JG...What you see on our local rivers down here is totally the norm even though it is vastly different from the rivers up north, the Thompson, all other fly fishing rivers in the world, and even rivers as close to the lower mainland as the Coquihala R. when fly fishing for summer runs (when its open).
The Vedder was the birthplace of the "river mechanic" when steelheading. Long ago people got used to parking themselves on the Fraser when bar fishing with their tool kit-like tackle box and this practice found its way to the Vedder as mentioned many, many years ago. Today it's accepted and people try not to make a fuss about it. As long as you go the river expecting it to be this way it's no bid deal.
Bigger problems arise when people leave systems like the Vedder to try other systems, especially the one labelled classified waters like the Dean, the T, and other northern rivers. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the regs even have an etiquette section in them to help people understand the appropriate way to fish these waters. I guess fishermen who regularly fish classified waters expect others to know the proper etiquette because if you cork someone and pick up a fish in front of them you better start running if you don't want to hear an earful.
The bottom line is just quickly learn what is the acceptable way of fishing the river you're going to and don't sweat the little stuff.