Fishing Ethics

[Chucky]

Long story short as possible... My brother and I were fishing this weekend on a fairly popular lake up North. The lake we were on has many different spots to fish. Well, we were anchored and pitching jigs in one of our favorite spots and just as two boats are passing by, my brother hooks on to a 22" eye (that was a C&R). Sure enough, here come the boats. The one boat pulls up to us within 15 feet and drops his anchor right where we were casting. We told him kindly that he was too close. He told us that he would drift back a ways. Yeah right, maybe another 3 feet. I even ended up snagging his line one time. Anyways, how do the rest of you feel about people getting too close to you when your on the water? I just wish people would have a little respect for others.

[JJ Mac]

Individuals like this area everywhere. You just have to accept it and control the things you can. I sometimes will leave an area right away when others move in and then return later, many times they'll leave. If they ask what you caught, tell them a sheepshead. When landing a fish, try to keep others from noticing. I've been trying to do more fishing after work on week nights, saving the weekends for yardwork, etc. If you are travelling to a "popular" lake, try to take some vacation days and go during the week. It makes the trip more productive and much more enjoyable. When you're headed back south for home, you can laugh and relax as you watch the weekend traffic headed up north.

It's kinda like Cedar Point, the lines are a lot shorter and you get to go on more rides if you go during the week.

[JimH]

There are many things in life that I try and let go and not bother me. Getting cut-off in a parking lot for a space, getting cut-off on a highway, people talking loudly in a movie theater, etc. However, the one thing that drives me absolutely crazy is when someone parks right next to you when you're working a piece of structure or other spot. I try and keep a heavy Daredevil and a muskie rod with me, and I will cast as close as possible to his boat. I'll talk as loud as possible to my partner about ignorant people, and do as much as possible to make him uncomfortable. I'll bang things around in the boat. I'll even bang things against the side of the boat to spook the fish. If he still doesn't figure out that he's unwelcome, I'll start the main motor and blast off the spot and look for another. Usually...if you make it real uncomfortable, they do get the point and move. If you just pull up and leave, you unfortunately reward him for his behavior and it reinforces his belief that he can do it and get away with it. If he happens to procreate, his little offspring will be taught the same belief and another brood of ignorants will infest our fishing waters. So...for your childrens sake's, try not to let him get away with it.

[wa_walleye unlogged]

I was talking to Democrat, he once decide to leave due to being crowded, fired up his motor and deliberately drove right over the fishing holes so the other boat would get the message. Once you meet him you can see it in his personality and I for one would have laughed if I had been there.... wa_walleye

[fishnmagicin]

In a northern lake that should not happen, yet it does. I often see this happen and you wonder there is an entire lake out there and so few people. I find that SOME southerners are lazy to find their own spots. They go to a lake and just find other boats and motor over to them. They watch to see which boats produce and then get right up close and personal. In North Bay people settle it at the launch, often fighting for a piece of water. Idiots. And the walleye pro's and Musky pro's are the worst. When the PWT comes in town, we stay home instead of fishing. They often come right up to you and ask all the questions use you and abuse you. As soon as they find out what the want they are gone or they will actually bump you off your spot at any cost. I have a friend in North Bay Ontario who guides for Muskies. He was fishing certain spots and I will not mention names, but a VERY pernounced musky pro (maybe the most pernounced) in three different occasions cut him of in his Ranger to get to the spot first. Once they know where you are fishing and what for, you are done. NO RESPECT FOR THE LITTLE GUYS!!!!!!!!!! They need to set examples not be a negative one. My 2 cents.

[Hoosierdaddy]

My partner and I came up with a couple methods of chasing away the (lake lice).
Hopefully you have a CD or tape player on the boat for this one. Go to a bargain bin at your local music store and pick out the most enoying CD you can find.. Show tunes work great for this. Crank it up in the boat. It has to be load enough so that if they try to ask you to turn it down that you can pretend not to notice. If this doesnt work at first don't give up too quickly ... the next step is to sing along with the tape/CD.. at the top of your lungs.... There's NO business like SHOW business there's No business I know.... Believe me ... they won't last long.

[sevenmmm]

Oh yeah...I remember all those pleasant times when I fought everyone off my Secret spots. Most times it totally ruined my day.

You really want to see people crowd in on you? Just buy a tournament looking boat and people will be attracted to check you out - specailly if your bowmounting along or anchored.

Last year even had a guy follow me as I criss-crossed back and forth looking for a particular rock pile, and as I punch in the spot on my gps, this guy grabs his anchor and throws it towards my boat thinking he had me.

