What would you have done?

[Nick H.]

Yesterday I decided to try out Lake Waconia looking for some bass. I got to the launch at 6:30 or so and the public access was packed with tournament anglers. I went and grabbed a pop from the gas station with the intention of going to a different lake , but decided they would be gone shortly so I headed back to the landing. I waited until they took off from the landing to get ready to go, in an effort to stay out of the way. I'm not a real experienced boat handler or fisherman, so I decided this would be best. I launched my boat (not the nicest one on the water, which we will get to in a short while ;-)  ) and headed to a weed line that had nobody on it. I don't know the lake very well, but there were boats everywhere on the lake. I wanted to stay out of the way. So I positioned my boat so the wind would blow me directly down the weed edge. About 300 yards down it would hit the shoreline weed edge and I would make a "right turn" to continue following the weed edge. After about a half hour of drifting down the weed edge a boat comes flying up past me over the top of the weed edge and parks just to the left of the "right turn" and proceeds to get his gear ready. He is off to the side, not in front of me at this point. I continue to fish. As I'm nearing the "right turn" this guy starts his trolling motor and literally cuts me off in the corner and begins to fish along the weeds. If I had not changed my course I would have hit him. I easily could have hit him with my crankbait had I tried to. My question is, should I have made a comment? Should I have moved locations like I did? Is this just "part of fishing" and deal with it? I thought it was pretty rude of the guy. 

 

My second story of the day leaves me wondering what's with these tournament guys? At any rate. After I moved I went over to a reef. I started working one end and there were a couple boats anchored about 150 yards up on the other end. I noticed a boat drifting towards me. I had just caught a nice 18 1/4" so I decided to spot lock and let the boat drift past me. We were not in danger of hitting each other but I decided to let them go as they were in the tournament, I assumed. I used the spot lock on the trolling motor and continued to fish. As they get close the driver asks if I had any luck. I said yes, I just caught a nice 3.5 lber. He jokingly asked if he could borrow it and we both laughed. I proceeded to tell him I wasn't much of a fisherman but I was trying hard and I've caught a few nice ones. I asked if there was a tournament that day? He proceeded to tell me he was from some Prior Lake blah blah blah tournament or something and there was another tournament on the lake that day as well.  I said I wasn't ready to fish in tournaments yet but I was hoping to get good enough to some day. His partner then makes a comment something to the effect of (I'm not ready for a tournament) with a boat like that.  I didn't even know what to say. I actually started laughing. All I could think about was what an arrogant guy he was. I ended up leaving that spot as well. 

 

So I'm sitting here thinking about the events that transpired yesterday and I was wondering if this is really what fishing competitively is like? Do I need thicker skin or should I have made a couple comments?  I am more curious what other angler's opinions are on this.  Nick

[CaptainMusky]

Jokes on them I guess. They had the fancy "tournament ready" boat and they asked to "borrow" your fish. Just shows that the boat doesn't make them a better fisherman.

In all honesty about the cutting off thing, as a musky fisherman I can tell you it happens a lot. Its frustrating, but really not worth even saying anything. Its pretty typical of the guys with the fancier boats pulling off this maneuver as if they are entitled to the spot more than someone else.

The part that really irritates me is when I am working a weedbed or shoreline and then a boat leap frogs me and proceeds to fish a cast length ahead of me going the same direction. Not much you can do, but I have returned the favor on occasion, but many times they don't even get it when you do it to them.

[Mike89]

you did the better thing with the way you handled yourself, stay that way.  and good luck to you!

[bobberineyes]

Cool heads usually prevail they say, but next time Nick, know the lake better, ( spots wise). Me, I would've jump in line, now you know how they can be on the lake so pinch em off at the landing. Just think if you kept right behind that guy and caught fish that he missed.....Holy smokes, he would have disappeared like a fart in the wind. Most people are pretty decent on the water but now and then we all run into people like that.

