting harassed".

As a most well chastised source of info on two small rivers I gotta say that if you're considering a post on your success on any river you take a moment to consider the river and fishery. There are rivers small and large that are all essentially hatchery fish fed and are heavily fished by tons of people. River size is not the single determining factor but fish and current fisher density is. If the fish and the crowd are already there then post away. There's a bunch of new fishers out there wanting to learn and this is the best directions we can give them. Teach someone to catch fish...well you all know the rest. But there are still a number of small streams and creeks that deserve reverent silence. I have many of my own that are not at all known. These should be protected for as long as possible....and I intend too. So try to use your best judgement before postin. What do you see now and what do you want to see down the road with the realization that somethings aren't going to change.
Peace to all

Gooose

WE all have rivers or spots on rivers that are special to us for various reasons, some not even related to fishing. I like many others don't talk about those spots. But as I said in the other thread, be honest or say nothing. There are few things as precious as honesty.

WOW!
You guys are posting some very god points. I probably fall somewhere in the middle, just like in "reel life" in between the two extreems.

However, what do you think about this. Oregon has a very different management strategy than Washington regarding Razor clams. How is it that every tide is published, every productive clam bed is mapped, some even "drivable" ,no license required, virtually no enforcement, generous bag limits (even for the 4 year old) and we stil have a resource. It seems to me the "fishery" doesn't stand a chance, yet it's still here. Why? I think all the other factors limiting success. Weather, water conditions, water temp., technique, equipment, ethics, and to a lesser extent determination, just to name a few.

This brings me to my next thought.Of all the "secret honey holes", how many are on private property? Those would automatically be excluded from this conversation. That narrows it down to all the public waters. For future management planning, why don't (or wouldn't) we develope a management strategy that would protect the resource in the "inconceivable" event that the "good info" leaked? Get real. If the estimations of fisherpersons and predictions of future fisherpeople are correct, we will be sharing "our" waters with many, many people.

I wouldn't want to see our fishery overmanaged, but we need a new plan. Times have changed, so should the appoach.

BTW, it seems some of us could use a little exposure to other people to build our interpersonal skills. Grouchy, grumpy people often spend too much time alone.

..."I've got time on my side...yes I do, da da da da...

Thanks everyone for making such good points, for the diversity of views, and a great conversation. Eric, your situation is clearly unfortunate and I didn't mean to suggest we should be providing information on secret spots. I agree that those places are special.

My main message was aimed at those well traveled rivers like the Kalama, NFL, Cowlitz and tribs, Satsop, etc.

KromeBright - I don't drive a blue bronco. I usually drive my wife's little gray Toyota Corolla. She takes the family wagon for the kids......