High holed - help me understand

[poopdeck]

Currently I am less a trout fishermen then any other species. However, I grew up trout fishing with spinning gear and pretty much trout fished exclusively which bored me as I neared my 20’s. I all but stopped trout fishing when I discovered striper fishing in the 80’s. I never heard of high holing in my years as a spin fishing trout fishermen. My father was a life long trout fly fishermen and he never ever mentioned high holing and we often fished for trout together. In fact, spin and fly fishermen always fished together without issue but at the time there were far fewer FF. I can’t remember my father ever getting upset over other anglers on the creek. I recall only one guy ever making me shake my head on the creek and you guessed it, he had a fly rod. Perhaps the term was created after the explosion of fly fishing put more fly guys on the creek?

So my question is when did high holing begin? Had to be sometime in the 80’s or did my father fail mention this to us. What are the parameters of high holing? I’ve seen posts where people seem to expect that once they enter the creek nobody is allowed to walk past them and go further upstream. All fishing must be downstream of them. I’ve seen distances mentioned where nobody is allowed within a quarter mile upstream of them or the next hole or run. I understand people should give other anglers their space and they should not slog past them in the water but the rules of high holing seem to be don’t ever walk up stream of me even if your walking past them on a trail. Are people taking etiquette to levels never heard of before? Are there just a few grumpy guys out there that post what I believe are ridiculous expectations and new FF read these posts and take it to the next level?

Perhaps others are like me and simply do not know what exactly high holing is as it seems to be just being on the same creek together. So let’s see if we can get some real explanation of it in hopes of curbing the practice. Who knows, I might start trout fishing again and I wouldn’t want to anger others.

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear poopdeck,

High holing and it's sibling low holing are terms for people who enter the water without regard for you while fishing. If you are fishing dry flies which are generally fished in an upstream wading approach it's when someone enters the stream above you close enough that they effectively end your ability to continue to work upstream. Low holing is when you are fishing wets or streamers and the go in below you. Depending on the size of the stream you can even be side holed.

Everyone has their own definition of what exactly constitutes a high hole, but if I can even come close to hitting you with a fly cast you are way, way, way too close to me. If I am approaching a stream to fish depending on the size of the stream, I like to separate myself from another fisherman by an absolute minimum of at least 100 yards. If it is a smaller stream, I'll walk a 1/4 mile of more above a fisherman, and if it is a really small stream I'll probably leave and look to fish elsewhere.

Like I said, there are no hard or fast rules, but I think you get the gist of the definition. Think of it as fishing the beach and getting into fish only to turn around after your last fish and finding people on either side of you. Or having people jump in your drift after they see you catching fish from a boat. Some people don't mind that, but I don't know many of them.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

P.S. As far as when it started, it's been happening since I started seriously fly fishing almost 50 years ago. I think it was spawned from the stocked trout stream pictures with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder casting into the same hole. It has been increasing over the years as people seem to value the personal space of others less. It doesn't happen everywhere, but when it does it is aggravating.

 

[tjsingle]

High/Low holing to me is when I am fishing a smaller stream and someone hops right in front of me while I am working upstream/downstream, like within idk say 25 to 50-ft. Its inevitable to run into another fisherman on some streams, so I always try to give enough buffer that I think is reasonable. Usually if I see someone in the next area I am working toward, I'll just hop out and keep going another couple hundred yards.

Everyone's tolerance for it is different, but bottom line is give enough room to other anglers that you would expect to give them.

A good example is I was fishing Valley Creek and someone started fishing the riffle directly above me (25-ft), while I fished the pool below.

 

[CinnamonJoe]

So, this can get technical real fast, right?

Is it high-holing if they come in above you, around a nearby-sharp bend (upstream) in the creek, that obscures them from your view? But, they are fishing real closeby, nonetheless, in a stretch that was 'yours'? And you come up on them after spending 10min working your 1st 'beat'?

IDK. People should be civil/patient. Easy to say. Sometimes hard to put in practice.

I guess I am lucky in that most places I fish, I haven't had to deal with it. Also, I try real hard to just fish weekdays, which also helps.

I have, however been plagued with a deer hunting version of 'high-holing' in Iowa: I go in real early, set-up with my bipod looking over a foodplot a couple hours before sunrise, and invitably some 'sport comes barelling across the bean field during the power hour, and ruins my setup. Or even worse: they setup right in front of my line of fire. More often than not, there is usually just one parking spot, so its not like they didn't see my truck there. I guess in the darkness, my blaze orange might still be hard to see. Alright. Little rant over. LOL

Joe

 

[tjsingle]

I'll add this, the high/low holing thing to me is a little bit silly at times. You have no clue if you are fishing behind a new guy just starting out or the best angler in the state. Some of the biggest fish I have ever caught on crowded streams come after I watched another angler there fishing it. Yes trout are spooky, but they don't stay spooked for nearly as long as you thing (Unless they were hooked).

I don't get nearly as mad when I run into people anymore, as I am only in control of how I am fishing. Presentation and approach are far more important.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

A good example is I was fishing Valley Creek and someone started fishing the riffle directly above me (25-ft), while I fished the pool below.

I think @TimMurphy description is a good one. If you are visual learner, however, then I suggest going to Valley to learn what high holing is all about first hand 🤣

 

[troutbert]

So my question is when did high holing begin?

With Cain and Abel, as I recall.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

High holing is approaching from downstream of another angler, in this case me, seeing me but not engaging or discussing a way to fish with respect for each other's approach (i.e. "Hey, are you fishing upstream or down?"), walking into the pool ahead of me, and fishing.

