Combat fishing etiquette?

[jens]

I've been anxiously wanting to try and fish for salmon, the chum, but after reading some reactions to inexperienced fisherman, I am hesitating to take my son, and go try and fish for something else. I am teaching my son "trial and error." How else are we supposed to learn if we can't even try w/o worrying about someone or many getting angry at amateurs. So, if an experienced river angler wouldn't mind telling me the basics.......thank you.

[Mike Carey]

good question. On the one hand, having an inexperienced angler in shoulder to shoulder fishing can be a big problem. On the other, it is exciting for the young ones to see fish being caught left and right, although it isn't exactly getting back to nature, LOL.

How old is your son? How are his casting skills? If he can cast straight and learn the sequence as he watches it should be fine. But if he starts casting without regard to what the line is doing that could be trouble. Guys are generally cool but not when everyone starts getting tangled up.

Sometimes you can g to some of the combat zones and fish the edges and not be in the thick of things. There are some good spots north of hoodsport for example that have shore fishing without the craziness of the hatchery area. That could be a good start and give him a shot at a chum without being in the middle of a crowd.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

My solution to combat fishing:

Don't go there.

Or go during the weekday when the crowd is thinner.

[shawn]

Here is one at minter creek there is a rope with bouys on it it is basicaly a dead zone off limits.Don't cast there.Be carefull of some people they don't watch where they are casting and just might hook ya.If in doubt just watch what most of the people are doing then fake it until you make it.

[jens]

good question. On the one hand, having an inexperienced angler in shoulder to shoulder fishing can be a big problem. On the other, it is exciting for the young ones to see fish being caught left and right, although it isn't exactly getting back to nature, LOL.

How old is your son? How are his casting skills? If he can cast straight and learn the sequence as he watches it should be fine. But if he starts casting without regard to what the line is doing that could be trouble. Guys are generally cool but not when everyone starts getting tangled up.

Sometimes you can g to some of the combat zones and fish the edges and not be in the thick of things. There are some good spots north of hoodsport for example that have shore fishing without the craziness of the hatchery area. That could be a good start and give him a shot at a chum without being in the middle of a crowd.

Thank you for advice. Even some of my casting skills get caught up. The masses aren't worth having someone getting upset at improper casting and our inexperience. He just turned 12, but I plan on getting him and myself next year to be more prepared. I have heard some awful combat stories and at this time, we will just practice in my back yard. LOL- which is a small private lake!

[jens]

My solution to combat fishing:

Don't go there.

Or go during the weekday when the crowd is thinner.

Combat fishing reminds of golf as well...I only will play during the week or early early morning- but thanks Shad.

[curado]

i have fish in elbow to elbow the best way to have your son hook up on a dog is to check the place out look for the mass of people and go down river or up river. even if there is a bunch of people still give it a try find the fish where the crowds are not. also if you would mind spending extra on gas drive to monroe and fish the skykomish i could probably put you and you son on some fish. pm me if you want to try this

[jens]

Hey thanks for the offer! I will send you a pm-

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

That is good information shared. My neighbor is wanting to get me out salmon fishing which I have never been and hearing all the stories about combat fishing it makes me a tad nervous even thinking out getting out there and giving it a try.

[jens]

That is good information shared. My neighbor is wanting to get me out salmon fishing which I have never been and hearing all the stories about combat fishing it makes me a tad nervous even thinking out getting out there and giving it a try.

Yeah me too- I don't do well with crowds. I say next year we should get some beginners together and all go together??

[Rich McVey]

Yeah me too- I don't do well with crowds. I say next year we should get some beginners together and all go together??

Im in!

[jens]

ok! let's see who else is afraid to go alone and start from there!! Or maybe also, an angler w/experience in combat could go with us as well??

[Reel_Nut]

Depending on the battle ground, I'd love to come and help educate.
i think that one of the most common mistakes when fishing on the river is making sure that you say "fish on" and dont point your pole toward the fish. ALet the pole do the work its intended to do. The other think is watch how far everyone is casting that your standing next to........ longliners usually have the biggest challenge and the most newbe looks.