Now that I've grown up, all he got out of me was a laugh and a comment to my partner that any eyes holding on that spot are long gone, spooked by the anchor clanging the rock pile.

The good thing was, the guy didn't follow me to the next spot!:-)

[Toolman]

Rick,

You need a faster boat! :)

Tim

[Peter H]

Just have to vent here on my recent experience. So here my story of bad fishing ethics. Along with me were, my friend and my 11 year old son. We were pulling 6 boards along a steep break on Saturday night on LBDN North of Escanaba River heading northeast. Mine you we just came through the Escanaba river area and there were a ton of people and our boards were not spread very wide. Two rough looking older guys in an old boat using their large motor to troll was a good 1/4+ mile ahead of us following the same break. They turned and cirled way into the shallows at the breakwall and headed southwest trying I believe to get out to the break crossing in front of me. I was tight on the break. They were closing the gap with my boat. I think they did not have a clue as they were in the shallows heading southwest. As they approached and closed the gap even more, I took my boat in as close as I could to the break with out going into the 3 foot area. Our inside boards were dragging in the shallows. We yelled to the guy that we had boards to the side. The guy said "you could turn in". But I could not have. He did not understand the break but he made no effort to turn out at all. I believe he purposely turned in further. Again, we yelled to him to turn out. His next comment was he "I am going to run over your ####ing boards". We started to crank in our boards as quick as we could but to no avail. He hit 2 of the 3 boards. He was so close, lucky for me, he just missed my furthest inside board. We did get my 2 boards back a little banged up.

In retrospect - maybe the old guy was drunk, or just has a huge chip on his shoulder. #### Wisconsin guy up on "his" water. He will be judged when the time comes - hope he has bad Karma for a long time - by the looks, he already did. We did go and get his boat number. The guy flipped us off and said some nice things as we were getting his number.

I guess I have to look in a positive light. I got to teach my son how not to act and to show him not everyone in the outdoor sports is good natured as he is accustomed to (Bad apples). As much as I wanted to retaliate by running over/catching his lines, I would be no better than him if I did that.

Funny note. When I tried to call the DNR with my cell phone to the "Poacher" hotline (no other number on license to call) - I could not get through because it was busy everytime I called. Hot number in Michigan?

Stratos Pete

[J]

Last year on the opener, we were almosted nudged out. My boat was drifting a small hump....a boat of American gentlemen were about 40 yards away. We caught a good walleye on the drift, and before I could get it in the boat, the WI boat was heaving in the anchor. They made an attempt to scuttle or spot from us...luckily I boated the fish and ran up to the top of the hump thus trapping them off the structure. We were pissed at them.

This year, they were back.....get to the lake, go to the hump....guess who's there....uh-huh...the WI boat. Well, we wait around (like good, ehical boys) for them to move...they started their big motor and putted around. We grabbed a piece of the hump and anchored. They also stuck around. Once again they were close enough to witness us haul in yet another trophy walleye this year.

Karma....

J

[sevenmmm]

Oh good God no! My boat is already to fast!!!!

[fishhunter]

On the "Opener" you may have a point, but you have to stop and think that maybe it was "the other guys spot" too. Unless you fish every day you dont know if he was their yesterday and feels the same way as you. I guess who is ever their first has the right so I would be pissed too, but you dont own the lake and neither does anyone else so either learn to live with it or take up another hobby. Some people are WAY to serious.

[Terroreyes]

Try fishing on the Detroit River in the spring! A snag will cause a pack to develop. I had my boat bumped twice this spring. Same day! Sad part was that they were prefishing tourney anglers. The guys that blantantly smacked me were in a sponsored boat and saw me snag, which they must have thought was a fish, and within seconds they were on top of me. I started to work back upstream to free the snag and they just kept a commin'. I had to move to keep from getting broad sided and they still whacked my trolling plate. The guy working the trolling motor saw exactly what he was doing. I even got the evil eye for not moving fast enough and one guy just, seriously!, lifted his jig over the back of my boat, then dropped it back down like no big deal!!!!! Guess 7-8 sponsored 300#'ers have more rights than one lowly casual fisherman.
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[Terroreyes]

