Fished Esthwaite on Saturday and was dismayed at the attitude/ignorance of some anglers there. I'd be interested to hear the opinions of some of our experienced boat hands.....

After a drift through the South Basin - and a few fish caught - we returned to the top of the drift to have another run through. Unbelievably, as we commenced operations, as many as half a dozen boats gravitated towards us and anchored up in front! They were packed ridiculously tightly and - this is what really gets me - casting in all directions; front of the boat, back of the boat, end of the boat, you name it.
We set out course down the inside, being careful to keep a decent distance, but had to effectively reverse out when a boat 20 yards in front and to one side edged forwards right into our path! At this point I, ahem, 'had a word' and they moved back out with comments about us thinking we 'owned the water'. I found this a bit annoying to say the least

To be fair, a couple of the boats were on a group trip from north of the border and they were minding their own business having the crack.....but why do some peole feel they have to try and cast into your path when they see you nobble a fish or three?

Am I out of order, or should these people learn to fish properly??

__________________
The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

To answer your question: They should learn to fish properly!

There's not much that's more frustrating than when you find a drift with a few fish, you go back to fish it again and everyone floods in. They should do their own investigating!

It happens in carp fishing. You catch a fish by keeping an area quiet and lightly baited, only for the rest of the lakes' residents to upsticks and cast into your swim from either side. Not only will you not catch anymore, they have made too much noise so they wont either. Too many sheep in fishing.

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http://141207.blogspot.com/
http://www.haddonestate.co.uk/rivers/rivers.php
http://www.thepeacockatrowsley.com/fishing.html

I call them SHEEP

I am afraid this is all too often the case. More noticeable on "Fisheries" than on Wilder Waters. Why?........ignorance plays a big part. This thing about "must catch" competitiveness, easy fix,combination of all these & more I reckon. Me I just do not go to these places anymore. Simple really works for me & my fishing has improved all the more for it.
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

The standard of behaviour in boat fishing is definitely getting worse. What you experienced was some of the most reprehensible as anchoring in front of a drifting boat is about as bad as you can get next to motoring up someone's drfit at full chat.

Sadly, you may have to learn a few techniques to prevent other anglers knowing that you have caught a fish as the sight of a bending rod will cause a stampede in your direction.

First, if you are heading for a place where you know there are fish let the other boats go out first before quietly motoring to your chosen spot. If you hook a fish at the start of a drift try to play it behind the boat and hold the rod low to prevent it jumping at the end of a drift play the fish in front. The splash of a fish in play or a fish being netted can be seen over a long distance and some will have binoculars to look for bending rods. Try to avoid shouting in excitement as sound carries a long way over water.

If there is a persistent offender I'd take a note of the boat number and have a word with the warden or ranger.

Sadly there is a bit of a yob culture on some stillwaters and I don't see this changing in a hurry.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

[QUOTE=sewinbasher;421433] Try to avoid shouting in excitement as sound carries a long way over water.

Ha Ha!! That might be a tough one for me - I'm like Robson Green when I finally hook a fish, me! Never mind keeping from shouting, I'll have to make sure they can't see me doing a little jig in the boat.....

M

__________________
The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

I have experienced another situation. When anchored off Denny Island on Chew, my boat partner and I casting dries toward the trees, the occupants of a boat on a drift, that probably started somewhere near Wick Green, started yelling that we were in their path. We had been there for the best part of an hour so they were told to foxtrot oscar.
The world isn't big enough for some people.

This is unfortunately what you can expect over the weekend on Esthwaite, it used to happen to me, so I go on weekdays now, when the Fishmongers are at work.

The only time at weekend when good order is applied, is when there is a comp taking place. If you can get there when a round of the Esthwaite Open is being held, you will have an excellent day.

It can also happen on Windermere, Coniston and Ullswater.

Caddisman

I've had my fair share of encounters where 'rude-lings' are concerned, both from the bank and the boat. This is one reason why I've given up boat fishing, people seem to have a distinct knack of motoring as close as 25 metres whilst drifting. And it's happened on Esthwaite water!

On the bank I've had people coming a bit too close for comfort and casting right next to my line if they see me catching, now I travel light and keep on the move. That way I can just grab my gear and find another spot if other anglers start to get on my nerves.