[jens]

I had no idea about all of this, and just learning some of these tips will assure me of or any amateur that wants to go, saving them from making anyone upset..We all have the same goal in mind of cathing, but doing it in the most common courtesy manner...Ok Reel, let's see how many we can get to go- thinking in lines of next years run, unless the chum are still thick, maybe sooner??

[racfish]

First of all ,the first thing is "nobody owns a river or a spot to fish".The thing I hate is when some Bozo says That this is my spot.The river is always first come first serve.Second is go with someone to help lock up your spot ifin you get there early enough.If you take your kid fishing for the sport and enjoy it then do it.Being kind and courteous is a two way thing.If taking a kid or even if you dont have alot of experience then try a quieter part of the river to learn techniques before mixing it up with the crowds.I stay away from snaggers and what I call the Eddie Baur crowd .Those are folks who know nothing of being respectfull to others.Usually they are the ultra rich.Hehehe.
Learn to fish the river on the off season then go back and knock them dead.Enjoyment is rule number 1.I doubt I'd take my kid to the Skok or the Samish on a first outing.

[jens]

First of all ,the first thing is "nobody owns a river or a spot to fish".The thing I hate is when some Bozo says That this is my spot.The river is always first come first serve.Second is go with someone to help lock up your spot ifin you get there early enough.If you take your kid fishing for the sport and enjoy it then do it.Being kind and courteous is a two way thing.If taking a kid or even if you dont have alot of experience then try a quieter part of the river to learn techniques before mixing it up with the crowds.I stay away from snaggers and what I call the Eddie Baur crowd .Those are folks who know nothing of being respectfull to others.Usually they are the ultra rich.Hehehe.
Learn to fish the river on the off season then go back and knock them dead.Enjoyment is rule number 1.I doubt I'd take my kid to the Skok or the Samish on a first outing.

That is exactly why I want to go, is to enjoy....I feel semi-confident in my casting and being courteous, but I can see my boy casting over everyone's line- oops. So, it'd be my responsibility to take him to a less crowded spot and hopefully get on the hook..Thank you for the advice!

[GoingtoFish]

Does anyone remember the combat fishing on the Snoqualmie below the power house for summer run steelies? That was crazy! Shoulder to shoulder next to you, an 8ft deep x 12ft wide x 20ft long hole of churning water a foot in front of you and crazy rapids with jagged rocks right behind you. One slip or push by an angry angler and you’re gone. One of the most dangerous places I have ever fished and definitely not a place for children.
But once you had been there a few times and learned how to fish it, the regulars would treat you as one of them. It was a good hole when you were allowed to fish it. I limited every time. Due to the danger factor it has been closed off. I don’t think anyone has fished it for more than 12 years.

Fishin the Sky for dog's is a great place to get into the swing of things when combat fishing. There is a lot of room to spread out. And most of the folks there are nice and will be understanding when fishing the hot spots with newbie’s.
Definitely try the Sky with your son. I take my son as often as I can. Even though he has yet to hook into a chum he still has a great time and enjoys watching them jump. His casting still needs work and he will sometimes get tangled up with another angler. I just keep an eye on him and watch his every cast. As soon as I see that it is headin the wrong direction I jump in and help him out to avoid the inevitable tangle.
Another thing I suggest is to put yourself between him and the other fishermen. That way if he is going to get tangled up with someone it is with you. Stay off to the side of the croud and keep him further away until his casting capabilities get better.

I call my son the humpy slayer. The last couple Pink salmon runs he slayed them. That is how I got him hook on river fishing for salmon. Next year is going to be another big humpy year. So if you can't get your son out there this year (or don’t feel comfortable yet) then wait for the pinks. Don't worry about the crowds during this time. Most of them only fish when the run is in and allot of them are new to fishing or can’t get that casting thing down.
Fishing for pinks is one of the best teaching opportunities on the river. There are no “Hot” holes. The whole river is hot. Just throw a Pink spoon, white jig, or even a bobber with sand shrimp. Just about anywhere on the river will produce fish. This will provide a lot of practice and fun.

