Lake Newell Conflict

[rdjohnson]

The most bizarre day! Can someone confirm “right to access” on a RECREATIONAL fishing day? We had a guy that decided to spot and lock 10 yards in front of us while we were trolling/bottom bouncing! (Keep in mind that he came from behind us and stopped in our path.) Me and the other 2 in our boat were ****ed. If we were not paying close attention, (ie fish on) we could have easily t boned him! We asked what the hell he was doing and his response was as quoted above (right to access). Of course, words were exchanged. We have experience on the walleye trail and understand this right to access during a tournament. But there were no other boats within a 1/4 mile of us! Sure hope this isn’t a common occurrence on non-tournament days! Wish we could have paid more attention to the boat registration number!! Question; Is there a better way to handle a situation like this?

[Wes_G]

Wonder if it was any of the boats that pulled up on me last weekend. We have a hump that we always hit first when we get to the lake. There was already a boat on the south side of it but I fish the north side. Over the next half hour we crossed paths, pleasantries were exchanged. Then within 10 minutes 2 more boats pull up. I have never fished a small hump in the middle of the lake with 3 other boats and it's not necessary as its a big lake with lots of humps to fish. I left and made a run further south to another spot within a few minutes of them puling up. No sooner do I get to the new spot but within 10 minutes one of the boats pulls up beside me again. There wasn't another boat within miles and they pulled up within 100' of me. This has never happened to me out there. It was 8am and not many boats on the lake.

Everyone has the right to be out there but its pretty common courtesy to give guys some space. It's already bad enough with all the dudes/bros and their wake surf boats who are totally oblivious to anyone but themselves. At least fall is in the air and within the next couple weeks most will be putting their boats away!

I don't have any better ways to handle this situation. Sometimes idiots need to be told how big of idiots they are being.

[pikergolf]

Anytime money gets involved in outdoor activities it becomes a chit show. Probably competitors in the walleye circuit and just had to know why you had stopped at that particular spot. I find these guys to be particularly obnoxious. Money does funny things to common sense as well as common curtesy. Heard similar story that happened on Forty Mile, a family was doing quite well and a tourney style boat pulled up within 15ft and scoped the area they were fishing. Fifteen feet, good grief.

[58thecat]

I just say hi and how’s their day going and move to another area. Found that it’s not worth getting worked up and you won’t fix their ways.

[Curtsyneil]

I never have an issue if a boat moves on top of me it’s not my lake and people can do whatever they want. As for the unwritten rule about respect and space on a lake. Yup some people follow that unwritten rule and others don’t. When your out on the water it’s suppose to be peaceful and enjoyable so don’t let some ass clown ruin your day. Move on and find another spot or just stay out and let them move on it’s all we can do.

[HL_transplant]

Poor etiquette isn't anything you can stop people from. Just move along as much as it sucks.

[Walleyedude]

Really not much you can do about a situation like that. There's jerks out there, but there's also people who just genuinely don't know any better. Or maybe, they know the lake just as well as you, great minds think alike, so you both had the same program in mind that morning. Well known "community spots" always tend to attract a crowd. It's a big lake, you can always find fish or maybe use it as an opportunity to find some new spots you haven't fished before.

I have people pull up on me all the time. (Maybe it's my sparkly "tourney style boat" that attracts them lol.) I never let it get to me. I prefer to be friendly, strike up a conversation about fishing, and see what I can learn or if I can help them. Doesn't seem to matter what kinda boat they're in, some people are just jerks with a chip on their shoulder, but 95% are good people that are just out there trying to catch some fish and enjoy the day.

Shoot the breeze for a while, work the area and move around a bit, and go on with your day. Like others have said, life's too short to get worked up about stuff like that.

[riden]

If you’re bottom bouncing, you’re only going 2 mph. I just troll around them.

Not sure how you do it. When I bottom bounce I’m usually trolling 100 yards minimum before I turn around. That’s a lot of lake to keep to yourself.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by rdjohnson

The most bizarre day! Can someone confirm “right to access” on a RECREATIONAL fishing day? We had a guy that decided to spot and lock 10 yards in front of us while we were trolling/bottom bouncing! (Keep in mind that he came from behind us and stopped in our path.) Me and the other 2 in our boat were ****ed. If we were not paying close attention, (ie fish on) we could have easily t boned him! We asked what the hell he was doing and his response was as quoted above (right to access). Of course, words were exchanged. We have experience on the walleye trail and understand this right to access during a tournament. But there were no other boats within a 1/4 mile of us! Sure hope this isn’t a common occurrence on non-tournament days! Wish we could have paid more attention to the boat registration number!! Question; Is there a better way to handle a situation like this?

