Given the continuing hoorah about giving up rivers and other hints, cross pollinated with my desire to sometimes brag and be helpful, I will now declare to all that may read any future post of mine, that when I say I caught fish, I may or may not be telling the truth, either in part, or in whole. Since I have been publicly declared a fisherman for some 35 + years now, this will likely not come as a surprise to any who know me.

You will have to determine for yourself whether this is in fact a bona fide fish report offered to help all those who might wish to benefit, or a diversionary tactic intended to decoy you from the spots I intend to fish soon.

Going back to the declaration of intent to lie, you may safely assume that any hint you get from me will not be about a spot that doesn't have at least 10 boats hit it on a given Saturday. You won't hear about my little bucket holes on the local rivers that are always good for a fish, but that I won't fish if there is another boat within sight. So if you ever see me fishing, it won't be on what I consider to be the good water. Unless I change my mind.

Fished the Snoqualmie day before yesterday. Caught a fish. On a hook. In the mouth. With eggs. It was a winter fish. Maybe. :-)

Seriously, fished the Sno yesterday, hard. No fish, no takedowns, no fish sighted other than some rolling chums. No-one we talked to had any luck either. Though we caught what appeared to be a residualized rainbow - 16 inches, with stream coloring. No, it wasn't a cutthroat. I had heard of this before, but had never seen one myself before.

Good approach, Silver. I too vow deception on fishing locations and will direct newcomers to the F & H news for details. I will insist that everyone explore and experiment as I have done, because the process of discovery is far more important than the results, and by God that's the way we did it, and if it's good enough for me, than...

In addition, I will chastise anyone who doesn't support proper management and enforcement initiatives that will benifit them in the future, even if they haven't had any near term results and can't participate in the catch and brag sessions.

I hope we aren't being short sighted and turn off the newcomers. We could use a broad base of educated sportsmen who repect the resource and are willing to apply the political pressure to maintain it. That base needs to be more than the junkies who get out everyday and succeed with skill and tenancity. We need the support of the occasional angler; their vote and influence is equally important.

I don't want to be an ass or anything but don't you guys think that giving up good fishing spots(i didn't say the best spots) to newbies WITH a stressed importance of CnR, a reason why the paticular fishery is so good and why limiting out every time is not anywhere near the true objective of fishing is a good idea? That respect alone is a good tool of fish management. Isn't that better than shoving them off to a "fishing newspaper" spot with the intent to show off their catch in a spectacle of ahhhs like the news pictures portray theirs? And to continue this attitude throughout there lives because no one told them any better. I would think that would produce many new fishermen, that crowd the holes,that keep everything, that cast over everyone, that snag and keep, that all of us complain about. Could you actually be giving birth to the SNAGGER CLANS Just kidding. Don't you think the educated will positively affect the fishery rather than the uneducated? Just looking for an opinion cause many people are very hush hush about fishing spots, including my best friend. He also leads the stray astray.

I disagree. This is not a new topic and my views run contrary to the prevailing wisdom, which has been expressed by Silver. Here goes.

I do not believe that revealing the river on which you happen to land a fish is going to result in a commensurate increase in the number of anglers fishing that river. In fact, I suggest the two are completly unrelated. For example, just because someone posts that they landed a winter steelhead on the Kalama River on a pink jig under a float is not likely to result in hoards of anglers descending on the Kalama River armed with floats and jigs. I submit that it won't result in any more anglers on the Kalama than there would be on any winter day.

I'm not suggesting that anglers should reveal secret, out-of-the-way, fishing holes that few people know about or visit. I am suggesting that angler should not feel they are threatening their fishing future by stating they caught a steelhead last weekend on the Kalama or the Lewis, or the Cowlitz on a spinner or a jig or some eggs. These are not unknown rivers nor are those techniques a big secret.

I find it annoying when someone posts that they recently caught a species of fish, that they will not identify, on a river somewhere in SW Washington using some secret lure/bait. BFD!

BTW - I'm not suggesting that Silver's thread is one of those annoying posts. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now....

I think someone who states publicly their intend to lie, loses all credibility....so why read their posts after this?

i think and believe that if one hasn't anything good to say, it's best not to say nothing at all. scott

Fishing and Lying go hand in hand like Osprey and the quarterback.

F F F, I was being sarcastic, and I didn't think I was all that subtle with the words and the winking icon. What I believe in, is an educated broad base of sportsmen who are motivated to act to maintain a viable resource for all users.
The question I struggle with is: What motivates them? I don't think a newcomer will last without the rewards of catching a few fish, particularly with all the stories and pictures that abound in this media. Secrecy turns people off and makes them reluctant to support our cause. For most people the joy of discovery will evolve with success and education.

I think this site can do without deceptive diversion posts!!! And without dishonest ego posts. One guy here just lost any credibility on posts he makes for his ego, or posts that could be a lying diversion of fishers away from the water he wants to fish, with a resulting tiny bit less pressure. Not worth it! If any of us find a member posting untrue info I say let's bring it out in posts to alert the other members of unethical misinformation.

On a related matter, as I've posted before, I believe it's best not to mention uncrowded places to catch fish. I think if you have a great day on one and itch to brag post about it that you hold off and wait until you have a good day on a well known river you can divulge in your post about your hammer day. I can understand a little more for guys with fishing related products to promo posting about good days in their fav unmentioned river sections, as long as it's kept HONEST. But still best to think twice before clicking on the post icon. Just my 0.02 opinion.