On a different note..... had 3 real special people in a boat want to fight on the water yesterday. I was cruising about 10 mph through the shallows near Grosse Ile with my 7 year old son and here comes someone ripping toward me at about 30 mph head on. No big deal. I wait to see if he's going to change lines and nope, so just as I start to veer right, he does the same. I cut back left and so does he. Arrrrghhhh! These fools pull up close to me as they're passing and let out a few censored words, so I gave a few back. Now it's fighting time for them. They do a u-turn and start tailing me with fingers flying everywhere and mouths a runnin'. They followed me for about 100 yards then came by and gave me a good wake. My god! People need to calm down and learn to quite being such tough guys out there. The waters too open and free to get all worked up like you're in a rush hour traffic jam.
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[J]

>On the "Opener" you may have a point, but you have to stop
>and think that maybe it was "the other guys spot" too.
>Unless you fish every day you dont know if he was their
>yesterday and feels the same way as you. I guess who is ever
>their first has the right so I would be pissed too, but you
>dont own the lake and neither does anyone else so either learn
>to live with it or take up another hobby. Some people are WAY
>to serious.



I hear ya. But no, it was not his spot. Last year, we were the only ones to fish this hard to find hump (I've been fishing the lake hard for over a decade and casually for over 25 yrs.). When we caught a big eye, every boat within ear & eyeshot converged. Hey, I live with it! It was amusing on one hand and annoying on the other. I just can't believe the two clowns that parked next to us last year, then tried to take the spot while we were on the drift, were there this year. I know I don't own the lake, but you gotta love the guys who ride your coat-tails!!! And, actually, it's not Karma.....we catch fish because we know how to find structure and fish it....and they don't. I actually felt sorry for them.

[Jimmy]

This same sort of thing happened to me this weekend. I was fishing a shallow gravel point (3-5) and was the only one there. We started to catch quite a few fish pitching jigs. Naturally about 6 boats decide to horn in on us. This annoys me some but you have to live with a little company being it is opening weekend. However one of these morons that is watching us pound the fish decides he wants to get in on some of the action. Well about 10 feet in front of our boat right were we were casting, this dork thinks it's alright to fire up his big motor and troll around. Keep in mind it's only about 3 ft. of water. He would see us catch a fish and then procede to motor over to exactly were we casted to catch it. Well after a few times of doing this, he proceeds to scare all the fish out of the area. I just can't stand these kind of morons. Not once in my life have I ever considered doing this to someone. Can't people fish their own fish. Or at least give you a little room. Sheesh!!

[J]

>This same sort of thing happened to me this weekend. I was
>fishing a shallow gravel point (3-5) and was the only one
>there. We started to catch quite a few fish pitching jigs.
>Naturally about 6 boats decide to horn in on us. This annoys
>me some but you have to live with a little company being it is
>opening weekend. However one of these morons that is watching
>us pound the fish decides he wants to get in on some of the
>action. Well about 10 feet in front of our boat right were we
>were casting, this dork thinks it's alright to fire up his big
>motor and troll around. Keep in mind it's only about 3 ft. of
>water. He would see us catch a fish and then procede to motor
>over to exactly were we casted to catch it. Well after a few
>times of doing this, he proceeds to scare all the fish out of
>the area. I just can't stand these kind of morons. Not once in
>my life have I ever considered doing this to someone. Can't
>people fish their own fish. Or at least give you a little
>room. Sheesh!!


I hear ya Jimmy....loud and clear.

[J]

Oh yeah. One more thing. I have no problem with guys who come close to you if they are trolling by, or even if they are motoring in the area, shut the big motor off, and then troll around. All of that on one condition though....that I'm not visibly catching fish. Then I just consider them to be other hard working fishermen looking for the same thing I am. BUT, if I catch a fish and then look up to see a floatilla of boats headed my way, that's a different story. That is just no acceptable.

Ever notice on this board when these stories come up, there is always the "you don't own the lake" crowd? While I can see their point (to a point), you gotta wonder if these guys who defend the unethical actions of others are out there doing the same.

[Hoosierdaddy]

I would never defend these lake lice for their unethical actions.. However, you gotta stop taking it as a disrespectful strike against you and letting your rage build. Its just pure ignorance and jealousy that drives these morons. Most of these guys couldn't catch fish in the spot you were in if you pulled up anchor and gave them the spot. This happens to me all of the time where I live and you just gotta learn to let it slide. One of my friends is a quite successful striper guide and literally has three other guides in his area that will hover 50 yards off of his dock waiting for him to leave with his clients and then follow him out to his spots. Also "J" I noticed that you just had to point out that these annoying spot stealers of yours were Americans....I am betting you have a deeper problem than people stealing your spot.

