This is a fishing etiquette inquiry.  I gotta ask who was in error......
 
I was fishing Oak Orchard, recently.  If you have ever fished the Oak, you know that Archer's Hole is a good place to start, even though fish can be had throughout the stream.  Also, NY rules state you cannot start fishing until 30 minutes before sunrise, but that's not really my issue.  You may also know that the stream is dam-controlled.  When they stop the flows over the dam, the water level reduces dramatically and getting a drift becomes difficult.  Some folks tend to sit this out and resume fishing when the stream returns to normal conditions.  For me, I just fish anyway.  I have caught fish in these conditions, so see no reason to stop.  This cycle can take around 20-30 minutes.  If you decide to sit this time out, do you lose your fishing spot?  To me, this is the same as going to your vehicle for lunch, or taking an extended break to rest your weary bones. 
 
What does everyone think?   
 

You walk away from a spot it's up for grabs

Mountian Man
You walk away from a spot it's up for grabs

AGREED!

That's the only logical thing that can happen otherwise no one else would get to fish except the first people to get there in the morning. Late comers would be at the mercy of those folks who left and returned to reclaim their spot. 
 
 

steelie30
 
 
What does everyone think?   
 

 
someone barked at you, eh?
Those that frequent popular NY salmon holes are 87.557% Neanderthal
 
 
 
 
..L.T.A.

Move your feet, lose your seat!

What if I hook into a large salmon and I have to leave my spot to land him and I come back to where I left my sling pack and where I was fishing and another person is fishing there what should I do?
 

go-n-fishn
What if I hook into a large salmon and I have to leave my spot to land him and I come back to where I left my sling pack and where I was fishing and another person is fishing there what should I do?
 

Have had this happen a number of times.  I don't say a thing..just return to the spot and resume fishing.  Each time this has happened the guy has moved.  Sometimes we chat.  Never copped an attitude about it.  No biggie.  Frankly I'm more perturbed over guys who park themselves in one spot in a highly desirable zone and never move all day long.  Based on my (rather long) experience....they're missing out.  Better to have multiple go-to spots and to explore a bit

Yeah if you're leaving to fight/chase a fish, thats totally different than leaving the spot to go take a break.  Unless someone is just sitting there eating their lunch, once they move it's up for grabs.