Sketchy fisherman?

kbarn · Veteran Member

Sketchy fisherman?

stlhdr · Veteran Member

In the late '60s and early '70s the Zodiac used to hang out around there, didn't he?

Cole Davis · Senior Member

Yup, killed a young couple at Berryessa if I remember correctly.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Well the zodiac killer died.

rgloft · Senior Member

I dont think so ! some people say they think they still see him staring from the woods along the creek > wooooo woooooooo Blair witch aaaaaaaaaa

East Bay Ed · Senior Member

Some times someone beats me to a spot and I'll watch them for a while. It's interesting to see how different people approach a hole. It may be he was only checking out your technique and learning from a master fly fisherman.

kbarn · Veteran Member

Yeah, that's the optimistic view. I've run into a few weirdos so I'm biased and generally alarmed when these types of encounters occur. Trust me, I'm no master! I once ran into a guy taking pictures of me. I confronted him and he told me a weird story about a headless spirit crossing the river on fire. Crazy world we live in.

iamamultitasker · Senior Member

It's considered polite to say something if you stand there watching someone even if you are just studying another guy's technique. Staring for a long time is menacing behavior. I would have said something to him to figure out what the story was.

Since the topic of the Zodiac Killer came up there is a scene in the movie (watched it twice) where the Zodiac goes after the two students at Lake Berryessa. He stands staring (was it 5 minutes?) before doing his bad deed. Just saying..... wink

kbarn · Veteran Member

Maybe the fact I didn't say something menaced him. One thing is that I didn't notice a fishing rod.

By the way, people drive way too fast and crazy on 128!

rgloft · Senior Member

the msytery continues , Woooooo lol

Black Cloud · Senior Member

This might be the way to keep the crowds away feom Putah Creek, stories about spooky people. There was a book out in 2003 about the Zodiac . The main suspect lived in Vallejo and did fish at Putah Creek, he passed away several years ago so it mught be his ghost.

rgloft · Senior Member

Did it say that he fished putah in the book????

Otter · Senior Member

Here is a link that says the Zodiac killer may still be out there..... http://www.unsolvedrealm.com/2011/02/04/zodiac-killer-identity-solved/

Black Cloud · Senior Member

The book was called "Zodiac Unmasked" by Robert Graysmith. The book says he fished Putah, I don't think he was a fly fisherman. He definatly lived in this area, besides Berryesa, he murdered people in Vallejo and Benicia.

iamamultitasker · Senior Member

Back in the 90's I was fishing near #5 in the late afternoon and heard a rustling behind me. Spun around and saw a Vietnamese guy with a hatchet in his hand. Gulp! ashamed

Turned out he said he was hunting for mushrooms and was using the rather large hatchet as a machete. You might think me a chicken, but at that point I reeled in and packed up for the day!

-- Edited by iamamultitasker on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 06:44:42 AM

Nighthawk · Member

My strangest encounter on the creek was nearly tripping over some drunk while walking downsteam from the bridge. He was half in and out of the water. I first thought he was dead but I was able to get him to respond enough to let me know he was okay. Only problem is that he was still there and less responsive when I walked back about an hour later. Called 911 from the resort and their first question was "what side of the creek?" I'd forgotten that it splits Napa and Yolo Counties. Ambulance from Winters came and got him. disbelief

kbarn · Veteran Member

LOL! I would have left as well.

stlhdr · Veteran Member

Black Cloud wrote:
I don't think he was a fly fisherman.

There's no doubt that he was a bait chucking redd tromper. :)

Conjecture was that he was captivated by water, since so many of his crimes occurred near water or locations with names associated with water. 1st killing was Benicia (Lake Hermon Rd).

I think that guy Graysmith was with the Chronicle when it was all happening.

kbarn · Veteran Member

This is interesting. I think hearing everyone's stories of sketchy people while fishing is a real eye opener. It makes me wonder if I should pack some heat.

iamamultitasker · Senior Member

This is an interesting thread. The Zodiac continues to capture the imagination and even today remains a topic of speculation, even obsession by some.

As far as packing goes, the only damage that's been done so far as I've seen by these messages is somebody got scared. IMO, someone is more likely to actually get hurt if we all start carrying weapons around with us.

Not that it hasn't occured to me...

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

This past fall season, I ran into some sketchy looking guy around access 5 twice. He was watching me as I went to the island, then I saw him go check out my car and then he went back to watching me from the parking lot. I think he was guarding his "medicinal" crops. The top of the island started to smell a little skunky around that time. I've also ran into some tweeks smoking meth in some bushes before at like 5:30 in the morning at that. Then there is the time my friend was crossing back from the island and there was a naked guy just standing in the middle of the creek with his hands on his hips staring at the sky. Those are just a few of the many stories of sketchy/weird people out at the creek. I bet some of you have some good stories of some weirdos out at the creek.

- Nic

-- Edited by Xnjb707X on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 09:04:24 PM

SK60 · Senior Member

Don't forget that discharging a firearm on the creek is illegal, although carrying is not.

kbarn · Veteran Member

Don't worry. I have no plans of discharging a firearm on the creek.

Sammy · Member

very entertaining thread. Can't say I've had anything along those lines happen to me, other then just getting the feeling someone or something was watching me.

lightfoot · Senior Member

Years ago I had a meth head? Sneak up behind my friend and I with a recurve bow at full draw stating "you are trying to kill me". We were just above the big island before lake Solano.

Vehicle break ins used to be common along the creek. Approaching somebody that is fishing alone and out of site from the road ian't a very far fetched next step for somebody with ill intentions.

kbarn · Veteran Member

What do you all feel is your best method of protection other than being aware? Mace, gun,etc? This is inclusive of both animals and weirdos.

drifter · Senior Member

Manners, respect even if not respected, and gun, in that order.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

This is probably the most interesting thread I've seen in a long time! I too remember the Zodiac, when I was a kid we used to have armed detectives on our school buses to protect us from this psycho. I like your way of thinking Drifter! And lastly Nic that person standing in the creek in his b-day suit was me, I was just working on my tan and getting a little fishing in at the same time and I was staring at the sky looking for the baetis hatch that I knew was going to happen any minute....sorry if I startled you.... was it obvious the water was really cold? biggrin Bono

rgloft · Senior Member

OMG Greg Thats so funny I am heading to the creek as I speak have a good day everyone to funny

Black Cloud · Senior Member

Here is something to add to the thread. A tattoo artist in Benicia did a tattoo of the Zodiac Killer for a client. Do people get dumber by the day? This was yesterday.