[Zippy]

Anymore I don't get too mad about these things. I had a guy pull up about 15 ft from me one day while I was anchored and he saw me catch a couple fish. He sat right on top of where I was casting so, I started banking my jigs off of his boat, not hard, just enough to get his attention. He never said a word, he just left. If that doesn't work, I got two words..."Paintball Gun"

[Sledboy]

Paintball gun,if I can reach them there to close.

[sevenmmm]

YES!

Couldn't have wrote these thoughts any better Hoosierdaddy. And to the paintball idea, that sounds really good, but think he would have all the evidence needed to file a complaint against the shooter.

I for one am going to go the taking pictures with my camera route. Maybe we can get a good belly-laugh looking at these loser's actions on the internet!:-)

[wouldchuck]

I never fish over an anchor. I either troll or drift. And I'm very seldom much farther than the length of the boat (16') behind the boat. If, while on a drift or a troll, I come up on some one else doing the same and we're going to interfere with each other I always give way. One way or the other. It doesn't matter to me. I can always get back on the break after we pass. But I only give way enough to miss the other boat. Then, if he thinks we're too close, it's up to him to give way also.

If the other boat is alreay anchored I give him enough room to fish within a reasonable distance from the boat. If you're anchored and your bobbers are 20" - 30" out from your boat then you're taking up too much space on the lake and should maybe think about taking up trolling. One time I gave an anchored boat a good 20' and one of the guys put down his pole with a jig on it, picked one up with a Rapala on it and cast it at me. Missed my boat by inches. My buddy in the front of the boat said the guy jerked back on the rod as the lure came in as if he was hoping to get a hook set when it landed. I calmly reeled in and then did a full speed loop around their boat. Then settled back in for a troll further down the break line.

One thing that will really pi$$ me off is when I'm trolling a break line or a weed line and some one comes in in front of me and drops anchor making me work around him. He will get as much respect from me as he gave. None.

Now for the fun: Once in a while my partner and I will make some comotion over a small walleye or perch or hammer handle northern we caught, making sure to use the net, drop a bouy and then watch to see how many boats we "catch". It always make the slow times a little easier to take.

[betterduckwoodchuck]

So what youre saying is: if I'm anchored 70 feet off shore, and pitching in to within ten feet of shore line, you would have no problem trolling in between me and the shoreline under your 30 or 20 feet "right of way rule" If thats the case, then you deserve getting casted at. I feel im entitled to as much water as I can cast to with the gear I'm using at the time you go by and the direction I'm casting. I really dont care if you go withing 20 feet of me outside, but you better think twice about going inside.

Several years ago, I was shorcasting at Hendricks, going one direction, and met up with a nice Lund coming the other direction. When we were approx 100 yds apart, they found a pocket of fish and set the anchor out. Exactly what I wouldve done had the situation been reversed. I passed well to the outside of them and proceeded by, all the while they were catching (and releasing) very nice walleyes. The other two guys in my boat wanted me to get on in there and lets get some of them. I said no way would I do that and was not even going to get close. Needless to say, they were pissed off at me the rest of the day, but that was OK with me, as it was the right thing to do.

[betterchuck woodduck]

I was really worried about exceeding my boat length-cast ratio, so i bought a 150ft boat.

[danr]

I too believe music is the best way.
And I don't think will spook the fish.....



danr
http://www.rapitori.ro/pescuit.php

[M.T. Freezer]

I have an additional problem!! I do a lot of tournament prefishing with my 8 yr. old son. Any boat within 50 feet will get a full report on how our day is going (ie. how many, how big, what bait) from this proud little angler. I tried to explain the fishermans motto: WHEN ON THE WATER - WE HAVEN'T CAUGHT ANYTHING. AT THE LANDING - THEY WERE ALL 28" +. He then reminded me that I would be telling a lie. Can't argue with an 8 year old that is smarter than me!!

LOL
Mike

[cast_and_blast]

I've fished for over 30 years and I can't recall ever being sworn at, chased, hit by another boat, hit by another fisherman's line/bait/hook, challenged to a fist-fight, shot by paintball, etc.

Yep, frustrating situations happen. It's how you react that defines your character - not only to you but to those around you (like your kids!)

It's just fishing, it's supposed to be fun. When it happens to me I just find a different spot if I don't want to deal with the situation.

Will the "offending" folks do it again? Maybe. But I can calmly explain to my kids why we moved spots and let them learn from the situation.

Some (most) of the reactions here are, at a minimum, over the top and some have the potential to land someone in jail.

It's just fishing, it's supposed to be fun.

Good Luck!

Scott

[Jumpster]

I agree 100%. It's just fishing. Have fun!