RT

As a new member, with a limited amount of expertise, this topic really disappoints me. I don't expect anyone to give up any secrets here, but to lie or mislead people is low. I was raised to believe bad deeds will come back to bite you. Sure hope it's true.

Here's an honest as they get photo. I don't think I left anything out of this one.

Ooops. That should be 10lb Ultra Green Leader, 12lb main (not in picture) and I forgot the date. 12-05-01. Not pictured is my GLOOMIS GL3 1143 floating down the river and my POS Curado 100. Notice that the hook is on the INSIDE of the mouth. This hen was released. Honestly. Oh yeah, RichG took the photo. Hope you got some sleep man! Thanks for the excellent day on the OP! Way cool!



[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: parker ]

ROFLMAO!!! I love it! That's the best re: to put a controversial subject into perspective that's ever been posted Parker. Really made my day (well made my hour anyway) - that's how bad I've got cabin fever stir craziness waiting for seeming ever for the ol' rumpbone to knit back together. The only thinkgs you didn't put into your graphics is whether that's a summer steelhead or a rosy early winter. And I will mention for you that you had a hammer day (I saw the pic of his limit of brats he sent today).

Hey, speaking of zippers, I heard the infamous little 'Chef' Creek it puttin out the big numbers for the likes of Mr. Superflyski and crew. I want to be there; if they would letty me fish there.

Just when I was about to go do something else I come across this picture.Thats great!I think you broke the c@r rule though.You let a hatchery fish go to mingle with the native stock!Oh my god!Now I won't feel so bad next time I let one go.I never understood talking about catching fish anyways.I tell people fish should be here or there,but I hardly ever tell people I caught umpty fish today hurry up and go get some.If a guy loves to FISH than he might go explore the idea.If he wants to go CATCH he probably won't bother.I am not into CATCHING I am into FISHING.Catching is a bonus but is only part of the whole equation.I can sit all day with a good friend and talk about fishing.If I was too try and sit all day and talk about all the fish we had caught I would get bored real quick.Hell it's been awile since I had a fishing partner,anybody want to go hike some canyon water on the penninsula,its not easy but can be damn rewarding.

RT, I'm hearing the same rumblings comin from the kitchen!

FJ...out.

Hey,guys (and gals), esp. FFF, retriever, and Randy, I need to apologise. The initiating post was intended as humor, and clearly my point was too subtle. I have a tendency to draw a fine point, and perhaps to go too far in that direction. My bad. But there was a point there.

Personally, I like to talk about fishing, and I like to listen. Inevitably a little bit about location seeps in. I don't mind telling about a few places and approaches, because I'm a big believer about what goes around comes around. I also like to get hints, and I'll share in return. It's an interesting balance, however.
I have run across plenty of guys that couldn't get out a map and scout to save their soul. I have done plenty of that, and to be blunt, have earned the right to share, or not share, or gently mislead the lazy. Generally, I choose to share, but it's interesting how much that is discouraged on the board here.

I do think the whole zipperlip thing has been carried a bit to extreme. The rip fest on Todd for talking about the Snoqualmie was just a little over the top. For christmas' sake, there were thirty people out at Tokul today, catching fish. This is not a secret. Ot did I just reveal one? Or did I just do what I said I'd do? Oh, my god, now i'm confusing myself!

To cohoangler, right on! Getting data about what is happening is why one comes to places like this. I find it disappointing, but understandable, that people will not use this forum for that purpose. However, I have my network developed over the last 20 years, which still works, so life will go on.

To Randy, as to why you would ever read one of my posts, well, of course to read my scintillating wit. Or not. Doesn't matter to me.

To Hey Y'all, I think you have nailed it. Part of the essence of fishing fun is the gentle teasing of a truth into a story. As I have had to chastise my daughter a time or too, don't constrain my stories with facts.

That said, we really did smell the polecat yesterday.

Any decent fisherman doesnt have to lie about what river they fished on, what they used, etc. Because most avid fisherman WILL Know where the fish are, when they are there and what to use in order to catch fish. In my opinion this forum was designed for sportsmen and women to chat and trade information, techniques, etc. Am i wrong? Please help me understand the logic in posting erroneous information. Just my .02.
Matt

Parker - that is one excellent picture. I throughly enjoyed the captions.
Since I run the lake and saltwater web site that relies on people posting reports, I can't really agree with posting fake reports now, can I? My philosophy is if you're fishing a spot that can't stand the pressure of public information, keep it to yourself! And if someone else decides to give away that same spot, that's their choice, too. Lets face it, with 5 million humans in this great state of ours, those "secret spots" ain't so secret anymore. Personally, I don't mind sharing the rivers, lakes, and salt. As long as those around me behave in a curteous manner and I do the same, we can all enjoy it together.

You are killing me Parker,that is way too funny!!!

Silver Hilton, in no means was i finger pointing. I also have a sense of humor and i agree to an extent on not telling specifics to specific people. And it is totally up to you to decide what to tell and how to tell it. I got my question answered seamingly truthfully. And made a slight point that some do agree with including you. Glad to see that some people still have a smile to give when a day of bad fishing has made itself clear. I am willing to give but if the person i encounter starts the conversation off with something lame like i lost a 20 pounder or my boat sunk yesterday, you know, the typical BSrs, that i always seem to attract, i give them NOTHING BUT BS. That is just mandatory. If you can't be honest then why should I be? You know who you are. Anyways, now where's your favorite spot???

Now THAT'S a Kodak moment !

Too Funny!

Jeff