[leechlake]

I have a more positive one.  I had a Smoker Craft years ago.  Moderately priced boat and certainly no Ranger.  We were fishing Leech and their was a tourney going on.  We were on Snake Pit Flats, zero wind and my buddy and I hauled in 6-8 walleyes including a few over 25" and this was pre-slot limit.  We threw the bigger ones back and were surrounded by tournament boats, really nice ones I may add, and for whatever reason they weren't catching a thing.  It was weird.

I set the hook again and picked up a near 28 incher and Ted Takasaki was fishing really close to us.  He just whistled this really cool complimentary whistle and we let that fish go too.  I thought it was pretty classy of him and one of my great fishing memories.

[Ufatz]

This is sorta in the same vein and I do not know any more than I'm telling you,   but the Fargo Forum apparently had a story about some sorry jerks who saw a deer swimming and decided to HARASS it and they proceeded to run at it and around it and terrified the poor animal until it drowned.  Another great   example of sportsmanship in the outdoors.

I'd like to have a crack at those guys myself but instead I have to hope the law gets into this.  There surely are some laws governing that sort of behavior.

I won't even get into the rudeness of tournament fishermen because I would have too much material to share. And a lot of stuff that does not involved tournament anglers.

[delcecchi]

This is sorta in the same vein and I do not know any more than I'm telling you,   but the Fargo Forum apparently had a story about some sorry jerks who saw a deer swimming and decided to HARASS it and they proceeded to run at it and around it and terrified the poor animal until it drowned.  Another great   example of sportsmanship in the outdoors.

I'd like to have a crack at those guys myself but instead I have to hope the law gets into this.  There surely are some laws governing that sort of behavior.

I won't even get into the rudeness of tournament fishermen because I would have too much material to share. And a lot of stuff that does not involved tournament anglers.

Yeah, on vermilion one runs into muskie guys who think that they are entitled.  Last couple years not so much but maybe I just got lucky.

[fishnowworknever]

Yep pretty typical when you get a couple of guys with big heads.  Minnetonka is really bad, guys cutting you off constantly and never thinking twice about it.  I'll usually cast into their path just to return a little love back their way and let them know you were there first.  Not much else you can or should do, better to be cool headed than hot headed.

 

Next time don't worry about the tournament boats, it's a public landing and if you're there launching during their tournament maybe next time they'll show up earlier to stay out of YOUR way.  If you get any grief about it just remind them exactly of that, it's a public landing.

Edited September 22, 2015 by fishnowworknever

[tinker]

Been there, done that, won't ever do it again. I would have packed up and left for another lake in a heartbeat rather then put up with rude people . My biggest gripe is the guy who has to unload his boat on the ramp instead of pulling it up to the lot while others have to sit in their boat and wait . That's why wait for fall to really start to fish.

[pikestabber]

I worked at a fishing resort for several years as a teenager, and I noted that quite often fancy boats equated to arrogant owners and subpar fishing performance. Meanwhile, the good old boys rocking the tin can that could barely float and had one speed...putter...would out fish the rest of the resort, tip the best, and be the friendliest. Now, that's not to say the opposite wasn't true a time or two, and I met plenty of folks with top notch gear that knew how to use it and were friendly to boot, but it goes to show that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. My boat is old, small, slow, and beat up, but I'd put my results over the years against anyone with a patch on their shirt and a decal on their window. They'll beat me to landing every time, but that gives me more time to smile on my way back to the launch.

As for the rude maneuvers you experienced, you did the right thing by letting it go. Arguments on the water just aren't worth it. Ever. Cooler heads prevail. Fishing is supposed to be relaxing, and a screaming match across the pond is NOT relaxing.  I think you handled it well, and while the comment about your boat was asinine and uncalled for, you also did the right thing by not feeding into it. Chances are that guy has low self-esteem and needs to knock people down a peg or two to keep his own compass straight. Brush it off and forget it. Reminds me of the best advice I ever got: what other people think of you is none of your business. I can shake off any rude comment by remembering that.

