How can we educate Kayakers that if they see a fisherman it is common courtesy to go to the other side of the river, and not just Kayak right down the lane of the fisherman.
I fish, I kayak, I raft, I tube, I canoe - will never SUP, F*ck that noise.
Sharing the river means interacting with others. Sometimes that is not the “perfect” way for either party. Yes, if at all possible kayakers should not disturb a fisherman and keep a distance. Fisherman sitting at a play spot or the only navigable river channel should expect to be disturbed. Don’t know the details or your interactions but everyone should be giving a little and respecting other users.
How can we educate fishers that if they see a kayaker it is common courtesy to go to the other side of the river, and not just fish right down the lane of the kayaker.
I fish. I paddle kayaks. I paddle canoes. I row rafts. I even do a little grabbing crabs and spearfishing. Some anglers prefer kayaks to go far to the other side from where they are standing, but some anglers are FISHING the opposite side, and they want you to hug the bank near them. I always like to ask if anything's on the bite as I approach and ask WHERE they want me to go. If possible, I oblige.
I can't count the times that after we've gone by, an angler gets FISH ON. Surely when Steelhead are running, they move and hold, move and hold. They bite when they're on the move. If a kayak goes over where a chromie is holding, it often will move it out of the eddy, and then angler gets a bite.
Years ago there was an angler fishing in one of the very few play spots on a local river. Our group had stopped there for lunch. There was plenty of room to fish the eddy and the seam -- not just on the play feature. I had an angler try to hit me with his lure -- bounced it off my deck. What an f-tard.
I fish. I paddle kayaks. I paddle canoes. I row rafts. I even do a little grabbing crabs and spearfishing. Some anglers prefer kayaks to go far to the other side from where they are standing, but some anglers are FISHING the opposite side, and they want you to hug the bank near them. I always like to ask if anything's on the bite as I approach and ask WHERE they want me to go. If possible, I oblige.
I can't count the times that after we've gone by, an angler gets FISH ON. Surely when Steelhead are running, they move and hold, move and hold. They bite when they're on the move. If a kayak goes over where a chromie is holding, it often will move it out of the eddy, and then angler gets a bite.
Years ago there was an angler fishing in one of the very few play spots on a local river. Our group had stopped there for lunch. There was plenty of room to fish the eddy and the seam -- not just on the play feature. I had an angler try to hit me with his lure -- bounced it off my deck. What an f-tard.
I don't fish, but I try to stay on the far side of the river. Make eye contact and a friendly wave. If they want you to come under their rod, it's on them to say so...but should be an easy ask if you've established eye contact and are moving toward the opposite shore to show your intention.
It's a shared resource. The guy fishing a play spot and expecting to remain undisturbed, and the guy who paddles directly over the lure in an open channel are both arseholes.
I fish and I boat. If I'm playing a fish or casting to one as boaters approach, I either pull my line out and wait, or if I'm right into something I'll engage them and ask them to hold up a second.
They can't read your mind. They don't know where the fish are, nor do they see the river the way you do.
You have to engage them and help them to understand.
Fly fishermen need to understand river etiquette...play spots need to be shared. Boats coming from upstream have the right of way.
Last year, I had to do a wet exit because 8 rafters kept bumping into me as I tried to roll up for a 3rd time. I swam with my paddle into a fisherman to keep from going over a low head dam...this was serious survival mode. I was screamed at by the fisherman. He did not get it.
You get assholes in every sport, but in my experience a higher percentage of road bikers and fishermen think "sharing" means everyone else should yield to them.
This is not meant to be a comment aimed at the OP. When going by a fisherman, I think it's common sense to try and avoid the area they are fishing if possible.
If someone is fishing a play spot, on the other hand, they should expect to need to share with boaters.
As a cyclist who competed at the elite level most of my 30 yr career, I can say share the road. I am also heavily involved with the national racing scene as an motorcycle official and photographer. Being hit by a motorist who thinks otherwise suck while lying on teh road thinking your dying, and costs the motorist legal bills, and possible jail time. Personal experience.
Try running Blackarby rapid on the Mickey Mouse section of the SFCW sometime when the water bumps up in March for an early season run.
A dozen steelheaders crossing lines from both banks, fishing through the meat and tail of a rapid with one line. You in an eddy 50 yards upstream trying to get them to notice you, let alone give a shit. It's a gauntlet with 6/0 hooks on 30# test.
From CDOT: https://www.codot.gov/programs/bike...ed-manual/2008-10-official-bicycling-laws.pdf
(6) (a) Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file;
except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the
following circumstances:
(i) When riding two abreast will not impede the normal and
reasonable movement of traffic; or
(ii) When riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the
exclusive use of bicycles.
(b) Persons riding two abreast shall ride within a single lane.
