rude people

[kayakfisherman]

I don't normally participate in the ongoing conversations on this site, but really enjoy learning from other

people's experiences. I could not avoid this subject because it is so rich with feeling. I fish Taney 3-4 days

almost every week during the winter. I try to pick the coldest days because I know it is less crowded and I

have the benefit of being able to pick those days (semi-retired). Yes, there are some rude people out there

but most just don't know better and I presume it is unintentional. I can forgive and look the other way when

the average person who enjoys fishing makes an honest mistake and gets too close and just is caught up in

his/her enthusiasm for the sport. However, I hold guides to a much higher standard!! Just last week a guiding

company who basically has assumed ownership of a stretch of water between outlets one and two all winter

and plants there clients in the same spot all day long and travel back and forth across the river as if it were

there own private highway did the unforgivable. They waited until I was in a spot almost directly across from

them and proceeded to walk their client across within a few feet of were I was fishing and set him up to cast

into the bank. I realize they are just trying to make a living, and sometimes it can be a hard way to make a

living, but if they can't be good role models for ethical streamside behavior, by golly who can! This is not

the first time this guiding company has done this to me this winter. Normally, I just swallow it and move on

but this time I just couldn't resist commenting on this site. I don't own the river but I sure wish when a guide wants to do this he would pick an appropriate time to cross within a few feet of you, because I am sure he would notlike it if somebody did that to him and messed up his client's fishing experience. I don't believe I will changethe world by jumping into this conversation but I do hope I raise their awareness level by one notch or so. I didn't say anything (but of course I gave the usual death stare) because I didn't want to embarrass the guidein front of his client but I sure wish they were better role models. Enough said. Tight lines and lets work hard to make this experience fun for everyone. Bob

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Well said Bob! I too can forgive the average person for their behavior. Most don't realize what they're doing and apologize as soon as they realize it. Besides, I'm sure in my time I have stepped on a few toes as well.

But guides ARE a different subject. They are suppose to be professionals and are held to a higher standard. I think I've had a run in with they same guiding company you speak of.

John

[Phil Lilley]

All guides should be held to a higher standard. And they should care what people think of them. Word of mouth can rocket a business to success and it could bring it to it's knees. And with internet boards now, word of mouth carries much further, faster.

I would rather not anyone mention names here...

Why would a guide set his clients one either side of the river (lake) and walk between them- back and forth- sounds like he's making more work for himself unless he has some purpose in it.

[Danoinark]

I think that if this happens to me (fishing in a spot that a guide wants for his client) then I intend to hold my ground (water) whether I catch fish or not. If they want to cast into my spot then I intend to continue to cast and hope they get hung up on my line. This eventually might cure them of trying to take over. For some reason I just feel I can hold out longer. Gotta remember to bring me a sandwich.

[roundtrout]

I appreciate that this forum has maintained a sense of respect and decorum. I think Phil's right to ask that no names be specifically mentioned. Hopefully, any culprits will also be perusing these topics and tactfully get the message! For others, it may simply provide an education in an aspect of which they were unaware. Some folks will never learn and others will never change. Still, its important that these things be brought up and discussed and (hopefully) remedied! Its a great way to inform and educate as well as make great contacts! I know there's always more for me to learn.

Bob