Edited September 22, 2015 by pikestabber

[hnd]

here down on the miss, there is a bass tournament seemingly every weekend.  i'll be honest, the bass guys are the worst compared to the walleye guys. 

your story made me giggle as i had a similar situation.  buddy has a lund adventurer 16' with a 25 hp motor on it.  we were out fishing for bass and there was a line of boat trailers at the ramp.  so we thought about just fishing for walleye but wanted to fish bass anyway.  well we were pretty much knocking the snot out of them throwing spinnerbaits to timber.  all the bass boats were fishing lilly pads.  well of course they all start closing in on us.  60k rigs one guy was really douchey and was like you guys catching nice ones?  i said yeah a few pretty nice 3-4lber's...i then said, maybe we should of entered the tournament.  he got even douchier and said something about my buddies rig.  i said something about how many fish you got in the box?  you came racing over here soon as you saw us catching fish, maybe you need another 50k in gear before you'll be able to find them.    We moved and continued to catch fish, he and all the other bass fisherman continued to fish behind us.  it was pretty hilarious. 

i wish i could say most tourney bass guys are nice but that certainly hasn't been our experience. 

[BobT]

This is sorta in the same vein and I do not know any more than I'm telling you,   but the Fargo Forum apparently had a story about some sorry jerks who saw a deer swimming and decided to HARASS it and they proceeded to run at it and around it and terrified the poor animal until it drowned.  Another great   example of sportsmanship in the outdoors.

I'd like to have a crack at those guys myself but instead I have to hope the law gets into this.  There surely are some laws governing that sort of behavior.

I won't even get into the rudeness of tournament fishermen because I would have too much material to share. And a lot of stuff that does not involved tournament anglers.

Was watching the local news this morning and this story was mentioned. It is under investigation at the moment so little information was made available but it appears it has not gone unnoticed.

[Ufatz]

Great!  I hope it gets broad coverage when they nail them and file charges. While I am not familiar with MN statutes covering this sort of thing I can think of several that would probably apply. Unfortunately none of the prescribed penalties will be severe enough to make me happy. It is hard to imagine anybody being so stupid and cruel.

[SledNeck]

Yeah, on vermilion one runs into muskie guys who think that they are entitled.  Last couple years not so much but maybe I just got lucky.

The worst thing they ever did to vermilion was put muskies in it

[Ufatz]

Just a thought regarding the wanton killing of the deer:  if a few people would let the Minneapolis TV stations know about the story it would help generate some interest. Just go to the sites of WCCO, KSTP etc. and advise them of the story in the Fargo Forum.  This type behavior should get the full light of day so people understand that it won't be tolerated and is inhumane and cruel.

[reinhard1]

http://www.wday.com/news/3843772-boater-chases-deer-death-minnesota-harassing-it-until-it-drowns   good luck.

[Nick H.]

Thank you to everyone that responded. I appreciate your input. I think I'm going to take everyone's advice and bite my tongue and keep fishing.  Some of the best advice in here was that fishing is supposed to be fun. I tend to be very competitive and that takes the fun out of it sometimes. 

[delcecchi]

Thank you to everyone that responded. I appreciate your input. I think I'm going to take everyone's advice and bite my tongue and keep fishing.  Some of the best advice in here was that fishing is supposed to be fun. I tend to be very competitive and that takes the fun out of it sometimes. 

Those tourney guys are also tending towards being very competitive.  I guess that is why they fish in tournaments.  Muskie guys too.  I think it is some sort of macho thing for them.  Anyway, Illegitimi non carborundum.

[Ufatz]

Hate to say it but am starting to smell a rat on this deer drowning story.  The incident took place SEPT. 6TH and not a word from DNR since then. Huh?  You have witnesses who TOLD you what happened,  people TOLD you who owned the pontoon and there are lake dwellers who apparently are very,  VERY angry about this sickening incident.

Where is the DNR on this?  Why not a word? We still need to get the MSP media into this and THEN we might get an answer.  I would really hate to think somebody in the Department is dragging their feet or hanging back on this for some reason.  Makes me a little nervous.  I have already sent notes to a couple of the MSP TV stations.  Why don't you do the same.

Something just does not sound right about this situation.

[Nick H.]

Those tourney guys are also tending towards being very competitive.  I guess that is why they fish in tournaments.  Muskie guys too.  I think it is some sort of macho thing for them.  Anyway, Illegitimi non carborundum.