Are you suggesting that Recreational fishers are bound to greater ethics than tournament fishers?
If I just say, "Hey, I'm a Pro", then I can be an Azz?

[rdjohnson]

After exchanging the unpleasantries we moved on as we were trolling. If he would have waited one minute we would have been through what I guess was “his” claimed honey hole. Still surprises me that someone would pass a moving boat, cut in front and anchor that close! Obviously he is not the smartest person on the lake and his lack of ethics are questionable to say the least. As what some of you AO members have expressed and I totally agree, that moving on to another area would be the best alternative. What I don’t agree with is striking up a pleasant conversation with a person who has proven to be a complete idiot!

Thanks to everyone that has expressed your opinions.

[Big Sky]

Originally Posted by Wes_G

At least fall is in the air and within the next couple weeks most will be putting their boats away!

This!!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

[Crankbait]

Fishing aside, he was in the wrong for creating a hazard on the water. Somehow, people think that there are no rules once in the water.

Did he create a wake when passing? How close? What side? Was his obstruction to your passage within reasonable distance?

I was standing in the Bow while a guide boat was literally over a mile away, and they decided to drift at me and then settle on where I was working a hole. They not only nearly knocked me down, but treated me as invisible to their site and deaf to my words.

[rdjohnson]

Originally Posted by Crankbait

Fishing aside, he was in the wrong for creating a hazard on the water. Somehow, people think that there are no rules once in the water.

Did he create a wake when passing? How close? What side? Was his obstruction to your passage within reasonable distance?

I was standing in the Bow while a guide boat was literally over a mile away, and they decided to drift at me and then settle on where I was working a hole. They not only nearly knocked me down, but treated me as invisible to their site and deaf to my words.

He passed us at approximately 30 ft on the starboard side with no wake. Looked like he was paying more attention to his sonar more than operating the boat safely. I will say anchoring 10 yards directly in front of a moving boat is not a reasonable distance.

[fish99]

We just keep on fishing when this happens and the other boat watching us catching fish after fish they get frustrated and move on.

[roper1]

I am glad you at least tried to educate the moron. 10 yards really is somewhat unrealistic & too close. While it's a big lake with lots of room, that applies to him also.

Some knob at the Crawling Valley launch had a 5th wheel holiday trailer parked in the approach while they fished off the dock Saturday. My wife did not allow me to go explain to them some small semblance of etiquette

[AlbertanGP]

Let out some extra line and pull right by them, swinging across their bow once you're past them. You'll collect all their gear. Reel it in and cut their line and keep going. I may or not be speaking from experience, but I can 100% confirm sparkly tournament boats attract morons.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

I just say hi and how’s their day going and move to another area. Found that it’s not worth getting worked up and you won’t fix their ways.

As much as it sucks you’re absolutely right! Too many crazy people out there who believe anything they do to others is justified if they think theyve been wronged somehow. No common sense or idea of proportional use of force.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by rdjohnson

What I don’t agree with is striking up a pleasant conversation with a person who has proven to be a complete idiot!

Thanks to everyone that has expressed your opinions.

I can't really argue with you there. In your situation it probably wouldn't have been a pleasant conversation for me either.

My point was that, in my experience anyway, most of the time it's more effective than starting a shouting match with some guy on the water. It's never a one size fits all situation though lol.

[old dog]

I just bottom bounce around them a few times. Usually get the hint. Also just go to another spot that doesn’t carry fish. And see it they show up. Lots of times they do and I leave them again and they usually hang out ther. Haha

[Hunter Trav]

I've had that happen to me numerous times as well. Best thing you can do is just troll around them, exchange plesantries and let them know you're trolling the structure and going to continue, and catch a fish right beside their boat. After you do this a few times they will usually leave...lol

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Hunter Trav

I've had that happen to me numerous times as well. Best thing you can do is just troll around them, exchange plesantries and let them know you're trolling the structure and going to continue, and catch a fish right beside their boat. After you do this a few times they will usually leave...lol

Yup. "Right to Access" works both ways, which IMO then reverts back to who was there first.

