Fishing the OTHER side of hc.

[John Harper]

I've seen people on the other side several times, did not know it was frowned upon. I always wondered how they got over without wading. I guess they did not.

Did not know there was an "etiquette" issue on which side of a creek you can fish from, however.

John

[beachbum]

It's changed over the 40 years I have fished it. We used to regularly cross, but since it's become un-PC, I just fish from the proper side. It sure has become a charged issue though.

[WanderingBlues]

I had no idea there was a 'right' side and a 'wrong' side on HC. Then again, as I mentioned, I'm usually on and gone before most are having their first cup of coffee and have never interfered with other anglers. Now that I'm enlightened, I'll respect the local etiquette. I'd mention that I've seen recognizable guides on the far side with clients, presumably to give them unemcumbered opportunities. And those low holin' wet wadin' deer gotta go...

And anyone who's fished with Shane knows he's a 100% best practice guy. I detected jest in his comment.

[Flux]

It's not illegal to wade Hot Creek but it is definitely frowned upon due to the Creek being smallish, fragile, and overfished in the busy months.

While I have never crossed, there seems to be a couple places to do do that would have minimal impact. Particularly down by the thermal vents. I'd rather see someone cross in a mellow place and then fish from the bank then spend all day in and out of the creek trashing it up.

I'm all about not wading there and still chuckle pretty good when I see the wadered up guys heading down, it's like having a sign on your back that says "I have no idea what I am doing".

But spring is in the air, which means it's time to move on to other waters with more elbow room. Those poor, poor fishes.

[fshflys]

I'm all about not wading there and still chuckle pretty good when I see the wadered up guys heading down, it's like having a sign on your back that says "I have no idea what I am doing".

I wear them in the winter, (mine are waist high, not full waders), keeps my rear end dry when I sit down to rerig or tie flys on. Plus they're warmer that jeans. - And I've been fishing there since '73

[Flux]

I wear them in the winter, (mine are waist high, not full waders), keeps my rear end dry when I sit down to rerig or tie flys on. Plus they're warmer that jeans. - And I've been fishing there since '73

I'm making a gross generalization, sorry for that. I know that some folks wear em like that and I am with you and sorry about being pointed like that. I get frustrated down there with the general attitude sometimes. I have seen people get everything from downright stupid to enraged over a dog coming near them. I tend to get a bit defensive after being crowded off sections or picking up trash or given dirty looks for just passing by. I keep it real light and friendly for sure. The guys with waders on tend to not know the score down there, it's somewhat of a running joke between the local guys.

My attitude changed this winter when I ran into a worm container on the upper section and my dog found a pile of human * complete with toilet paper on the big hole at the bottom section.

Which brings up another good point. BURY YOUR #2's!!!!!!!!!!!!! The brush around the Walker is an open pit toilet.

It's just a shame what becomes of some of the best trout water in California................

[DrCreek]

It's a FRAGILE fishery and underwater ecosystem. That being said, it's not illegal - just looked down on. Most flyfishermen won't get in.

[briansII]

My understanding of it is, it's not "etiquette" that dictates what side you wade. The request of no wading, is for the health of the fishery. It's a somewhat unique system. The balance can be upset with too much direct human contact. Judging by the worn path along the creek, the potential for that is very real.

briansII

[Rob909]

That is a great attitude Anacrime and Rob.

So Lowholing, holding fish out of water for a long period of time or putting them on the ground or snow for a picture naming small streams on the net aren't illegal. So each his own?

It is fantastic that you feel that way when it comes to something that is meant to preserve a resource that is used by thousands upon thousands of people each year.

Just because it is not illegal, doesnt make it right.

Please consider changing your attitude about this topic.

RJH

I'm glad you know me well enough to claim to know how I feel about the preservation of our resources based on my opinion of the whole Hot Creek wading topic which has been beaten to death for years.

I'm not the Hot Creek Police, and I don't have any authority over anyone deciding to cross or wade. Never said it was right or wrong, just agreed with the statement that it wasn't illegal.

I DO know Shane (Anacrime) personally and I'm pretty confident I know his attitude towards our resources and also what his intent was with his statement.

Having said that, I still don't have a problem with what he said or my response.

But thanks for chiming in. I can respect your opinion.


