Western NY Steelhead/Brown Trip

Beautiful browns and congrats doing it on your own. Only downside of an otherwise world class fishery are the idiots you mentioned. Don't blame someone if they want to get to the river at 2:30 to secure a spot but chances are if you have to get there that early you're going to be have a lot of company around you all day. I can tolerate that. Whats a shame to see is the lack of class shown by too many to other anglers and trophy fish with lining, snagging and dragging fish out on stringers that were caught illegally.

Few years back I fished the Oak. Was doing very well with a dead egg pattern on the browns and a few chrome. Five guys come walking up on my downstream side, proceed to walk 15 to 20 ft into the river in about 3 feet of water right in my drift. They were using spinning outfits rigged with what looked like 2 oz chartreuse spros and started snagging browns sight casting. Every one went on the stringer including some real trophy fish. Absolute zero class and if you say something you risk an altercation. Called the DEC hotline to report it but no one showed up, just too much area for them to cover. It's a put and take fishery but no way for trophy fish to meet their fate. Have seen it too often which is why it pays to stay away from the well traveled areas if you have the luxury to do that.

Either way, beautiful browns and nice job hooking up the steelhead.