To the OP, I wander if you are talking about stocked trout streams too. The rules of engagement are looser there and the fish far less spooky and concentrated near access points.

 

[TheDuke44]

I think it traces back to a concept that has definitely been fading from society at large: treat others how you want to be treated.

I wouldn't want someone on top of me on the stream or getting in the way of what I'm trying to do. With that in mind, I steer clear of others because it SHOULD BE common courtesy.

 

[tramp]

One of the reasons I fish less than I used to. Crowded water.

Also why I fish small water with small fish. Many want to catch the big ones and an 8" Brookie I treasure wouldn't be sufficient to brag about to them.

I fish winter time as well. Usually have the water to myself while I clear the ice from the rod tip.

 

[Millsertime]

I think calling out somebody for high/low holing is stupid if you're on public water. If somebody is fishing too close to me, I move rather than get pisssy. Easier said than done sometimes, yes.

Does high/low holing etiquette change if you're fly fishing drakes on Penns or flossing on Salmon River? 😂

What happens if I'm missing upstream and somebody else is fishing downstream. We park at different areas but we both meet in the middle. Who is holing who? Who has the right to get pisssy?

 

[Nocktavius]

I like to think about it relative to the spacing between other anglers on the river. The examples above about the Penns drakes or Pulaski are obvious because you don’t go there expecting solitude during those events. If you walked downstream and I was walking upstream during the BWO hatch on a weekday in late March on Penns and there were only 2-3 other guys out there, I think I would be reasonable to expect you to not start fishing where I could see and talk to you. I probably wouldn’t say anything but you’d probably also know what you’re doing isn’t cool.

For example, yesterday AM before launching the Clack I was wade fishing a pretty popular spot below a big green bridge on a cold Catskills tailwater and was the only person I could see in either direction for at least a half mile. Sure enough, right after landing and releasing a nice 19” wild rainbow chock full of **** and vinegar, some guy emerges from the knotweed and slides right out into the riffle not more than 50 feet above me. Looked right at me, didn’t say anything, and just went to town. I was leaving anyway bc the sun was starting to penetrate into the deeper water I was fishing and I had had a solid morning, but to me this seemed analogous to taking the urinal next to somebody in a row of 10 empty terlits.

Now if it had been a Friday evening and there were 5 other guys there (I’d argue you still should go somewhere else, but let’s say for the sake of simplicity somebody dropped you off and you’re already committed)- I think him entering the water possibly in that exact same spot might have still been a little close but maybe a bit more acceptable. Context matters.

I’m sure it depends on season, water type, species, region, experience level and a myriad of other factors. And if I’m dry fly fishing, I’d much rather you high hole me than low hole me. Either way, I try to remember I’m just letting em go anyway

 

[shortrod]

I think calling out somebody for high/low holing is stupid if you're on public water.

Your "thinking" is flawed. It would be "stupid" to call out someone for high/low holing on private water if the holer was the land owner or a close relative.

 

[Solitariolupo]

This is what the net gave me for a def. the discourteous act of stepping into the water directly upstream of another angler who is already fishing a section of a river


Sounds like an old term of someone just moving in on you fishing cause they see you catch fish. Ha I guess this doesn’t apply for opening day as when I go out I expect to fish with others and know you sometimes gotta take turns casting. Should try combat fishing for steelhead.
Another is you can’t stop them from fishing a hole on public waters. Also sometimes you just gotta fish a spot cause that’s where the fish are hiding. So I go to the spots and have to fish with others. If they are nice then be nice if not I can be a mean SOB. Sometimes

I’ve had a couple times where someone tried to kick me out and he got an ear full just to leave. It happens to those who think they own the creek. Best sometimes to walk away or just say nothing nowadays.

 

[shortrod]

Does high/low holing etiquette change if you're fly fishing drakes on Penns or flossing on Salmon River? 😂

Yes, it changes for many reasons, even within the same stretch of the same body of water.

 

[shortrod]

What happens if I'm missing upstream and somebody else is fishing downstream. We park at different areas but we both meet in the middle. Who is holing who? Who has the right to get pisssy?

No one is holing in this situation. When it has happened to me we exchange pleasantries an on with the rest of our day. No need to get pisssy. In fact you are the only one talking about that.

 

[TheDuke44]

Also, why do high-holers always wade right into the middle of the good-looking water? Is it just inexperience?

 

[Nymph-wristed]

What happens if I'm missing upstream and somebody else is fishing downstream. We park at different areas but we both meet in the middle. Who is holing who? Who has the right to get pisssy?

Yeah, that is not high holing. No one getting pissy there, or they shouldn't.

It's also the silent treatment that is a dead give away that you have yourself an intentional high holer 😁 Unlike in a court of law, the silence is the admission of guilt.

 

[wildtrout2]

So, this can get technical real fast, right?

Apparently. 😉

High holing isn't a new phenomenon, prolly be happening for a very long time. It's just that it's been given a name and been more noticeable/experienced in the last however many years.

Thankfully, I've only experienced it once, but it was soooo blatant. If it's done by what appears to be an inexperienced angler, that's one thing, but when it's done by an older fisherman who appears as though they should know better, that's a very different story.
The guys that did it to me knew exactly what they were doing. It was obviously intentional, since we were on a small, remote Class A mountain stream, and they know what happens when someone is above you on these types of streams

 

[Nymph-wristed]

btw, it's available in PA but it might make a bigger impact on the front of your vehicle if your state is so inclined 🤣