WU-204: Eye for Integrity - Part 1

by Andy Kuffer

Walleye fishing has come a long way in the recent decade. Technical advances with Sonar/GPS, boats, motors, rods, reels, rod holders and terminal tackle have enhanced the sport. There are more walleye clubs, schools and media to teach walleye fishing than ever before. Tournaments are conducted on every body of water where walleye swim, even on some where they don’t. Yet with all the advances in walleye fishing, angler conduct is still the responsibility of each individual. How an angler behaves on the water is a reflection of personal integrity and it is observed by all. Every time that walleye boat leaves the house, the fishing trip has begun and other anglers and non-anglers begin to notice. What gets noticed is all up to the individual Boating and angling etiquette are skills that are just as important as being able to catch fish. For tournament anglers, even more so, because potential sponsors are watching as well as the tournament directors, media, others anglers and especially the non-angling public. The conduct of anglers is a skill that can be learned, and in the past has been passed down from generation to generation. It is something that is learned from other anglers, usually on the water. It isn’t found in any technical manual and is often overlooked by today’s educational and informational aids.

Here is a simple list of what to do and what not to do on and off of the water:

1. The Golden rule always applies in any fishing situation. It is this
   • If you don’t like what another angler is doing: ( a.) Don”t do it yourself!
   • This is known as ( b.)” What goes around comes around.” Remember this for the rest of this list!
2. At ramps, STAY OUT OF THE WAY! BE READY! Obey the ramp rules. They were made for people who have their own set of rules, and for people who don’t know what to do, both anglers and non-anglers. It is good to talk fishing with others, but not while someone is waiting for the ramp. Save any discussions for off the ramp.

Motoring slowly through other anglers won’t scatter fish

3. When under way, GO AROUND. Drive around other boaters, fishing and not fishing. It is only common courtesy not to cut in front of someone or through a group of fishermen or non-fishermen. When someone is trolling in the middle of nowhere and you are traveling to another spot, pass behind them. When other fishermen are fishing a spot, no matter what type or where, go around them whenever possible. If going around isn’t possible or practical, then go slow. Blasting over fish will only scatter them and can cause them to stop biting. (see rule #1b)
4. Be courteous when fishing. DON’T CROWD. Most of us haven’t invited other anglers to be in our boats, and we would rather not be in another boat. When trolling in a pack of boats, troll in the same direction as everyone else as much as possible. Don’t turn around when others are trolling behind or to the side, even if a fish has been caught. Keep going or pick up lines and go around again.
5. To first CATCH FISH one must find them. That doesn’t mean to spy on other anglers. These is a difference between spying and looking. Using binoculars to watch others is an invasion of privacy. Want to know what someone is using? Ask them. If you can’t ask them, then don’t, no matter what the reason, because it will only invite a wrong answer anyway. Every smart angler looks at what, where and how other anglers in an area are fishing. It doesn’t mean to go looking for others.
6. Don’t follow other anglers or DON’T TAILGATE. Everyone knows what a tailgater on the highway is - someone who follows too closely. That same holds true in fishing. Don’t follow other anglers unless invited to do so. To tailgate is one of the surest ways not to get an invitation. Most fishermen don’t mind sharing fishing spots as long as it is with others who follow the rules. Don’t expect an angler involved in a tournament to share information or to appreciate being followed.

Respecting other anglers on and off the water may result in a long-lasting friendship such as the one between Bill Ortiz and Andy Kuffer

7. To have friends one must MAKE FRIENDS. Everyone needs friends more than they need to catch fish. A fishing friend is someone to share fishing with. It can be information or actually fishing together. A group of fishing friends can become a fishing network and help each other catch fish. The best way to make friends is to be honest. Don’t exaggerate and mislead other anglers (see rule #1a). The surest way to make your fishing friends into enemies is to mislead them. Don’t expect to make angling pals right away. It takes time.

Integrity is the character of a person. Fishing integrity goes along with it. Not everyone has good character and not every angler has “ ‘eye integrity”. Everyone can have it that wills it, but not everyone will. Will you?

Questions and Answers

1. The Golden Rule of ‘eye integrity is what? In a fishing situation, don’t do to others what you would not want someone to do to you.
2. When in a crossing situation involving another boat that is fishing, why pass behind them? No one likes it when another boat passes directly in front of where they are trolling, because it can turn off the bite.
3. Why not look at other anglers with binoculars to see what they are using? It is an invasion of privacy. Remember the Golden Rule.
4. What is “tailgating”? Tailgating is following other anglers to a spot and is a violation of angling ethics.
5. Why are friends more important than catching fish, even during a tournament? A friend will always be there when the fishing day is over, even if the fish didn’t bite.