Rufus - Fishing Poles

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

A little Courtesy goes a long way!!!

When I kite at rufus I make a point to respectfully engage the fishermen (and fisherwomen).

Last weekend I had been yapping with a couple of the local Indian fishermen before I got a session. We just yapped about about how the fishing was. We must have built a rapport because later on, one of them informed me that a fellow kitesurfer had rudely (and loudly) made remarks about the fishing poles being in the way of the kitesurfers. This Indian fisherman informed me that all the guy needed to do was ask him to move his poles and he would have. In fact, he informed me of this while he was moving his poles out of the kitesurfing zone (which I thanked him for).

This Indian fisherman (I don't know his name) also informed me that the banks of Rufus have some sort of Tribal Access for fishing.

Now, I'm not a lawyer, and I honestly don't know what that means (or even if I said it right), but the way I look at it, he was being considerate in moving his fishing poles (which by the way is his livelihood), so the least we can do as kiteboarders is to be respectful.

I think a little respectful communication between kiters and fishermen at Rufus will likely lead towards a safer and more enjoyable outing for all of us.

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 390 Posts Portland Obsessed

I couldn't agree more. Most of the fishermen I've run into are pretty friendly and love to chat. It benefits the kite community to have a good relationship with these guys. Not only do we have to share space with them, but you never know when you might need to flag one down for help. I've also had my lost kiteboard retreived and returned to me by kind fishermen, who were reluctant to even accept a reward.

It's also nice to stop in Cascade Locks this time of year and buy some fresh spring chinook from the native american fisherman. Make sure to mention you're a kiteboarder!

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

it goes for all aspects of life, if you are a dick you are unlikely to get what you are looking for.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Great topic!

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2575 Posts The 503 METAL

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 515 Posts portland Addicted

this goes for Sauvie Island as well.

If there are guys fishing on the shore, give them some space. Don't be the newbie body dragging right next to shore through their lines.

Or just because it is the evening, and there is 15 kiteboarders and one fisherman, try and run them off. If that guy showed up first, stay out of his way.

They are using a LOT less space than the people kiteboarding

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

I came across the website for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

I found it to be informative and interesting. It includes an abundance of information regarding how/where to buy fish, how to tell if a fish is fresh, cooking information, Indian culture, fishing rights, and salmon conservation information.

Check out:

http://www.critfc.org/
http://www.critfc.org/harvest/

TonyROD · Since 30 Apr 2014 22 Posts

Good Topic

Thumb's Up

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

I went to Rufus yesterday (May 26th). Not a single kiteboarder or windsurfer out. But appeared to be solid 10m conditions.

The entire place was taken over by fishermen - but they did not appear to be Native Americans.

It seemed like there weren't even that many fishermen there. One big RV parked in the most obnoxious way to take over as much space as possible. Bunch of fishing poles, not that many fishermen, and most of the poles did not have their lines in the water - they were just dangling there with the hooks - poles were spread out about five feet apart.

Plus there were three fishermen fishing in the pond on the far east of the rock pile.

So, was this the intentional action of a small group of fishermen trying to exclude wind enthusiasts?

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 655 Posts Mosier Addicted

Halfsharkalligatorhalfman · Since 17 Feb 2012 47 Posts

Let's just leave Jones out of this. Laughing

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Jimbo · Since 16 Jul 2009 58 Posts Seattle

I've been out at Rufus a lot in the last few weekends and there have been folks (Native American and others) fishing. They have all been really nice and there have been no conflicts as far as I know. I sense that they "get it" that we at least need that little sandy peninsula to launch and land and they have been good about moving away. So kudos to the fishermen.

The current really rips right there so if you dawdle in getting out once you get in the water you might drift into their fishing lines. I saw it happen a couple times last weekend and a friend of mine had a hook on her wetsuit during her session. After screaming at them to move their poles when she initially got snagged, she returned the hook and tackle and said sorry for yelling. They were nice about it.

We need to remember that the Native Americans have a treaty right to be there. Their ancestors were there about 15000 years before kiteboarding so a bit of respect for their fishing grounds goes a long way. Fishing there will be closed soon as I understand it and it is still only May. We have all summer to enjoy Rufus still.

All that said, when rolling out your kites and walking around watch out for fishhooks. I've picked up a few.

Be Stoked!!!

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 537 Posts Addicted