Things are looking up....

its not just you, i noticed it also...even though this is only my fourth year on the tribs for steel, this year people have been a lot more curtious and helpful. Two weeks ago a man was fishing a stacked up pool and was hooking up constantly with mini-foos, i didnt pick up any mini-foos yet and he offered me one i said thank you and tossed it to me and i started hooking up and then when he left i offered to give it back and he said that one wasnt his and it was ok because a man a few days ago gave it to him when he wasnt catching anything..

Definitely agree Mike.  3 trips to Erie from Butler Co. so far this year = only 1 or 2 knuckleheads.  Gotta say too, that the friendliest people I've encountered on the streams this year - and in past years - have been guys from Erie too.  Not sure where all this goofy stuff about "locals" comes from, but most of the knucklheads I encounter seem to be from other places. 
 
Definitely have noticed far less trash along the streams too.  Should go without saying, but thanks to the guys who take time to pick up after themselves and others. 

and all is right with the world...next thing ya know gas prices will be dropping, the Bills will win the superbowl and politicians will have kids in the military...crazy world we live in...
 
seriously though, that's great to hear.  I don't fish the tribs much anymore but I'm glad that people are catching on.

Most people I have talked to have been polite with the exception of a fellow who was lining fish and got rather snippy with me when I told him what he was doing could get him a ticket if the WCO caught him.  Outside of that, most everyone has been friendly or at least not hostile.  I have noticed a big increase in people who seem to be wondering around the streams pretty clueless.  I believe as the popularity of steelhead fishing increases, more people who have never fished for them are on the streams, especially the lower sections and they really don't know what to do.  A few have wanted help, others seem to be oblivious.
 
I have seen a few snaggers this fall and called them for keeping snagged fish.  One fellow said he did not know you cannot keep snagged fish and one fellow argued with me about calling out another person for roping a snagged fish.  His take on it was, the fish are put here for people to catch and it really does not matter how you catch them and I should just keep my mouth shut. 
 
Outside of those couple of unpleasant encounters, I have had a pretty good time fishing this fall.

MackJ,
 
All I said was you are not supposed to keep snagged fish and this other guy jumped in my face.  Part of the reason I spoke to the guy who was snagging and keeping fish is that it is wrong and illegal, but also to be helpful.  I honestly did not want him to get a ticket.  The guy who got in my face for talking to the guy who was snagging fish was not the one doing the snagging and he was the one who took an offensive tone wtih me.  I did not get in a fight with him about it.
 
I do not have a problem with people keeping fish, all I ask is that they catch them fairly and only take what they can use and leave the rest for others to enjoy.  You don't have to keep every fish you catch, especially if you really are not planning to eat the fish or give it to someone who will.
 
As for different skill levels, there are always people more skilled than we are and less skilled.  That is a fact, but not being skilled is no excuse for breaking the law.  If you don't know how to fish for these fish, or fish in general, take some time to learn.  If you care about the sport, it is not too much to ask to try to improve your skills.  It is quite simple, just watch the guys who are catching fish, and see what they are doing.  Ask them and most will tell you.  I know I have asked people what they were using, how much weight they had on, what type of hooks or flies they used, how to get a good drift, etc... With just a little time your skill level can jump tremendously.  Besides, as we learn from each other, we all improve and at the same time get to meet some interesting people.
 
To give you an example, a few years ago I was fishing the project waters and was having pretty good luck hooking steelies on a black woolly bugger.  I landed about a dozen or so fish and then had to leave to go to work or a meeting... On the way back to my truck, I crossed the stream and headed out.  A guy who was fishing across from me called to me and said he would give me $1000 if I could show him how to catch fish like I did.  I figured he was joking and I had no plan of taking any of his money, I simply pointed out that the fish were litterlly right at his feet along the shelf he was standing on.  I gave him a couple of flies and had him change his drift and he hooked up.  He was happy and I left feeling good as well.  All I am saying is if you want to know what to do, ask.

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ORIGINAL: mikeg

Things look like they are changing for the better on the Erie tribs. There seems to be A LOT less trash lying around. People also seem more curtious.

Just this morning, I was fishing a run by myself and was unhooking a fish just down from where I caught her. A guy came around the corner and asked if I was fishing there. I told him yes but he was welcome to join in and he said great and we both hooked a few more.

That has happend a few times more than normal this year.

Things just seem a lot more friendly out there with less people arguing and hoging spots.

I've been seeing more and more people helping each other out as well. One guy gave up a perfect drift postion to another guy that was from out of town and got him hooked up with his first steelhead.

I saw a young man helping some elderly man down the creek bed while his friends raced ahead of him to fish.

Is it just me or do people seem to be catching on, and just enjoying their time on the water more?

Somebody must have forgot to tell the Amish guys over at 12 Mile the other day, without a doubt the rudest anglers I have seen on the tribs yet!

Thats good

I believe you are correct about the Amish and fishing for them is about food. 

"harvest mode"  

Whats wrong with the dougnut club??????


I have also noticed a slight increase in streamside ediquette

I don't have a problem with them ,but you should see them hunting ,they look like some kind of ninja death squad.

I have to admit it. When fishing the flood control lakes in Ohio I have to take my straw hat off to them. they can catch saugeye. And believe it or not had one offer to give me one (which I declined) . I'll have to say though they're boats look like centipedes on the water with all the rods poking out. No offense intended. Not meaning to get off track - yes I've noticed an improvment on the streams for the most part.  Dave