Since when do have to carry a bat or a gun to go fishing?
I can't believe some people. Lately I have been hearing more and more incidents of some fools who gets pissed off because some one crossed his line or is fishing too close to their part of the river. This is supposed to be a sport, fun and to enjoy nature and to learn about the fish and its habitat not a brawl session. It seems that now when I go fishing I need to bring a bat to just be avle to fish. I consider my self very considerate of others , I never fish too close or invade some one elses space just because theirs fish over there. We also need to help others who are new to the sport with out cursing them for a mistake. Come on people if you need food that bad go get a job or go to the market, the most enjoying part of fishing is to get away from half the crap in society and to relax, if you catch something then its a better treat. Just enjoy the sport with out the anger.

Aerofly, While I agree it is way too intense on the river banks, it is very discouraging when I am working an obvious piece of river and some guy comes down and starts extending his drift above you down into the area you are working. This happened to me a couple of times this year and with work and family I don't get alot of quality fishing time so one of the times I blew up and the day was ruined. I blame the inconcidderate guys more than the short tempered guys. Too bad there has to be either one.><>

It seems that the norm is to talk about bad experiences with other anglers. Last weekend I had a completely different (and surprising) experience.
I took my girlfriend to a very popular river this time of year. I warned her about the fact that most of the people there were "good ol' boys" that could be pretty cross. She is not used to fishing in a crowd, so I wanted her to be prepared.
As we foated down the river, we were overwhelmed by the complete opposite. Evey boat or bank angler we went by was very friendly. People were saying hi, and joking around.
I have fished this river for many years, and must say that this was very surprising. At the take out, everyone was joking around and having a good time.
Now, the weather was great. The fishing was slow, but had been very good during the week, so spirits were high. But it made for a much more enjoyable day to feel like we were among friends rather than in a combat zone.

--Hooknose

Hooknose, the majority of the days are great like the one you spoke of. I guess we just wish they all could be.<><

Hooknose,

That might have more to do with how pretty your girlfriend is than the collective personality of the bank fishermen.

John

One of the reasons I sold my drift boat was because of increasingly bad experiences on the rivers I was fishing. I do ninety percent of my fishing from the bank now, and aftersome exploring and research I have found several rivers that have produced some outstanding fishing and I rarely encounter many other anglers. The few I do encounter are there for the same reasons I am, and are generally quite freindly. I'm not saying that this is the answer for everyone, but my enjoyment has increased dramatically and I really do enjoy the solitude I am exeriencing. These are far from "secret" rivers, I am just fishing areas that are a little more difficult to get to. If you are continually frustrated by the crowds , try doing a little exploring on your own. It has resulted in some great fishing and some very peaceful outings for me.

Just got home from fishing the Cowlitz all day. At around ten AM I was backtrolling a plug and a driftboat was anchored in the exact center of the slot below Blue creek. No big deal, I thought, I will just go out around him. I pulled over to go around him and just when my plug was about fifty or seventy-five feet past him he heaves his drift gear upriver across my line. Now it did not manage to get tied up with my plug (I don't know how) but he would not have cared. About an hour later he hot holed me twice in a row. I made up my mind that if he did manage to get tied up with me, I would just pull up the kicker, start the pump and motor down river w/ his gear. I am confident that my braid would have won that fight. It did not happen. The cast-across did tweak me for a bit. I guess there are obvious consequences for not demanding manners and civility in our day to day lives. Had it happened AFTER I realized that I had once again been skunked perhaps I would have made a comment............Fishing is not nearly as relaxing with an empty punchcard........better day tomorrow........

Good point Mac, if you fish popular drifts you are probably going to get pissed at people, deal with it. I catch less fish now because I don't fish when there is a parking lot full of trailers, but I enjoy my time alot more.

Right on Chuck! If I have to fight to fish, what is the sense in going? I fish for relaxation, catching is a bonus. If it comes down to fighting to catch fish or just fishing and relaxing with a less chance to catch, I will take the relaxing. Good luck gentlemen

Doubletake