I think it's funny because my motto is always "keep on, keeping on". I'm not going to lie I had to look up the definition of Illegitimi non carborundum. Good advice my friend!  Nick

[rundrave]

Hate to say it but am starting to smell a rat on this deer drowning story.  The incident took place SEPT. 6TH and not a word from DNR since then. Huh?  You have witnesses who TOLD you what happened,  people TOLD you who owned the pontoon and there are lake dwellers who apparently are very,  VERY angry about this sickening incident.

Where is the DNR on this?  Why not a word? We still need to get the MSP media into this and THEN we might get an answer.  I would really hate to think somebody in the Department is dragging their feet or hanging back on this for some reason.  Makes me a little nervous.  I have already sent notes to a couple of the MSP TV stations.  Why don't you do the same.

Something just does not sound right about this situation.

Our local news has a story about this on their page:

MAHNOMEN, MN -

Prosecutors have charged a Moorhead man with animal cruelty and chasing a wild animal with a motor vehicle for allegedly chasing a deer with a pontoon boat until it drowned.

Fifty-five-year-old Steven William Timm was charged in Mahnomen County on Wednesday with two misdemeanor counts stemming from an incident on Tulaby Lake on Sept. 6. Witnesses told a conservation officer they saw a man chase a swimming buck with a pontoon boat until it died.

The Department of Natural Resources incident report says Timm told the officer he was trying to steer the deer back to shore, not hurt it.

Timm's first court appearance is set for Oct. 29.

A man answering the phone number listed for Timm in the incident report denied he was Timm and hung up.

[Bobby Bass]

 

Our local news has a story about this on their page:

 Some more information from the DNR

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         Oct. 7, 2015

Man charged with cruelty to animals

The Mahnomen County Attorney’s Office has filed two misdemeanor charges against a Moorhead boater following an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Steven William Timm, 55, allegedly used a pontoon to chase a large buck that was swimming Tulaby Lake in Mahnomen County on Sept. 6, causing the deer to swim further out into the lake and eventually drown.

Timm is charged with one count of animal cruelty and one count of prohibited use of a motor vehicle to chase wild animals. Each carries a maximum fine of $1,000, 90 days in jail or both if convicted.

Using a motor vehicle to chase, run, or kill a wild animal is illegal with a citation issued and restitution for the illegally taken animal. A deer has a $500 restitution value, and the restitution is $1,000 if the animal is a trophy animal.

A state conservation officer was called by a citizen who witnessed Timm drive the pontoon between the deer and shoreline preventing the animal from reaching safety. The witness drove his pontoon to Timm’s location and asked why Timm had done it, but Timm responded, “What do you think I am a deer killer?”

The officer later talked to Timm who said he noticed something in the water, drove his pontoon there to investigate, and attempted to turn the deer back to shore, but the animal swam further out into the lake.

According to the DNR, an interaction that may seem harmless and innocent may ultimately have serious consequences for deer and other wildlife.

“As the state’s wildlife management agency, we have a responsibility to protect the wildlife resource,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR enforcement director. “Chasing wildlife with any type of motorized vehicle is unacceptable.”

Timm is scheduled to appear in Mahnomen County Court on Oct. 29.

Report game and fish violations to the TIP hotline at 800-652-9093. Cell phone users can dial #TIP. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Edited October 7, 2015 by Bobby Bass

[delcecchi]

What was he thinking?  gonna lasso the deer with his anchor rope and drag it to shore? 

I can understand someone seeing it swimming and going over to check it out.  But then get away from it once you know what it is. 

Edited October 7, 2015 by delcecchi

[bobberineyes]

That's exactly right del,  maybe he was hoping the deer would say gosh am I glad to see you, have room cuz I sure could use a lift. We were on crane lake a while back and saw something black on the water, had to check it out and sure enough was a black bear going from one island to the next. He was doing just fine so we turned and went back to fishing.  I think this guy should've done the same.

[delcecchi]

With us it was a moose in Quetico, Jean Lake.  We were in canoes, so no contest.