>I've fished for over 30 years and I can't recall ever being
>sworn at, chased, hit by another boat, hit by another
>fisherman's line/bait/hook, challenged to a fist-fight, shot
>by paintball, etc.
>
>Yep, frustrating situations happen. It's how you react that
>defines your character - not only to you but to those around
>you (like your kids!)
>
>It's just fishing, it's supposed to be fun. When it happens
>to me I just find a different spot if I don't want to deal
>with the situation.
>
>Will the "offending" folks do it again? Maybe. But I can
>calmly explain to my kids why we moved spots and let them
>learn from the situation.
>
>Some (most) of the reactions here are, at a minimum, over the
>top and some have the potential to land someone in jail.
>
>It's just fishing, it's supposed to be fun.
>
>Good Luck!
>
>Scott
>
>

[reddog]

MT freezer

Ill never forget(35+ years ago) the time on the boat ramp when my dad told one of his buddies that we hadnt caught enything, when in fact we had smoked them. We were both looking out the passenger window of the 57 chevy talking to one of his friends. I turned to my dad to say something about all the fish we had caught, and he put his arm around my shoulders, and cupped his hand across my mouth, and said we had to leave. I couldnt believe he could do that, I did not understand it. In my mind, he had just told a huge lie. I find it quite funny now. Thanks for jogging my memory a bit.

Keep taking your son fishing! You are building memories that last a lifetime!

[smelly]

My policy is to wave at everyone. Folks are more likely to be polite to you if you are polite to them. Plus, they're only fish.

[wouldchuck]

Ooops!

Yep, you're right. I would never go between a fisherman and shore for any reason. I was talking about the boats with four to five guys in them all casting in different directions. I'll give them their casting distance but I'm going to get back on to that break line as soon as I can.

[drbrand]

I like Hoosierdaddy's idea of having a cd player with annoying show tunes to play. One of the most irritating songs that I can think of that will also allow you to get your point across would be "Its a Small World After All." Anyone that has been to Disney World probably knows what I am talking about. That song will stick in their head for days.

[reddog]

Paybacks are ####. While camping at the Apple River In Wisc. one year, we had to listen to Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Black Oak Arkansas,etc till the wee hours of the morning. We asked them to turn it down a bit, as we had young children along, only to get more volume. ( I know, not a good place for youngns) Payback came the next morning, promptly at 6, as our young children got to listen to Itsy Bitsy Spider, Old McDonald had a Farm, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, etc. Well, you get the idea. I dont remember telling them to turn it down and I also seem to remember sonme dancing and screaming also.

[MRS. BUNKYWOLFGANG]

MY FEELINGS ON THIS TOPIC IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE . AS WE ALL NO , THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN . HAD MANY EXPERIENCES WITH DIFFERENT FISHERMEN AND BOATERS BEING TO CLOSE AND KNOCKING ME OVER IN THE BOAT . MY LEGS ARE NOT STEADY BUT THIS IS A HOT TOPIC . I WAS MARRIED TO A MUSKY MAN WHOM MADE ALL HIS OWN HAND MADE LURES . ONE YEAR HE MADE A DOUBLE JOINTED LURE ABOUT 2 FOOT LONG , HOOKS AND ALL .ONE YEAR WE HAD RE ACURRING PROBLEMS WITH A SKI BOAT . I WAS KNOCKED OVER ONCE AND MY HUSBAND PUT THIS HUGE LURE ON HIS POLE . AND THE NEXT TIME THE BOAT CAME BACK THROUGH , THEY ASKED HIM WHAT KIND OF FISHING LURE HE HAD ON HIS POLE .HE TOLD THEM IT WAS SPECIAL AND TO COME CLOSER . NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY DID , DAH ? AND HE CASTED THAT LURE AT THE BOAT (MISSING IT OF COURSE ) WE HAD THE BEST LAUGH AND HE TOLD THEM THE LURE WAS CALLED A SKIER IN REVERSE . MRS . WM . WOLFGANG THE WILD MAN'S WIFE !

[J]

>I would never defend these lake lice for their unethical
>actions.. However, you gotta stop taking it as a disrespectful
>strike against you and letting your rage build. Its just pure
>ignorance and jealousy that drives these morons. Most of
>these guys couldn't catch fish in the spot you were in if you
>pulled up anchor and gave them the spot. This happens to me
>all of the time where I live and you just gotta learn to let
>it slide. One of my friends is a quite successful striper
>guide and literally has three other guides in his area that
>will hover 50 yards off of his dock waiting for him to leave
>with his clients and then follow him out to his spots. Also
>"J" I noticed that you just had to point out that these
>annoying spot stealers of yours were Americans....I am betting
>you have a deeper problem than people stealing your spot.

