Frustration on Pool 4

I guess I did come off a little strong. I did not mention all the people I did have good conversations with, and there were lots! More often than not people would say something nice, or at least acknowledge your presence. I am refering to the ones that will look at you in the eye, not say “Hi” and force their way through you. I think 70 extra boats on the river, along with those who are not fishing in a tourney, makes it more than a little crowded. I fish there quite often, and I have noticed a change during tournament days. I chose to go where they weren’t.

Hey Chris you said that you have noticed a change in the tournament guys in the past couple years and that change was for the worst,
well I would have to say I have seen just the opposite. I have found that the tourney guys in the past couple years show alot more respect for fellow tourney anglers and weekend anglers.
but if a guy is willing to let one incident ruin his hole day on the river. then I would guess that he doesn’t have to many enjoyable days.
just my 2 cents

I’m am glad to see others feel differently!
Good deal! Maybe it is just me that needs to lighten up!

I thought I would chime in here quickly because I think Nate had a great idea. This time of year everyone is getting cabin fever and I think a lot of times the people we might look at as being rude or uncourteous might just be new to the river(not familiar with fishing in current) and not really sure of how things work. Of course there will always be the people that just don’t care but like Nate suggested if all of us that really try to do what is right politely point out to people what they did versus getting angry it will help educate new people. If they don’t know they did something wrong they will just assume they didn’t.
If we run into the ones that don’t care…just drop it all together because that is just they way they are.

Just a couple weeks ago I went out with Fireman1217 because he was new to the spring fishing on the river and didn’t want to make mistakes or tick anyone off, I thought that was really commendable.

Someone above mentioned posting a description of boats we observe poaching…this is a great idea…not so much to make them aware but to educate people that do use this site that there are people out there watching, it will also provide a description and/or license # so we can all keep our eyes open for repeat offenders.

Just some thoughts.
John

I enjoying fish 4 in the spring. Part of the deal is know you will have to contend and respect other boaters. In my time I have not had any issues with being “cut off”. I have not had any issues with people being inconsider and pushing into a spot that has produced for me.

When the fishing is slow and I see someone else being successful I will move into that general area, but I make sure that I dont jump on their fishing and really work at being respectful of space.

But I do have two points of rudness that seem to get to me. First, with all the boat around the dam area I really resent when you get the full speeders. Those people that race past you, even at at distance. But the wake is really disruptive, especially is you are trying a slow jig. Slow down!

The second is shore running. Last fall my son and I hired Durstin for a day. What a treat. Dustin worked hard and put on un a nice pod of fish. Low and behold as we are working the shore, here comes a boat running between us and disupting our fish. Why? You easily have 200 yards of river outside our boat.

So, slow down! Use the main channel. Dont hesitate to talk to you neighbors and us the TIP line.

My two cents.

Oh i have plenty of enjoyable days in my boat. 99.9% of the time i have a great time. But no saturday was not enjoyable. I expected the crowds, i expected bumber boats, i expect when im drifting downstream i know i will have too watch out for people anchored or people pulling cranks upstream. I’m not a river fishing rookie, i know what goes on. But this was rediculous and uncalled for, and as James Holst posted up above he was right behind me and saw it happen and agreed it was sad. Lets not forget this was all topped off a couple hours later back up in that area when as i stated before i witnessed a boat of 3 putting 13″ walleyes in their livewell. This steamed me more than the incedent before. I think most people would be a little peaved if they had guys right in front of you putting illegal eyes in their well. If you dont get upset about seeing that than something is not right.

James_Walleye

Don’t you find it odd that more than a couple of the posts have been telling YOU what you need to change about how you conduct yourself one the water? In my opinion you acted with the uttmost control and respect for others and even found a way to salvage the day by giving up the spot without a blow-up by heading downstream.

You handled it better than me. I have a tendency to spout off when I see somebody do something knowingly stupid. Now, I’ve been spinning in circles headed downstream and apologized the whole way. I’ve also said “no problem” to the next guy when this has happened to him. I probably would have deliberately cast across this guy’s line each time he threw. Sounds to me like you handled this as well as one can expect.

As for the 13″ walleyes, amen for reporting them. I was at the Sports show on Friday night and talked to an old boy running the tips booth. I suggested they get a sticker we could all put inside our boats for quick and easy access to the number. I have it saved in my cell, but you never know when I might forget my cell in the truck.