Rob

[planettrout]

I'm all about not wading there and still chuckle pretty good when I see the wadered up guys heading down, it's like having a sign on your back that says "I have no idea what I am doing".
quote]

I wear them in the winter, (mine are waist high, not full waders), keeps my rear end dry when I sit down to rerig or tie flys on. Plus they're warmer that jeans. - And I've been fishing there since '73

I have to agree, sometimes I wear waders down there if I am coming from the Lower "O' or heading back to the EW... many of the "locals" and "bozos" with magnetic or logo signs on their trucks, weren't even born when this guy was FF what used to be - uncrowded water...

PT/TB

[RJH]

Rob and Anacrime,
Then why don't you give more detail about what your true opinion on the topic is.

When you just say "it isn't illegal, to each his own" and "I agree" reeks of arrogance and reaffirms the attitude that many people have that ends up screwing up our fisheries and the fishing experience of everyone else that wants to use the resource.

I can respect both of your opinions, but as you pointed out I don't know you and others that read this forum don't know you, so maybe you should do a better job of explaining yourself. The way I read the thread it sounded like you both were saying f u I do what I want and I don't care about anyone else.

If you were trolling, then good for you, you got me.

I apologize for misinterpreting your statements. I hope you both have a nice weekend.

RJH

[Wildman]

Actually both are well known to Flyfishingaddict.com folks. Both Rob and Shane are long time contributing members in good standing of this on line community whose conservation ethics and respect for the resource are above reproach.

Not sure how you read so much into their response.

You're barking up the wrong tree on this one. Fact is.....you're in the wrong county!

[DrCreek]

This has turned into a joke. Here's how it is...

There is no HC or state "law" that says a flyfisherman cannot walk through the HC waterway - be it to walk right up the middle of main street the entire length or to simply cross in order to reach the other side. Whether any of us likes that or not doesn't matter. HC's "wading rules" are nothing more than "unwritten, word of mouth" thoughts that are passed around and "understood" by most flyfishermen - particularly those that are environmentally aware and desire to participate and practice in such. And hooray for them for doing so.

If a flyfisherman wishes to jump in and wade HC however, a flyfisherman can do that - legally. He may get rocks hurled in his direction, but he is well within his rights to do so. The hope from the general conservationist-minded catch and release flyfishing community (myself included) is that everyone who uses it OR ANY OTHER WATER respects the ecosystem in the manner WE THINK they should. And who are "WE" to insist on that? WE aren't anything special. The collective "WE" can only hope, but it's unfair to think everyone else should just because we say so. Regarding "education," have at it. Speaking for myself only, I have NO interest in attempting to educate anyone that hasn't asked to be educated. I guess I just like having all of my teeth in place.

And yes, ever since HC was lifted to the heavens and given blue ribbon status by those ridiculous national rags decades ago, HC has become an overused, abused, deep-rutted fishermans trail freakin' mess. I hate it there, and I refuse to fish it. The place goes against everything I love - mostly solitude.

So next time you see a flyfisherman making his way through, over or around HC tearing-up weeds from the stream bed, creating exposures and causing a silt cloud big enough to last the entire afternoon, remember that there is no HC or state "law" or "rule" dictating whether or not he can do that. We (again, myself included) may not appreciate or agree with what he's doing. But again, he is well within his right to cruise through the water at random.

Should we chat a little about some of the * flyfishermen and/or local flyfishing guides that think both themselves AND their clients can swoop holes, throw lines over and run other flyfishermen out of the area? Guides can routinely be seen standing on the far side with their "clients" so they have a straight shot up the seams - we all know most of the best trout there are hanging out on the far side for good reason. I'll bet there are some wild accounts about this just waiting to be told.

[NorcalBob]

And some of the responses in this thread is why I stay out of "train wreck" threads like this. One of the things I like about the members of this forum, is "preaching" threads (like this one), are pretty few and far between. Unlike most of the other forums where I don't bother to post any longer.
<<<Speaking for myself only, I have NO interest in attempting to educate anyone that hasn't asked to be educated. I guess I just like having all of my teeth in place.>>>
Bingo, good DR. I just wish other people would share that same sentiment!

[Devinpreston]

I didnt mean for the thread to turn into this, I just wanted to see what others thought about something I saw!