Rage? One thing about the internet boards....emotions do not come across well...words do. I NEVER get visibly angry or upset at anyone on the water...just the little voice in my head thinking these guys are exhibiting behavior that is foreign to me. And that they should go jump in the lake, LOL!

Sorry for the 'American' adjective old sport, I was going to describe the situation in more detail, but my post had to be trunciated. But, these guys were Americans fishing Canadian waters. Hey, again sorry. The reason I pointed them out as such, is that I find, sometimes, that the Stateside guys sometimes, (how shall I put this?) get very EXCITED, and sometimes a bit over zealous when fishing my opening weekend haunt. Hey, no problemo....most of the time. They're having the time of their life and maybe more forgiveness on my part at the obvious overflowing enthusiasm. Perhaps I'd act the same way when fishing the flats of Florida...excited to see other anglers and curious as to what and how they are doing. But an overt attempt to steal a fellas spot is not just over-enthusiasm.

Anyhoo, apologies.....I ain't no US basher and look forward to seeing all the WI & Il gentlemen every year.

peace out

J

[J]

>I would never defend these lake lice for their unethical
>actions.. However, you gotta stop taking it as a disrespectful
>strike against you and letting your rage build. Its just pure
>ignorance and jealousy that drives these morons. Most of
>these guys couldn't catch fish in the spot you were in if you
>pulled up anchor and gave them the spot. This happens to me
>all of the time where I live and you just gotta learn to let
>it slide. One of my friends is a quite successful striper
>guide and literally has three other guides in his area that
>will hover 50 yards off of his dock waiting for him to leave
>with his clients and then follow him out to his spots. Also
>"J" I noticed that you just had to point out that these
>annoying spot stealers of yours were Americans....I am betting
>you have a deeper problem than people stealing your spot.

Rage? One thing about the internet boards....emotions do not come across well...words do. I NEVER get visibly angry or upset at anyone on the water...just the little voice in my head thinking these guys are exhibiting behavior that is foreign to me. And that they should go jump in the lake, LOL!

Sorry for the 'American' adjective old sport, I was going to describe the situation in more detail, but my post had to be trunciated. But, these guys were Americans fishing Canadian waters. Hey, again sorry. The reason I pointed them out as such, is that I find, sometimes, that the Stateside guys sometimes, (how shall I put this?) get very EXCITED, and sometimes a bit over zealous when fishing my opening weekend haunt. Hey, no problemo....most of the time. They're having the time of their life and maybe more forgiveness on my part at the obvious overflowing enthusiasm. Perhaps I'd act the same way when fishing the flats of Florida...excited to see other anglers and curious as to what and how they are doing. But an overt attempt to steal a fellas spot is not just over-enthusiasm.

Anyhoo, apologies.....I ain't no US basher and look forward to seeing all the WI & Il gentlemen every year.

peace out

J

[and....]

two more words.....frozen paintballs.

[and....]

two more words.....frozen paintballs.

[Blubber]

I got a good one! When I was about 6, my dad took me bluegill fishing on a decent sized lake in suothern MI. We had been fishing for about 2 hrs when this clod in a old wooden speed boat comes flying around and gets to within about 30 ft of us then veers off, goes aaround the lake and comes back at us. He does this one more time and my dad gets REALLY mad. So he picks up an oar, now keep in mind that he was 6' 7" and around 250# and that he worked construction all his life. Anyway, he heaves the oar like a javilin and WHAM it sticks right in the top part of the bow. So this jerk goes in to shore and calls the cops. As it turned out the cop was an old high school buddy of my dad's and he gave the other guy a ticket!! and told him that if he was driving close enough to get an oar stuck in his boat, then he was too close!
Now, you may not belive me, but I saw it all with my own eyes. Also while I don't recomend doing it, it was a good memory of my dad who has since passed away. Thanks for letting me share.

[shadowalker]

I fish in minnesota alot in july. On these lakes there are certain spots on the breaks that are better than others, it has been my opinion that when others join me on these breaks which they always do that sharing is ok as long as they dont anchor while all others are slowly working these small areas.The worst part has been for me is the locals will show up and try there best to cut you off and of course when you connect they will speed out of the area like children. since we all have to share the structure i also find a friendly wave to get all of us the best results.just my 2,,shadowalker

[Eerie Bud]

Guess I'm glad I don't have friends like your dad.