Make sure to check the river reports page for a little blurb about a gun-brandishing incident on the Hoh today. Saddened and embarressed to see it happen on a West End river ... come on, I know that there can be some people that are tough to fish around, but pulling a gun on them?? I thought much of this sport was about having some fun ...

Bob,
Ya that is sad to hear, makes me wonder if I really want to make a trip up there this year. We floated a small river this year down here in Aberdeen and got shot at. I guess the familys on the river don't like people going through there water. We weren't on their property, unless they own 50' of the river. But let me tell ya it gave me second thoughts on going back any time soon.

Andy

Andy,

Lemme tell ya, they might be able to own the riverbed on certain occasions, but under no circumstances can any person OWN the water flowing down through. Even in cases where the riverbed is private property, as long as you are not touching bottom, you are SAFE! Legally, anyway... =)

Which brings up something I've been wodering about since reading one of Andy's other posts- do the indians own the Quinault water because of a treaty or something? Or did I misread his and potter's posts?

Guns are everywhere....SAD.

I have been interested in getting a gun for cougars. I run into there kills every now and then.....kinda spooky.

On a lighter note.....Are there big Halibut in the Hoh?
Very interesting question AK BILL. Do the Quinalts own the water?

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Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

I've seen two guides use guns on peninsula rivers. In both cases they were blasting at predatory birds and I was in a drift boat less than fifty yards behind. The unexpected sound scared the piss out of my partner and, on the other occasion, my woman and I. While I'm not opposed to the specific actions of these guides; I wish they'd warned us first. On a personal note, I probably would not book a trip with a guide that carries a firearm downriver if I knew so in advance. Although I realize that guns are a fact of life and more anglers are packing heat on the rivers nowadays, to me, there's always a way to talk down a tense situation on the river. Brandishing a gun only escalates it.

I drift the West end rivers twice a week and fish ith flys. You may have seen me. 14 foot Outcast two man pontoon boat. I have never had even an altercation, let alone a gun slinging altercation with anyone. I do keep to my self when I get low holed, or see someone breaking the regs, fishing bait in selective areas and so on. i KNOW better than to give a bunch of gun slingin red necks a hard time. I just call inforcement. I refuse to play the game.

whats the big deal?everyone I know carrys a firearm on the river,you would be a fool not to,not just for bears,but for the most dangerous thing of all in the bush,MAN !!

Well it sounds like marvin f was bein his agressive self again!.I've fished the West End for ever and have never had the occassion to feel the need for heat,never have seen a bear on the river or a cougar!.
But on the other hand those idiots from Seattle who consider themselves "Sportsman" who just come out and litter up the rivers with thier sportscans!...liquid courage!,now that's where a guy might feel the need for heat!.Sounds like a irresponsable gun owner!
You need to learn when to get by...River Etiquette! What

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Drue Luna

It's not the first time guns have been shown on the Rivers. But used to be the boaters and the bankers. The more people that show up to fish, there will likely be more of these hot heads show up too. Alot of folks have guns on the river, in the boat, truck, or on their person. So it probably won't be the last time. Too bad.

For those of us that missed the river reports page on the 25th, what happened? That's sad to hear.

Apparently a guide and a private boat had an exchange of words of some sort and it ended up with a passenger on the private boat pulling out a gun and waving it in a "threatening manner". I did see the Jeffco Sheriff with the fellas in the Lavro ... that's how I knew that there had been a confrontation ... "how" it happened is second-hand summarization. As I mentioned on the reports page, the guide in this case has been less than respectful of other's water, so it didn't surprise me to hear that someone may have chewed on his ear a little. But come on, pulling a gun on him??

I can't tell you how many times I have had guides and private boats pull in my hole over twenty five years since I have had my boat. I have carried a gun since Vietnam. No fish or hole is worth pulling a gun on some one. I think some one will be going to jail!!!!! They should have their fishing lic taken away for life!!!!

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Tight Lines!!

Had one incedent in Alaska where guns were pulled by guides from a different operation thinking they owned a certain river. State patrol did a sting operation with a hidden camera in a lunch box. When guns were pulled on them by the same crew they flashed their badges and hauled them off to prison. That operation now no longer exists. Sounds like somthing state patrol may have to do around here, unfortunately.

Listen all you wing nuts! I remember years ago on the cowlitz when at Blue Creek a guy kept crossing lines with another and the one who was crossing was a neophyte and the other dude said you'd better figure it out,casting,he'd un-tangle and the dude would'nt even say"thanks for the help"so the vet pulled a piece and shot the guy in the leg! ouch! a 22 and the guy went out hollering, I've been shot!, the shooter calmlypacked up and left and was long gone before the boys in blue showed up.
We're all forgetting we are suppose to be enjoying ourselvse! sharing a common bond! FISHING! Fewer fish more folks...we're dealing with mother nature! and she throws us more curves than Nolan Ryan!
You're suppose to be Un-winding not winding up! Don't let One bad apple spoil the whole bunch! Do not be Discouraged because of a Irresponsable Gun Owner.The the movie"River Runs Thru It", The closer you get to the Masses the chance of encountering A-Holes greatly increases,rapidly! Nuff said! RE:LAX
or EX:LAX!

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Drue Luna

...reading all these posts about altercations makes me glad for the existence of small, unfloatable zipperlips. A weekend on the bogey is about as pleasant as standing under I-5 at rush hour...

In terms of seeing someone do something illegal, call the cops, they want your help and will gladly meet the guys at the take out and bust em, espicially if they are keeping more than their fair share of fish. There isn't any secret spots on a drift boat. In terms of people low holeing, there are one of three options, stay there and shut up, stay there and catch a fish and brag about it (espicially effective if the person who low holed you is a guide) or pull anchor and go like crazy and beat the jerk at his own game. Some guides seem to think that first water is a must, but there is nothing like wating behind someone, and then dropping into their hole and catching a fish right behind them. Also don't be afraid to call a guide on low holeing you. A guide would have to be pretty stupid to say much in front of customers espicially when it's obvious that he's in the wrong.

So just how crowded are your rivers over there. I fish the salmon in Idaho and while I have been low holed a few times, guns have never been brought out to my knowledge. I have seen guides with the attitude that they own the river..and rookies that just don't know better.. Fishing is for relaxing

That particular day, there were about 5 or 6 boats in a ten mile drift ... lots of room!

Just a thought to those who might feel inclined to "Brandish" a gun just to make a point following some slight, whether real or imagined. I like many others may quietly, emphasis on quietly be in possesion of a firearm while on the river. Not so much to assure first rights to any small stretch or water, but because of past experience with other humans encountered while fishing. Maybe you can think of a time when you wish you had a gun with you. I tend to fish alone from time to time. Yeah I know, there's safety in numbers but some times it's just impossible to pry my buddy's ass out of his chair. I feel it is my right and obligation to protect my self from any credible threat of bodily harm with any and all means available to me. If that means busting a cap on some asshole who thinks he can get his way by "Brandishing", then so be it!!!
I am normaly a calm and levelheaded type of person but irresponsible use of firearms just pisses me off!!!
If you are so inclined as to this activity, just be aware that there are many like me who don't show the piece until it's time to use it.

Whadaya think?
Nuff said
GRUMPYR