Just think, one more month and the river will be much more tolerable. Of course then the cruisers start!!

Wow, if that was thrown my way, I didn’t blow up. I chose to go downstream. I guess my comments are not being taken the way I wanted. I merely noticed an attitude change from what I am used to on the river. FROM A FEW PEOPLE! I’ll leave it at that. It sounds like the FEW people were noticed by some others as well.
I’m out before I stick my foot in it again.
Tuck

Hey James have you been on the water the last couple days? I was just wondering if you knew how the water looked or had heard how the water looked? Just curious if the water is clearing up at all? I was also curious if you have ever fished any of the lakes around Mankato like Madison and if you have ever faired very well there?

Hey Kooty.
Figure 8’s just plain catch fish!!

james_walleye

I was out on monday. I posted some updated info on Dustin last report that basically stated that the water is WAY up and the walleye fishing north of the resort has gone and got tough. The sauger bite, some really nice ones too, are showing up in what seems to be increasing numbers below the dam.

Quote:

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Hey James have you been on the water the last couple days? I was just wondering if you knew how the water looked or had heard how the water looked? Just curious if the water is clearing up at all? I was also curious if you have ever fished any of the lakes around Mankato like Madison and if you have ever faired very well there?

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James_walleye;

I think you handled this very well. Probably better than me.

Like Kooty said: If your are spinning circles down stream, sorry bud! If it is me, forgive me…..

But the person who did what they did, I don’t think I have the tolerance level you carry.

Personnaly, that is where I like to trim up the motor, just to where the prop is about half way in the water and juice the gas hard to offer free “showers” ………Nah, just kidding, I’ve never done that………

Re: the 13 inchers that some folks kept- two questions-
1) were they saugers and then legal, or were they indeed walleyes? and 2) what is the fine for under-length fish?

My own two cents- if you poach a buck here in Iowa they can (rightly)take your shotgun, and your vehicle, I would hope that if MN DNR catches you poaching <15″ walleye, they should be able to confiscate your whole fishing rig- rods & reels and boats and motors…..everything…..

They were walleyes, we were 10 feet from them and we caught a few of the same 13″ eyes.

Korn King, What a terrible obnoxious report from you! Shame, shame!

KMA

KornKing don’t pay any attention to StaleMackrel, he is just stirring the pot trying fire this thing up again.

You bet I am! And for a great reason! You guys might catch on after all. I forgot, you are from Iowa!

I agree with every thing kornking said 100%.

I didn’t read anyone telling him how to act on the water
all I read was a few comments on things he could do to make the person who cut him off aware of what they did.
instead of being pissed off all day and ruining his day and whoever was with him and then coming on the computer and about it.
I just don’t know to many people who would be this mad about something so little, blow it off dude and get fishing

You call seeing 3 guys keeping illegal walleyes something little?? You think i over reacted too someone bullying their way in front of me then fine, but im sorry when i witness someone keeping illegal walleyes im going too be riled up. And as i said before i did call the TIP line on this one so i did do something about it besides crying on the internet as you want too say.

There is an obvious distinction the two different actions- 1)illegally poaching undersized walleyes, and 2)rude behavior by boaters cutting in line and such.

I think we could all agree that in the final analysis it is probably better to not let rude actions ruin what for us is a thoroughly enjoyable addiction.

I think it is also fair to say that most of us get thoroughly burned and ticked when we see poaching- and not many of us would hesitate one minute to call the TIP line.

I completely Agree with you and your actions about the Guys poaching walleyes.
You definatly did the right thing there I just think life is to short to Be upset that long about someone cutting you off and just wanted to point out fishing the dam in the spring is going to be full of that crap and just to blow it off you will enjoy the day alot more.

We were out last Saturday in the crowds and at times we just had to laugh at some of the stuff we saw. Everyone has things that rub them the wrong way, for me it is people that anchor right in the middle of everyones drift and then cast to the side of the boat. With the current flow like it is right now it is dictating where the drifts are and it is packing boats into a few spots. Put a few anchored boats in the equation and it gets tricky—-have them cast out to the sides and it gets to be a mess at times. I just shake my head and smile. When it gets to be too much then it is time to go hunting some solitude.

If you get so bent out of shape over someone cutting you off i would hate to see you after you drive in rushhour traffic

Just another reason to be a bass fisherman

Good point, these Walleye guys tend to bunch up a bit to much in the spring. Reminds me of suckers spawning.