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It is especially aggravating when someone takes your hole, and then proceeds to catch an 18" rainbow out of it All without asking
By the letter of the law...I guess he can use the holes. .ethically. ..bush league. ..
I've had that happen a few times. It's definitely very frustrating!The degree of frustration would depend on the circumstances...If I had previously drilled and egged all the holes well prior to the new guy(s) showing up and there was still plenty of other unoccupied areas on the lake to fish? Then Yes! I'd absolutely have a talk with him/them. How they responded would determine how I'd respond.However... If on a lake with limited ice or unoccupied areas to fish? I would have to take into consideration how much area I'm am covering... and be considerate of someone else trying to fish as well... Common Courtesy would Hopefully mean they come over and say hello and ask first though.During Derbies this happens Alot!!! Everyone wants Prime territory. Although I feel it should be first come first serve... It's Never the case and often there will be a heated argument.A Big part of why I stopped fishing Winnepesauke during the Rotary Derby years ago. Limited access keeps the masses close by sooo I would make sure I'd do my homework and move well away from the crowds. Unfortunately the winters weve had aren't what they used to be when we would have 2ft of ice to travel on... So alot of those places are often unaccessible or aren't worth the effort.Regardless it all comes down to common courtesy and ethics. The polite sportsman like thing to do would at least be to go over and introduce yourself and state your intentions and maybe even ask permission if You're going to fish close/next to someone who's already "claimed" and area.
For what its worth, NHTF is spot on. 99.7% of the time if you took the time to go speak to a fellow ice fisherman / women, they would offer you "their" area, food, drink and good conversations. Most of the time that's all it takes...break the ice so to speak. A bit awkward at first but most of the time ends up good. If the person has issues with it and being a.....then you know where you stand and move on. Why deal with that. I believe in first come, first serve too. That's why i get up at 3:30 am during early ice to get to where I'm going and get set up before light and the crowd. This season for early ice was fantastic, i had the places to myself and ended up with several browns and brookies but more importantly enjoyed the peace, quiet and alone time with my thoughts. ZEN.Just show some respect, kindness, common courtesy, good ethics and etiquette it goes along ways.Ps: I treat people the way i get treated. My old man told me if someone is nice to you, you better be twice as nice back. If someone is an arsehole, then be twice the arsehole they are. Miss ya Dad!
Doesn't sound like that was the case here and the guy was just being a jerk. I probably would've offered to drill a few holes for him somewhere nearby.
Sorry for the newbie question but what is an egg hole?
I would as well.....in a tight circle around him.
The way I protect my holes is to set dumby cusk lines. Can still view the bottom and holes look like they are being fished
Aye Captain you would have him "Walk the plank". A tight circle duct tape him to his chair.