Okay, here is my whine.
Some of the posts here are kind of unpleasant to read. I like this forum. I have learned alot about equipment, techniques and in particular fishing conditions. And I enjoy the exchange of ideas and the debates. However, some people get too preachy for my taste. In particular, I almost get the feeling that you have to be a member of the United Church of Short Floaters to post here or to fish the Vedder without getting criticized.
For example, I like to flyfish on the Vedder and I like reading the flyfishing posts, but a lot of times I feel very defensive when I read all those accusations that flyfishing is just flossing. FYI, I have tried flyfishing with a bare hook, but I have never hooked a fish in the mouth that way. Not very scientific, but it leads me to believe that bit of wool or feathers must make them bite and that I am not just flossing them. Sure, I get the occasional snag while flyfishing, but if I keep my adreneline in check and resist the urge to yank on a bump this rarely happens. Also, because I use small hooks, the hooks will usually bend and pull out.
Another example of the effect that this forum has on me: I stay away from fishing at Keith Wilson Bridge. Quite frankly, I am afraid one of you guys will take a picture of me in that crowd and post it with "snagger" in the description. Or some of you may lump me in with some Eastern European, Asian or American group of allegedly "unethical" fisherman.
My final example is related to bottom bouncing. Some people here are very narrowminded and rant to much about this method of fishing. It is not illegal. It is not unethical. People have written books on it (Bill Herzog - Drift Fishing) I would say that this is the predominant method in Washington and Oregon (go to
www.steelheader.net; interestingly, some of the American drift fishers are of the opinion that a long leader is necessary to avoid snagging and that a person using a leader less than 2 feet makes it easier to belly snag a fish). I haven't tried bottom bouncing, but I appreciate that flyfishing with a sink tip is a comparable method. Personally, I like the direct feel to the hook; I like feeling the bottom of the river; I get excited when my line bump into fish (let's me know they are there, but will also scare them away; forces me to adjust my drift); I get exhilarated when they take the hook and I feel the immediate tug of the line in my fingers (IMO, beats watching a bobber all day).
BTW, have you ever considered that short floating may be contributing to some of the problems in the Vedder. Bottom bouncing, flyfishing and no doubt spey fishing all require alot of space to do properly. Only float fishing permits you to fish shoulder to shoulder and to cast over each other. Read the posts of the American anglers on Steelheader.net when they come to the Vedder. When they come up, they have to go to Fred's to pick up the gear and techniques so that they can fish in the combat fishing conditions.
FYI, I do float fish. I even cured some roe recently. I think that float fishing can be more productive than fly fishing. However, I just enjoy fighting a fish on a fly rod more(cheap reel which requires palming, a series of lines, knots and loops which could give way any second and an 8 wt rod which will make me proud the day it blows up while fighting a big chum). Maybe my next casting rod needs to be lighter weight for me to enjoy baitcasting.
Anyways, I hope I didn't offend anybody.
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Topic: Whining! (Read 12973 times)