As long as the method, or better said, the participants don't infringe on other's enjoyment. Everyone has different expectations, my expectation for enjoyment is that I can fish through a run without interference and, to me fishing is not a team or competitive sport, I am playing a game of fair chase with the fish.

"Yes, one does occasionally latch on to a poorly cast bait, but pin point casting means more, more, more fish for my slobbering moron clients (just kidding, clients!)."

RFC, In Bill's article, he talks about the more and faster mentalitiy that seems to to have become more invasive and often at the expense of our fellow anglers. We want to turn steelhead into a numbers fish when in reality they are not and our expectations should not be "about the numbers". If every angler has the expectation they have to catch every fish in the river it's going to lead to disappointment and infringement of others enjoyment.

"

When steelhead, including wild ones, were abundant we'd catch our limit, or try to, and then go home for the day. A good test of mettle amongst our CNR crowd might be to see how receptive folks are to the same 2 fish limit even in CNR fisheries. I'm not talking about a regulation that can't be enforced. I'm talking about our personal ability to control our natural selfishness and greed and stay away from the numbers game. Caught two wild steelhead, released them both, now I'm finished for the day; where is that flask?

Sg

Double Haul,
You apparently didn't catch the sarcasm in the line you quoted. I too think the numbers game is self defeating and leads to disappointment all around. I wish internet reports, etc. would get away from posting numbers. I feel if I can get my clients onto a few fish, it was a successful day. Also, I do respect other anglers and different methods of fishing, and work hard not to be invasive towards others.

One question, why is teamwork a bad thing in steelhead fishing? In addition, nowhere in my post did I mention sidedrifting as a competitive endeavor.

RCF, Thanks for the clairification, I respect your response. In regards to your question, I have nothing against teamwork unless it equates into competition, in my opinion competition between anglers bears bad behavior and infringing interactions with other anglers. Personally I am not out angling to compete with others, I have enough of that in daily life. I am there in the game of fair chase with a fish, to focus on my skills and enjoy the environment as well as the company of those I fish with. Personally I don't need teamwork to catch a fish, but it nice to have someone around to pull me out of the river occasionally.

I read it and pretty much agreed. Not sure what anybody would be worked up about, but then again, fishing has been pretty good and I'm mighty agreeable lately,

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