Personal Space on the River...

[somethingsfishy]

Just read a wired to fish article on respect of other anglers space while fishing and began to think that much of this could apply off the lake and in the streams as well.. I, and im sure a majority of members fish east tribs and as we all know, theres not much room to do anything much of the time.. I'm just wondering what you guys and girls think in terms of personal space out there... For example if you see a hot pool can you resist the urge to go to it and try to find fish yourself? Do you ask if those fishing mind if you join them? I understand no one owns part or the river, the fish, or anything in between, but there is a point where common courtesy must come into play and realize that you may need to work a little harder, and find some fish elsewhere.. Does anyone agree or am I just bein ignorant of the limited space in some tribs?

 

[wlatyn]

I believe that everyone has different notions of space, etiquette etc. and that is what causes problems. Some fishermen get to a spot and think it is theirs for the whole day - no matter what. Someone else might think that a hot spot should be shared; the piscatorial wealth spread among all anglers. Some fisherfolk think 2m away constitutes "personal space" while others don't want anyone within eyesight. It's no different than real life...you have your touchy, feely, huggy, close talkers, and then you have your germaphobe types who don't even want to shake your hand. Streamside, these differences can lead to dissension.
Personally, I feel I'm pretty tolerant of others fishing around me. If I'm into fish and someone wants to fish beside me and they ask politely, I don't mind sharing ( provided of course, they can execute the casting dance somewhat proficiently). I guess I'm one of those guys who doesn't have a problem with everyone being successful ( as long as they are fishing ethically).
I generally try fish away from others; on crowded tribs, however, this is not always possible. If I have to approach an area that is being fished by someone else, I try to gauge the length of a reasonable drift and position myself upstream or downstream accordingly.

 

[classic drifter]

I believe that everyone has different notions of space, etiquette etc. and that is what causes problems. Some fishermen get to a spot and think it is theirs for the whole day - no matter what. Someone else might think that a hot spot should be shared; the piscatorial wealth spread among all anglers. Some fisherfolk think 2m away constitutes "personal space" while others don't want anyone within eyesight. It's no different than real life...you have your touchy, feely, huggy, close talkers, and then you have your germaphobe types who don't even want to shake your hand. Streamside, these differences can lead to dissension.
Personally, I feel I'm pretty tolerant of others fishing around me. If I'm into fish and someone wants to fish beside me and they ask politely, I don't mind sharing ( provided of course, they can execute the casting dance somewhat proficiently). I guess I'm one of those guys who doesn't have a problem with everyone being successful ( as long as they are fishing ethically).
I generally try fish away from others; on crowded tribs, however, this is not always possible. If I have to approach an area that is being fished by someone else, I try to gauge the length of a reasonable drift and position myself upstream or downstream accordingly.

yup same here, if someone was there before me, i have to go down or up depending on the situation, and more importantly, i follow his rythm so in that case we wont tangle or i would cause him to be uncomfortable, but needless to say there are alot more deucebags on the water than the REAL fishermen that has respect for other anglers, like one day me and an old man was fishing a pool, then a group of teens popped out of nowhere and began to do it their way, needless to say i got annoyed for a bit but after 30 mins of nothing they decided to take a hike, it was annoying but the most i could do is wish those kids have a little more decency when i come across them next time, just sharing my story and opinion on this topic,

 

[Porkpie]

In Ontario you really can't expect much room. There are too many fishermen per acre. In some areas of the states, guys get downright pissed if you try to fish on top of them, then again, there are plenty of places there that fish the same as here, standing room only!

 

[steelhead101]

i don't mind some one fishing close but when it gets to the point where they are down stream of you and casting 20 feet in front of you it gets ridiculous but there is only a certain type of person that does that anyways.

 

[classic drifter]

In Ontario you really can't expect much room. There are too many fishermen per acre. In some areas of the states, guys get downright pissed if you try to fish on top of them, then again, there are plenty of places there that fish the same as here, standing room only!

i don't mind some one fishing close but when it gets to the point where they are down stream of you and casting 20 feet in front of you it gets ridiculous but there is only a certain type of person that does that anyways.

i certainly agree to the both of you, points have been taken, and they were very true!

 

[Shmogley]

sometimes ill stand and watch guys drift a few times and try to strike a simple convo about how things are going. without being too talkative or annoying. cuz we all like our peace when we fish right?
if they seem friendly enough ill ask if they mind me fishing nearby.. if not i just move along.
now if theres a wide open spot between 2 guys ill just take it but im mainly speaking of when its shoulder to shoulder.. sometimes you cant escape it without wasting precious time.

end of the day though. try not to be that guy who crosses lines and gives zero loves
because;
a-you look like an nether orifice
b- just wasting time. not only your time but everyone else around you. nobody is that special

sticking to this ive made lots of friends at several spots that i see many times a year now, and talk to on a friend basis
and havent pissed anyone off too much(unless i was trying )

 

[mcfly]

If it's shoulder to shoulder type combat fishing I just make sure I know the guy (or girl) to my left and to my right. We take turns, and I wait for them to reel in before I cast. Person down the river casts first then the order goes up. Space between us depends on space available, if we can hold down the top of the river so be it.

As for who's right of way it is, I'd say it's first come first serve. If you don't know the people fishing there and want to get in on the action it is a MUST to talk to them and ask them if it is ok. It is NOT ok to just slip into a group and start casting without talking first. Very rude.

As for pier spots and other shore spots, it's also first come first serve, if the fisherman is tying a knot or having a drink of coffee, as long as they are within a few feet of the spot, it's still theirs. Please do not just step in and start casting (unless they are your friend). I saw some fights almost start on some dangerous piers last week because of disrespectful old guys trying to steal the young people's spots. A reasonable distance to fish from a stranger is at least a rod length or more. No one needs hooks in the face while some idiot is casting. Got a super long rod? Then take more room between the next fishermen.

