Lincoln Blanco

There is nothing in the world like fishing.

You wake up earlier than usual, throw your fishing clothes on, grab your fishing gear you so patiently got ready the night before, head out to the river or lake, haul your gear down to where you’re going to be fishing, get comfortable and toss in the line, and that’s when it happens. No sooner than you can set your line, people start creeping out of the woodwork. You suddenly feel like you’re in the movie, “Night of the Living Dead.” Instead of them being zombies, they’re fishermen. And instead of them chanting that classic movie saying, “Brains, Brains,” they’re chanting, “Fish, Fish, Fish.” You see them heading right towards you, to your little area, invading your fishing bubble. We have all experienced it. In fact, you’ll have to admit, you have even asked yourself, “Why are they coming right here, when there’s open space over there.” There would be no one around, and all of a sudden they’re 10 people right next to you. All throwing their fishing lines in the same spot.

Or how about when you’re fishing in your boat, and five boats come within five feet of you. Then when you reel in your line, you end up reeling in the line of someone else right next to you. Then that person has the audacity to give you a dirty look. I mean, I can see if the fishing derby was going on. Yeah, it still stinks everyone fishing so close to each other. But come on, there is a $10,000 dollar fish in that water, I’m not going to let you catch it.

So I pose the question. Is there a fishing etiquette manual, and where can I find it? I’ve looked high and low, nothing. What are the rules for fishing, the do’s and don’ts? For instance, what is close, too close and not close enough? Now I feel, and your opinion may differ from mine, that unless we came fishing together. Please don’t stand so close that I can read the label of your bait. I’m not saying I own the river, or own this spot, but I was here first. Now once and awhile, you come across that courtesy fishermen. Who sees someone coming, and feel they have enjoyed that spot enough, so they move on. Here is an idea, I know with the creation of texts messages and emails. That verbal communication is becoming extinct. But how about inquiring, “Do you mind if I fish here?” Now according to section 1, paragraph 2 of this just now written fishing etiquette manual, that if a $10,000 fish is in the water, all bets are off. But still, what are the rules?

The truth is, there are no rules. It’s all common courtesy, and common sense. For example, if you see someone fishing in a spot, you find another spot. Or at least give them their space. If you see someone catching fish, it doesn’t necessarily mean to run over there and horn in on their action. Trust me, that’s not the only spot in the whole wide river and lake where the fish are at. Also if you are approaching boats fishing, slow down. The fish are not impressed by how big of a wave you can make, or how fast you can get there.

People seem to forget why it is we go fishing. To relax and get away from the monotony of everyday living. We are all fortunate to live in a place, where in five -to- minutes from our home, we can be fishing at the lake or river in no time.

For those of you visiting the valley reading this. You guys are fortunate enough to know of a great place to catch great fish, and experience great local people. So show thy fellow fishermen some common courtesy, and treat them how you would want to be treated. So you both can enjoy what you came to do, and that is fishing. And always remember folks, it’s called fishing and not catching.