Stream Etiquette

Just a quick question for the board regarding stream etiquette. I went steelhead fishing for the first time ever this past weekend. My folks live just across the road from 16 mile and we were there for the holiday weekend. I hooked about 6 fish over the two days fished and landed 3. I hooked into a sizeable fish on 16 mile, probably in the 8lbs+ range, fought him for about 10 minutes before a couple of guys spin fishing about 15 feet upstream of my started breakin my balls about fighting him too long and to just "get 'em in". I felt embarrassed and thought maybe I was crossing a boundary with them and didn't know better since it was my second day ever. So I tried to muscle the fish and get his head turned downstream in hopes of playing him more in my immediate section of water and at that point my tippet snapped. I was really dissapointed. I felt like it would be one thing if I fished all the time but this was my first time and I probably wont be back till next year. Was I playing the fish too long or were these guys just being rude? Be honest, I'm a big boy and if I was in the wrong I will just know better next time. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

First of all whats to long? Second what lb. tippet or line were you using? I know I like to get them in as soon as I can and I have lost a few. I have been using 8 & 10 lb. floro. with my 9ft. fly rod this year and have had good luck. I learned to check my tippet after every fish for being frayed. If I find anything that doesn't feel right off it comes and a new one goes on. Thats the weakest link between you and the fish so you need a good tippet and good knots.

Ten minutes (really) is a long time to have a steelhead on.  You'll learn to get them in quicker with the more you catch.  It certainly doesn't give someone a reason to be a jackoff.  Don't pay attention to them.  Most people should be willing to help and coach you thru it.  Don't be afraid to use side pressure, backing up while pumping the rod if need be.

i was using 4x flouro for tippet on a 9 ft. 8 wt. rod. I know i could have used some side pressure, im new to steelheading not flyfishing, but i just could not get him to turn his head out of the current. Better luck next time!!! I was just ****ed, because like I said before its not like i do this every weekend and I would have ample opportunity in the future to hook a sizeable fish. Thanks for comments, nice to know I wasnt in the wrong.

The streams are there for everybody. If you got a liscense and fair hook the fish you can play it any way you want. You are there to fish and enjoy yourself. If I don't like the way people are fishing around me I move. They could do the same. Everyone up there has there own way, If you keep it someone will complain, if it breaks off they complain about leavin jewelry on the fish, if you net it with the wrong net someone will complain, hell even if you release it someone will have something to say about it. I would'nt deliberately continue to play the fish if not necessary, but whatever it takes who cares, You paid , your legal, tuff crap for those guys. Glad you enjoyed yourself not everybody acts that way.

I say fish however you want just so its Legal
 
On a recent trip to one of the East Side streams  I watched a guy fight a fish for about 20 minutes  ..  I didn't mind it gave me a break   Finally he said  How about a net fellas I know when I'm whipped  LOL  One of the guys I was fishing with netted the fish ..  The guy put it on his stringer #3  Left the hole to us and said  Have fun fellas.......
 
To each his own......

The past weekend was my first time fishing for steelies... me and a buddy of mine fished right at the elk access.... we arrived shortly after 10 am sunday and were on our way out a little after noon... I feel the fight is great and was very enjoyable to have a fish like that on the end of my line.... Our two largest catchs were 27 and 30 inchers

I always offer to net a fish for someone if they're struggling. Those guys were being total toolbags. Ignore them, they didn't have an 8lb fish hooked did they? Just ignore and smile.

Fellas, thanks for all the words of encouragement. It's nice to know that I wasnt in the wrong and that there are so many sporting gentlemen out there that adhere to a silent code of ethics on the stream. I too am sorry that a couple of guys had to spoil that fight, but overall I had a great experience and am defintely hooked. I have already put in for an entire week off next fall and will be bringing my buddy along to share in the fun. It will be his first time as well. Thanks again for everything and look forward to seeing you guys on the water next fall. I know I wont bust chops for anyone playing a fish....