When I'm with a group and we yell at other fishermen "HEY! There's no room here, don't cast!" we are not trying to bully you. It's a simple fact that we were there first and we all need room to fish so we don't get snagged on each other.

BIGGEST RULE of fishing amongst other people is, when somebody yells "Fish on!" please reel up your line if you are in any way preventing the fishermen from fighting the fish or landing it. On a trib usually that means everybody on the side the fish is being fought. I've seen plenty of fish lost because some idiot is drifting their rig right into somebody's catch.

But generally, you can always go somewhere else and fish if you are bothered by people. I tend to stay away from confrontation as I am there to have fun and enjoy fishing. If I wanted to fight or have problems then I would have stayed home in my own neighbourhood.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

i dont mind if someone shares the pool with me but as long as their being courteous im fine, i hate it when someone comes 2 feet next to me and starts drifting past me. I almost got into a fight with a kid my age (i coulda taken him lol :mrgreen because he came up next to me on the pier, made me loose a fish and almost fall into the water. If some obnoxious guy comes up next to me, i would ask them for space and if not i would just walk away cuz in the end its better then getting physical. If you see a busy pool, its best to just skip it and find another spot

 

[Kit]

I've never experienced fishing like that. Honestly does not sound fun. And never want to do it.

 

[miles]

ask? polite? When its busy on the rivers I fish no one ever asks if they slide in next to you. maybe a hello, but on busy days if you have a decent spot guys will get right up next to you without a word. Not to mention no one ever says fish on. God help you if you cross a line on interfere with someone fighting a fish lol

I can be way to much of a nice guy on the water :lol: Always letting people get a good drift in and waiting to cast. I always feel so awkward making people wait while I finish a drift. I remember a day when I was newer to steelheading, me and a two really seasoned anglers where perched way up on a rock wall upstream on the geen. The water was very high and the only fishable run was only about 5 feet wide, 20 feet long and 10 feet deep. The run and current where such a way it was hard to get a good drift it. The guys gave me crap for or waiting and ending my drift to soon :lol: We all had a good time trying to hit a fish in some tough conditions that afternoon.

I used to see them on the river a lot, a great couple guys with lots of patience for people less experienced than them. Haven t seen them in a year or two I hope I run into them again.

 

[rich_ace_G]

It's all about personal space when it comes to fishing...until you try fishing popular spots during opener. That thing doesn't exist. All you really need is a good polarized sunglasses and a bit of walking. there are pools (even 3ft ones) that holds fish. Trust me once you hook a fish, expect anglers to pop right beside you in a few seconds...

 

[shane.a]

i think if u donot like lots of anglers find new water or deal with it???????? ay someone has fish on no lines in water

 

[Kasim Baluch]

I think its a bit hard. My pops is an older guy closer to his 70s and his fishing 'etiquette' is a little different than the opinions I've read and I mean that fine, everyones entitled to their own opinion but at the same time I have had to stand up to a guy once who was yelling at him he was fishing 'too close' while I was simply watching him. Its gotten pretty bad sometimes, he has no bad intentions but its his way of fishing and he enjoys it so obviously if its a group of teens trying to stir poo up then have at it, but I strongly believe theres times where you can 'share' a space on the river, as long as there are no bad intentions.

tricky situation but hopefully I explained it decently

 

[Captain Barty]

Common sense and respect for fellow anglers goes a long way into solving the problem that arises in this topic. Too bad a lot of anglers have neither now a days...

 

[MarksHooked]

I've been reading a lot on this forum about opening day, and how busy it gets. It sure is daunting as a newer angler who is certainly more comfortable with no one in sight to watch me make mistakes lol. It all sounds very overwhelming, I think I'll go find a popular river somewhere and just WATCH the opener this year lol, learn the do's and dont's firsthand! I read that there are over 168,000 KM of rivers and streams in Ontario, I think I'd rather catch less fish in a secluded spot than fish a hot 'pool' shoulder to shoulder with people.

 

[Kasim Baluch]

Common sense and respect for fellow anglers goes a long way into solving the problem that arises in this topic. Too bad a lot of anglers have neither now a days...

Agreed (Bump Bump)

 

[xxxSIBxxx]

I've been reading a lot on this forum about opening day, and how busy it gets. It sure is daunting as a newer angler who is certainly more comfortable with no one in sight to watch me make mistakes lol. It all sounds very overwhelming, I think I'll go find a popular river somewhere and just WATCH the opener this year lol, learn the do's and dont's firsthand! I read that there are over 168,000 KM of rivers and streams in Ontario, I think I'd rather catch less fish in a secluded spot than fish a hot 'pool' shoulder to shoulder with people.

I never fish shoulder to shoulder or fish pools if someone is already there I'll find my own, there's fish all over the place on opener so don't just watch people get out there and fish but if you want some privacy go up river a fair bit and go for a nice long walk and I'm sure you'll find something.

 

[Dozer]

Someone mentioned that it depends on how busy it is which I think has a lot to do with it. If its super busy then there isn't much that can be done however if you're the only ones and a group slides up into your spot and attempts to squeeze you out then that crosses the line. Last fall we were fishing a large system and some random dude came up within 5 feet of me and started casting. It threw me off guard and took me by surprise... I thought he was an older mentally sick dude for the longest time until I realized I got pushed out of my spot... this guy was professional :lol:

 

[FisherGirl]

Lucky for me, guys are either super nice and willing to let me nudge in or, they are too shocked to see pink on the bank that they stay away....muhahaha.