>Well here is my what would you do. I got a little bent on Sunday on the
>river and I want to know if I have the right to be. I walked into IRS since
>there was no one there when I drove up but by the time that I got there a
>pontoon boat had come in. Fair enough if I get beat to a run I get beat.
>The guy was sitting just down below the riffle so I went way up high to give
>him plenty of room and started fishing. I worked down and he worked down.
>He got to the bottom of the run and started to walk back up so thought OK I
>will make my pass now. To my surprise he jumped back in the run below me in
>the riffle. I follow the idea that I don't own the run if I was there
>first. I work my way down the run and then when done I wait my turn to take
>another pass. This guy seemed to think that he owned the run. Am I wrong
>here. I decided that I have enough stress in my life so I didn't confront
>him and went on down river.
>
>Tight lines
>JJ
It's a real problem and the reason steelheading isn't like it was. I've had
gearbangers step in below me and always forgave their ignorance. When
flyfishers do it, it's really aggravating and, I believe, unforgiveable.
In your case, there might have been a problem of perception in that he
didn't know your intentions.
When you stepped in above him in water that wouldn't hold fish (I don't
know this), he could have figured you didn't know what you were doing. (I
have been below a flyfisher and stepped out ready to wait for him to move
down and he never did. He wanted the high riffle for whatever reason). If
you had walked down near him at the prime time water and sat where you
really wanted to start, maybe he would have known you were going to follow
him through. Then step in, probably a little closer that you would want -
just be more methodical and let him move away from you downstream. If he
gets out and walks back up and steps in below you, you can point out how
you waited for him to fish through, as he surely must have seen.
I've also walked up to people who are in the hole, and asked if they minded
if I fish through behind them. Then they know.
In the end, I like to fish because the only hassle I want is to be at the
end of my line.
Leland.
