stream etiquete

Rapala,
 
Just show folks the same cuteousy that you would expect, but don't always expect the same in return. Due to the crowded nature of the tribs, fishing in close proximity to another has become a much more acceptable, or at least common practice. A little patience ( they're still just fish ), will make your day far more enjoyable.
 
It is OK to keep your legal limit if you chose. The fishery is far from endangered by over harvest. Ignore any looks, or comments, you are within your rights, and causing no harm to the fishery.

just keep males is what i was also told if i was going to keep something. ill keep a female in dec/jan for some eggs once in a while. Rapalla even if you try to be the perfect sportmans .... there still gonna be a few jagoffs that dont care but dont let them ruin your time fishing. there will be plenty of holes to fish and lots of fish to catch. 

life can be hard, but fishing should not be.  i really enjoy being out.  just don't want to mess someone else's day because i was inconsiderate.  thanks for the advice.

ditto to what the others have said.  due to my job, i rarely get to erie on a saturday or sunday.  usually get there on a wednesday or friday.  late september and most of october will be a mad house at the easy access points even during the week.  on weekdays by late november, december & march (and january & february when the streams are fishable), i've found that even the popular holes aren't too bad.  if you're looking for solitude, park at an access & take a walk.  wear your polarized glasses and look at fast & skinny water.  might not be as many fish in those spots as the deeper holes, but you're likely to be the only one casting to them. 
 
also, when the reports say that the water is unfishable (due to high levels, lack of clarity, etc.) if you do a little homework and think logically you'll find some active fish and likely not too many other guys around. 

thanks guys

Treat others as you want them to treat you.  Easy rule of thumb.  I usually don't mind fishing with people.  Sometimes you learn a few things and trade a fly or two.  Enjoy the streams.

ORIGINAL: Bughawk  Easy rule of thumb. 

 
Does this mean that I can beat the people around me with something as long as that something is smaller in diameter than my thumb?  From what I have seen, this could improve the combat fishing areas dramatically.
 
Rapala,
 
The best advise I can give you is don't expect anyone to display stream ettiquette and you won't be disappointed.  It seems that for every great person that I meet on the stream there is a VW bus full of ****holes to erase any thoughts that I have that there are some decent folks out there.  People loose their minds and grip on human decency when they see "regular" trout, let alone 5+ pound trout.  Avoid weekends and walk away from the easy access points and things get better, but still not great.
 
The NY tribs are not as bad for crowding, but the folks are even less friendly across the boarder.
 
Enjoy.