Tight Lines and have fun!

[islandbass]

ok! let's see who else is afraid to go alone and start from there!! Or maybe also, an angler w/experience in combat could go with us as well??

It's not that bad, and I finally went out and did it and I was greener than a dollar bill. I watched for a bit to see how it was done, and I was polite and said things like, "Mind if I jump in (into a spot)?"

Combat fishing can bring the worst out of people and I can tell you that people can get territorial for sure but don't let that stop you or let anyone bully you. If you feel the need to answer back, do so by hooking into a fish and landing it. Actions speak louder than words so much so that they'll probably leave.

It does help to be proficient with casting for your sake because it equates to more time fishing vs untangling.

Also, getting tangled with other lines is bound to happen and usually unintentionally. Just do your part to get you and them untangled and continue fishing.

I am no expert for sure, and have tried river fishing for 3 seasons mostly on the green and a couple times on the Puyallup.

The chums ought to be getting to Metzlers on the green by now. That is a great place to learn. It is where I did.

Lastly, I am not an expert. Just sharing what I've learned so far. Bottom line, being polite goes a long way and getting out and doing it newbie or not is the best and fastest way to learn.

[racfish]

Going to Fish I remember those days.I used to drive my Datsun 280z all the way down David Powell road then hike to the Gennies where the water would churn making alot of oxygen bubbles.The steelies would pack in.So would the fishermen.Im talking in the 60's.I havent been up there fishing in along time.I used to fish the "School House drift and knock em dead too.I went when the schoolhouse was still standing.I remember back then the Green River in King County and the Snoqualmie River were the number 1 and 2 steelhead producing rivers in the state.

[jens]

Does anyone remember the combat fishing on the Snoqualmie below the power house for summer run steelies? That was crazy! Shoulder to shoulder next to you, an 8ft deep x 12ft wide x 20ft long hole of churning water a foot in front of you and crazy rapids with jagged rocks right behind you. One slip or push by an angry angler and you’re gone. One of the most dangerous places I have ever fished and definitely not a place for children.
But once you had been there a few times and learned how to fish it, the regulars would treat you as one of them. It was a good hole when you were allowed to fish it. I limited every time. Due to the danger factor it has been closed off. I don’t think anyone has fished it for more than 12 years.

Fishin the Sky for dog's is a great place to get into the swing of things when combat fishing. There is a lot of room to spread out. And most of the folks there are nice and will be understanding when fishing the hot spots with newbie’s.
Definitely try the Sky with your son. I take my son as often as I can. Even though he has yet to hook into a chum he still has a great time and enjoys watching them jump. His casting still needs work and he will sometimes get tangled up with another angler. I just keep an eye on him and watch his every cast. As soon as I see that it is headin the wrong direction I jump in and help him out to avoid the inevitable tangle.
Another thing I suggest is to put yourself between him and the other fishermen. That way if he is going to get tangled up with someone it is with you. Stay off to the side of the croud and keep him further away until his casting capabilities get better.

I call my son the humpy slayer. The last couple Pink salmon runs he slayed them. That is how I got him hook on river fishing for salmon. Next year is going to be another big humpy year. So if you can't get your son out there this year (or don’t feel comfortable yet) then wait for the pinks. Don't worry about the crowds during this time. Most of them only fish when the run is in and allot of them are new to fishing or can’t get that casting thing down.
Fishing for pinks is one of the best teaching opportunities on the river. There are no “Hot” holes. The whole river is hot. Just throw a Pink spoon, white jig, or even a bobber with sand shrimp. Just about anywhere on the river will produce fish. This will provide a lot of practice and fun.

Tight Lines and have fun!

My first experience with Pinks was several years ago was at Hoodsport. And it was the best fishing I have ever experienced. I hate to admit the first time I fished Nisqually in September, I was using a Carolina-rig w/bullet weights and corky/yarn set up..I noticed some of the seasoned anglers look at me and I know they were biting their tongues to tell me there aren't any bass in here (:
I appreciate the info and maybe when those pinks come in next year you wouldn't mind my son and I taggin along??