Passing a boat or bank anglers while you are running is just the way it is on our Northwest rivers.  However, when it is crowded and you are running on step, try to run where you will have the least impact on other boats and bank fisherman.

When you are going down river and you are going through a spot where it is a crowded situation you should always idle slowly thru all the boats until it is clear to run again.  When you are running up river in a crowded situation, if the river current allows, you should idle by all the boats until it is clear to run again.  If the river current is flowing too hard and you can't idle by, it is better to run on step by all the boats than to plow by slowly, throwing an even bigger wake.  If you stay on step the wake settles out much more quickly.  Every situation is different.  The main thing is that you use good judgment, common sense and be respectful of the other anglers, whether boat or bank anglers.  Having a good sportsman mentality will go a long way with others on the river and can keep an unsafe situation from developing. 

One thing that really scares me is a serious safety concern to anyone on the irver.  I have seen quite a few people on the river in the dark with no navigation lights or even a flashlight. 

In some situations if the fog is not too thick, boats will run in the dark to get a good spot that they want to fish for Coho.  This is fine, as long as they are running with navigation lights.  I have seen some close calls and I have even had some close calls with boats both on anchor, and running in the dark with no navigation lights on at all.

All boats have lighting requirement according to their size. If you are unsure what your lighting requirements are you can check on the US Coast Guard website or in the “Rules Of The Road” hand book, which is online and even in the Washington State Boaters pamphlet.  If you are anchored in the dark or fog you should have at least a hand held flashlight illuminated.  You should also have a horn, or whistle to give warning to other approaching boats.

Please be safe and have a good time on the river.