Mind Your Manners
It was an absolutely beautiful winter day on Fairy Lake today. Darrell and I again met up with Adam and we hit the ice early, looking for crappie and pike. The snow was falling, the temperature was perfect for a comfortable day on the ice, and only a few other anglers were out.
We started where our best action was yesterday, and gradually worked our way towards the area that is usually most productive for us in the winter. It was an area we didn’t get to fish yesterday since other anglers were set up there, so we were excited to have a go today. We drilled holes, popped the finder in each one to check depth and look for fish, changed lures, and developed a strategy. We worked along, enjoying ourselves, and finding immense entertainment viewing fish on the Aqua-Vu AV Micro – again, I cannot stress enough how awesome this camera is! It was a perfect morning on the ice.
But fishing and fun quickly turned into irritation and disbelief with the presence of three new anglers. All morning long we had shared the lake with a few other anglers, everyone keeping their distance and respecting each group’s fishing area. This group, however, walked right out onto the ice without testing, headed straight for our area, and started checking the holes just behind us that we were giving a break. They then moved even closer, set up in the holes we had drilled, and one even set his hut up within about 10 feet of where Darrell was fishing. To say we were all shocked would be an understatement.
This group of anglers did eventually drill some of their own holes, but despite a very open lake with plenty of room for them to fish without getting in our way, one of these anglers then started checking OUR holes, in between our group. I do have quite a temper, which is often kept under lock-and-key, but at this point, I was shaking with anger. Could they really have been more ignorant?
It was quite clear that our morning was over. Yes, we could have asked these anglers to back off and leave our holes alone – after all, there was plenty of room and we should be allowed to give holes a break and be able to return to them, we weren’t fishing far away. Yet, I shouldn’t have to ask people to show some respect and manners when I am out fishing. It should just come naturally. We all decided it was best not to confront these guys about it because we were all extremely angry at this point and not sure where our emotions would lead us. We packed up and got off the lake. It was absolutely the worst experience I have ever had on Fairy Lake.
So to anyone reading this, please, remember to show some manners when you are fishing. It’s not that you can’t walk over to other anglers for a chat – our ATV angler from yesterday was back out this morning and come over for a chat. He was super nice, new to the area, and looking for some help on fishing the lake. That was awesome! We are all more than happy to help out in this case. This guy chatted with Adam, then went back to his hut and continued working in his own area. He did not feel the need to settle on top of us, and if he asked to fish close to us we would not have minded because he had been polite and considerate about it.
I fish lakes like Fairy Lake because they are smaller, generally not too crowded, and the great majority of anglers are friendly and respectful. It allows me to have a fun day, catch some fish, and relax. I also share information about these lakes because I want others to be able to have this experience. However, I’m starting to wonder if my blog is leading people to the lake that may ruin this wonderful atmosphere. And if it’s not leading them to the lake, am I telling other people that they will have a good time out there, only for them to have an experience like I had today? *sigh*
The fact that I am still worked up enough about this incident to write this post means it really had an impact on me. Normally I can leave it all behind, but when I encounter such ignorance, I can’t seem to get over it so easily. Perhaps I should assume that these anglers do not realize the impact of their actions. It still boggles my mind that we were only steps away on our walk back to the car when these guys moved into our just vacated holes.
Instead of continuing my rant, why don’t I cover some ice fishing etiquette rules?
- Start by drilling your own holes. If you don’t have a method of opening the ice, this doesn’t really apply to you. However, most anglers have augers and unless you paid an outfitter to put you in a spot and drill holes for you, you should at least drill one or two of your own to start. No need to be lazy.
- If you come across open holes, check to see if there are other anglers nearby that may be planning to return to those holes. Obviously, no one should hog space when it is limited, but everyone should have the right to rest a few holes if they are still close by. Ask those anglers if they are still using the holes. This is an easy way to avoid angering your fellow anglers. If there’s no one around at all, then go ahead and fish the holes.
- Respect each fishing group’s space. If you see three anglers fishing an area, head to somewhere that is not being fished. This doesn’t mean you have to go to a different part of the lake, but allow a reasonable boundary. Even if that is your number one spot, those anglers got there first so they have the right to fish it. You can wait your turn.
- NEVER walk between group members and check/fish their holes.
- Even if you think someone is packing up and you want to try their spot, wait until they have completely vacated that area. Do not assume that gear being put away means you can jump in on those holes. Many people like to consolidate the gear that has spread out over a day, then pick up one rod and get back to fishing.
I’m sure there are more points that other anglers would add, but this is a start. If you follow these, you will avoid causing misery for other anglers, and everyone can enjoy their outing.
I like talking to other anglers – exchanging information and sharing stories that produce smiles and laughter. Fishing is an experience like nothing else, and it goes beyond catching fish. It’s about the entire trip and the memories you make each time out. Maybe I have just been lucky to have so few outings that left a bad taste in my mouth like today’s trip did. It is a shame though, because I’ll bet other people get turned off of fishing with experiences like this.
If you read to the end of this, thank you. I’ll try to return to my more positive self now. Unfortunately, this may have been my last ice outing for a bit. With school starting tomorrow, and the warm weather in the forecast, I may not be able to find the time, or safe enough ice to get out. I will, however, remember the images of watching crappies swim around on my camera, and that will keep me smiling and sustain me until the next outing!
argosgirl
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Don’t Sweat it, A friend and I were Steelheading a few years back and getting into many fish despite slow action for everyone else. Then one guy came and stood right in between us (We were like 15′ apart)….
It happens, there are always ignorant people out there that do not seem to understand etiquette.
I look at my post now and think,’Did I really need to rant about that? It happens quite often’. But, maybe someone will read it and decide to change their ways. There are so many awesome anglers out there that I don’t need to waste my time worrying about it. On the bright side, I found out today that I’m addicted to watching fish on the camera 🙂