I mean I fished tourney where I *had* to fish from the bow to literally kick other boats out of the way as we trolled a sand flat on Lesser Slave. But there were a lot of big fish there and everyone knew it so you dealt with it. On any other day? Get a life buddy. You're not quitting your day job any time soon...

[Jamie Black R/T]

Gangsta Rap on 11 usually gets rid of them.

At least buy you a buffer....if not then seriously Id just move. I would do it by firing up the V8 and blowing every fish out of the area, but id still be the bigger man and just move.

[kingrat]

Originally Posted by Jamie Black R/T

Gangsta Rap on 11 usually gets rid of them.

At least buy you a buffer....if not then seriously Id just move. I would do it by firing up the V8 and blowing every fish out of the area, but id still be the bigger man and just move.

Yup crank the tunes and start taking clothes off, people clear out fast lol. This is my pet peeve, I hate people.

[AK47]

I have seen opposite situations way too often. I do not troll ever so I like anchoring and fishing the heck out of the spot I found trying different colors, lures, presentation, etc. More often then not if I have been anchored for awhile and especially if I start catching some I get circled by trolling boats who just stare at their sonars and pass right in front of you within my half casting distance or sometimes even closer. Sometimes casting at them almost hitting their boat gets some to respect the distance a bit more and some are just completely clueless and keep trolling circles around you. I feel if I am in the spot anchored and fishing at least keep your trolling within casting distance, first come, first serve as too say.
Back to OP post, anchoring in front of trolling boat of course is a dick move too, lets just give each other respectful spacing and everybody will be happy.

[Unregistered user]

Just back from Kookanusa Rexford area. Heard a story that last year, two boaters got into an argument at the ramp, one guy shot and killed the other right in front of his kids, walked back to his truck then blew his own brains out.

[AK47]

Originally Posted by Unregistered user

Just back from Kookanusa Rexford area. Heard a story that last year, two boaters got into an argument at the ramp, one guy shot and killed the other right in front of his kids, walked back to his truck then blew his own brains out.

Americans .... just looking to pull gun at any reason.

[Fishtracker]

These comments make me sick.

This is totally unacceptable no matter if it's officially open season on the lake. These people need to be told over and over until it sinks in!

The more we put up with this BS, the more it will happen and be expected, that its allowed.

Common sense is something some need to learn the hard way!

If they get the horns a few times, they will think twice next time...

[EZM]

I've had people pull up right beside me - literally to 2 boat lengths and cast right where I'm jigging.

I've had some guys wife, after they pulled up way too close to me and my boat, errantly cast her jig and minnow onto the top of my ball cap, and in an embarrassed panic, yank it back like she was setting a hook on a tuna ..... the jig came back like a bullet and hit the inside of my boat (sounded like we were getting shot at) and, as it bounced over on her second yank, it almost hit her (that could have been really really bad).

I just said, "I'm sure glad that jig wasn't stuck to my ear".... (they got the message and moved on).

And if I had a nickel for every one that pulls in front of my trolling path or trying to run between my planer boards and my boat I'd be rich.

Some people are just clueless, careless, or simply stupid ..... I can forgive these people.

The people I get upset about is those who know they pulled a jackpot move and justify it with some smart ass justification (like a tournament rule) or a nursery rhyme are just self centered jerks and need a lesson.

[rdjohnson]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

I have been fishing southern AB lakes/reservoirs for 56 years now and have never had any issues of this nature! Hopefully there won’t be a next time!

On the other hand, I am going to forget about this and head back out to Newell as me and my partners need to get out to tag some Class A eyes!

PS. I am sure we will see this dude out there again…we will stay clear.

Good luck fishing everyone and stay safe.

[tracker]

Here's another take on this for you. As a guy without a boat, I have to cast from shore while everyone and their dog in a boat cruises with 20 yards of shore in my casting lane. There is a whole lake out there that I can't touch but they need to parade past me and I have to stop casting so they can go by. I usually try to land one in front of, on or behind them to get the point across. Unfortunately you can't fix stupid.