As a Fly fisherman I don't mind when kayaks or tubers come through as long as they don't lollygag. The fish are use to seeing this and will settle down in short order. What does bother me is when people fishing on rafts come through and slow down or back roll to fish where I'm fishing. Yes it happen way more than it should.
Well,
I hate it when I am running the shuttle on my bike and some feller with a 16' rig on a 12' wide trailer complete with straps a flapping, comes within 6 inches of sending me to my maker. However, I just give them a thumbs up, albeit somewhat sarcastically, knowing Ill most likely see them on the river. I recon we have to share the rivers as well as the roads, and the trails. And, don't forget, we can also "Share The Women, We Can Share The Wine" -Jerry Garcia
I've always been surprised at how fishermen feel like it's just perfectly fine to stroll right through the middle of my camp on their way to / from the water... although it does generally remind me I haven't played fetch with the dogs lately.
We all have to try to avoid each other, respect space, share the river, etc.
That being said, if you are fishing in the only reasonably navigable channel or standing out in the main current like a jackass chances are you will find yourself thinking that there are a lot of jerks out today.
The common denominator in all three interactions between you and the kayakers is you.
Most fishermen I have come across on the river are pretty nice but I totally understand that the kayaks should try to avoid the fishermen, once a fishermen passive aggressively cast his line right next to me because I got to close and that was enough for me to realize to go to the other side if possible
I don't really understand why this is so difficult. I see fisherman all the time and never have a conflict. Try to make eye contact with them asap. No need to speak, usually they don't want to talk. Go as far out of the way of their line as possible without getting into shallows where you bang off rocks. Smile. That is generally all it takes.
When it comes to talking about fishermen on a whitewater forum, the road bikers I prefer (whether on a windy narrow canyon rd or not) would be two breasts.
It has been my experience that most kayakers like two breasts and other peoples beer so when fishing have your girlfriend sit accross the river with some visible beer cans in order to divert the traffic out of the fishing lane.
It has been my experience that most kayakers like two breasts and other peoples beer so when fishing have your girlfriend sit accross the river with some visible beer cans in order to divert the traffic out of the fishing lane.
I'm in a raft. I give them space but don't try to get to the other side of the river. I avoid putting my oars in so that I don't spook the fish. Should I be doing more? I figure floating over the top isn't going to cause much harm.
Fuck em! I have zero respect.
Anybody thats pestering animals that they dont plan to eat can stay the hell out of my way. They might as well be hunting with a paintball gun.
There are many valid points here that are contradictory. Hunting with a paintball gun doesn't seem right to me but I bet it's really fun. The one thing I can't wrap my head around is how did the raft sneak up and run you over. Have you almost been hit on your bike by a steamroller?
I don't know this particular situation, but rafts are not as slow as you might think. When the whole rafts paddles together, they are faster than most whitewater kayakers, unless they are trying to go fast. 2nd, it's pretty easy to get caught in a feature and have a raft run you over.
Kayakers/Rafters and fish have a great ally in fishermen/fisher-women. Their clubs like Trout Unlimited are constantly involved with working to improve river access, clean water issues, minimum flows and fighting to stop unnecessary dams. What is good for the fish is good for kayaking or rafting "usually". They spend their time and money on river and fish habitat preservation. I for one do not mind passing by quietly and as far as is reasonable out of their way. I have never had one not respect my privacy, space, peace and quiet, so I try and do the same.
Wow, you should research the Spokane Whitewater Park and how Trout Unlimited shut it down. And why? Then look at where the park was going. And what a red banded trout is. What Trout Unlimited says natural red banded trout spawning habitat looks like. Because all i saw was busted up concrete, re-bar, garbage, and bums. Still that way today. Super sad loss for Spokane as community if you ask me. The truth is Trout Unlimited wants kayakers off the water in the PNW. Just saying....
I have had fisherman linger, while I twas trying to fornicate zby the side of the great stream....
Other than that, I have no qualms, just as long as they don’t try to kick me off the run, or keep The flows down to a trickle, I’m happy to share the river, and hopefully have an ally in conservation.
P.s.
Still got laid, in spite of that orvis wearing fuck....
There is plenty of places to fish with no boating activity. When I fish boaty areas I accept there is going to be interaction of different people enjoying the river... it's trout fishing and who really cares... I mean how many trout have you caught in your life? Like a million? I cannot and will not take trout fishing seriously as it would ruin the fun for me.
The only problems I've ever had were floating through the Wilder property on the Middle Taylor. Those fishermen are just plain assholes. I've never seen anyone spew vulgarities and make physical threats on a river like that. They truly believe they are entitled to a private experience because they paid big bucks. A few years ago they even installed vertical angle irons under a bridge on their property. According to them it was to discourage boaters, but it appeared to be an attempt to seriously injure or even kill someone....
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Buzz
639.4K posts
63.2K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to whitewater kayaking, boating, and rafting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, routes, gear, models, styles, gear swaps, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!