Little Man's Syndrome

[SR paca]

Hopefully everyone is having a good start to the new year especially the much needed rain at the end of December.  So far I have had the pleasure of taking fish out of 2 new rivers.  3 more new ones and the new years resolution will be in the bag.

I got a chance to go out today and spend an hour or two chasing fish.  After what happened, I don't know if I want to go on a rant, or just ask for some input from others on where the mentality of people fishing for steelhead is going. 

I had been fishing a nice run for a while,  took a couple of fish on the inside seam and was now moving to the seam on the other side of the river.  Sure enough there he was.  Set the hook and he came immediately out of the water, a nice 12-15 pound fish.  I managed to get him through the current to my side before another run and areal.  This went on for about 10 minutes and with subsequent runs he got further below me, with the current and angle he came unbuttoned.  Note to self next time I need to put a little more heat on him. 

I looked up and had an audience......  I went back to fishing the opposite bank.  Low and behold the 3 start down the rocky shelf.  All I can say is wow, this is a big river and I am pretty much the only one on it. 

The 2 younger ones were down first and proceded up to the head of the run.  If that's the way its got to be, at least they went above me. 

Now its about to get interesting.  The third, who I will refer to as Richard (Cranium),  posts up directly across from me and proceeds to cast.     I say 4 words to him, "Are you F....N Kidding me"  He proceeds to tell me he is going to fish this run (not in those exact words), He also invited me to meet him down on the bank.   It amazes me, to see how big someone thinks their cohones are, with two other guys standing next to him. Its been a good 20 years since I've had to deal with the likes of Richard - you know the little man.  But after crossing lines a few times I just decided to move on.

What is it about the mentality these days.......  I'm about to start taking my youngsters on trips with me and I will really have a problem if things like these happen................. just leaves a bad taste.

Hey Richard, I hope by some small miracle you can read or one of your buddies gets this to you.  I don't always fish alone and I would put good money that those balls you think you have........disappear.   

Hope you had fun with sloppy seconds, but then again I'm pretty sure that's your MO.  By the way, take a look below to see what I took out of the hole you passed up...... to become my buddy.

How does everyone else handle these situations.

M.C.

[RB]

I've had this happen to me several times. Its a combination of immaturity and the lack of knowledge. They see you hook something and believe its the only run in the whole river that has fish.  I've had a couple new guys ask me for advice ( I'm still learning too) and like I've read here and in boooks countless times, I say go learn howw to read water. If you can read water you can cover likely spots the fish will be and get away from the crowds and people.  Those that can't follow and stalk those that can and hook fish.  Its a big reason I usually fish with my backpack. I get my fish clean them and chuck them in the bag. Walk out with a big skunk.

[iwant2fish]

As long as we keep preventing Darwin from cleansing the gene pool once in a while, it will continue to happen.

[tedr]

So in this case we want them to hook a 100lb steelhead that will drag them out to sea? 

[SR paca]

In this case they also proceded to fish less than 6 feet from the rock I was next to and not the area where they just saw me hit a fish.  I guess they assumed that all the fish were scared back to my side, to hide behind my feet. 

To give away a trade secret........  when I start fishing a run, I usually work my way through it.  I start with the water closest to me and eventually get to the other side.  Just my 2 cents to get the evolution process in motion.

Sorry to the 99% of curtious fisherman, I'm just on a rant.

Matt

[BigEars]

Good example of someone's kid that wasn't taught respect nor ettiquitte. 

Anyone who reads this post, think about this - on one, just one of your fishing trips, take a youngster or youngettster with you just to show them how we respect nature, other fishermen, the fish, and so on to teach them a thing or two.

For these young fellows it's already too late. They had no respect for others, and it is exaggerated when other young people are involved - showing off! - but there is hope, if we all just teach ONE child/teen/even young adult.

What do you all say?!!?!? 

[SR paca]

They weren't young,  the younger ones I refered to were probably in their early 30s and the older maybe late 30s.

[hooknose]

Some solid looking fish there!  Nicely done.  Don't worry about the pricks - they get what they deserve sooner or later.   For instance, I was fishing coho this fall and a couple of cavemen arrive on the side opposite me (right over the holding water).  This is the snagging spot as you cannot really fish it effectively, they just put on a lot of weight  and drag through the deep slot.  Anyway with no regard for how and where I was fishing they basically block the water off from it being fished.  I move upriver a bit, they proceed to snag a few, and I believe due to my powers of concentration and wishes and the benevolent fish gods, they all broke off one way or another.  The last one, a big chrome coho, they netted the netter dragged it up on the rip rap where the fish thrashed breaking a hole in the net snapping the leader and back to the river it goes!!!   
A little later the guy fell in the river, which was shortly after they watched me land a mid teen chromer on a spoon.
After that day I'm convinced all these chumps will have their comeuppance!

[Fast- eddy]

Hey,I resent the Little man stuff! In height that is............

[RB]

Hey,I resent the Little man stuff! In height that is............

Got your gift for next year

[Fast- eddy]

Hey,I resent the Little man stuff! In height that is............

Got your gift for next year

Ha ha ha.....You are one funny SOB   RB..............Actually, I could probably buy you one of those too!   Little man....... What's in Dan's stocking?

[RB]

Yeah I need a few for sure. My best friends are 6' 5 and 6' 6

[Andrew]

Sorry, I assumed you were done with the hole after 3. 

[wild rivers]

i hate the arse holes that think they can just bomb rite on yer hole, this ain't salmon fishing darnit !!!  i always try to ask if i may come in above a guy that is in the hole . but i often run into ass holes like what you delt with. I try to just walk away and call it what it is , i am not afraid of kicking 3 guys arsses I'm just afraid of the one that has the gun. that is the chicken shiat Lil f****r that is so dang afraid he will shoot. just try to preach some edict it might rub off.

[RB]

Rambo fears no one but his reflection