Fly Fishing

The way you are perceived and accepted by fellow anglers may not be high on your list of priorities when learning how to fly fish. However, there are some common courtesy points that all fishermen should abide by to make the experience as pleasant as possible for everyone.

While the rules of politeness may not always be accented in our society as much as it once was, we should have respect for our fellow sportsmen just as they should have the same respect for you.

This also extends beyond treating others with respect, it also entails respecting the resources you are fishing on. The water, the banks, the woods, and all of outdoors should be treated with common courtesy so it is not damaged for future generations. To leave no mark where you have passed in your fishing adventure is showing the ultimate respect.

Here are a few common rules of courtesy you should follow when fly fishing:

• A section of water belongs to the first person fishing it. It is inconsiderate to crowd an angler who was there first.
• A slow moving or stationary angler has the right to remain where he/she is. If you are moving, leave the water and quietly walk around the angler in position in the water.
• If an angler is resting the water, or allowing the water to calm down after some form of disturbance, let them be. Generally, after a fish has been caught, the act of the fight scares the rest of the fish and makes them hesitant to hit on a fly, so you rest the water until it is fishable again. They might be planning their next move too. When an angler is resting the water, it is his or her water. Don't jump in without permission.
• A person working upstream has the right of way over someone fishing downstream.
• Always yield to an angler with a fish on the line.
• Do not enter the water directly in front of someone already in the water.
• Always recognize property rights. Leave all gates as you found them.
• Do not litter. If you brought it in, take it out. Leave the area cleaner than you found it.
• Try not to make tracks whenever possible.
• Wade only when necessary. The aquatic food chain is fragile.
• Obey all state and local fishing laws and rules.
• Never attempt to land someone’s fish for them if they have not asked you to help. You do not want the responsibility of losing some guys ‘lifetime’ fish.
• Do not offer suggestions on what kind of fly to use unless asked. It is downright amazing what fish will hit on. If you have good luck and a fellow angler isn’t, you might say, “This Chicken hole Special really seems to be working, I have an extra if you would like to try it.” Mean it, or don’t say it.
• Respect others property rights. That means fences and gates. Close all gates behind you. No trespassing means NO trespassing. You can find out who owns the property and ask permission. Most folks will happily say yes! However, no really means NO.
• Leave your cell-phone and beeper in the vehicle. There is no place for cell-phones, radios, boom boxes, or worse yet beepers on the river or stream. Your rights are your rights only if they do not infringe on the rights of others. Fishing ought to be an enjoyable experience for all. Don't spoil it for others.
• Just in case you end up in a situation where some ignorant clod violates any of the "rules" above, explain as politely as possible their error. It sometimes works. Maybe no one ever told them about angling manners.
• If the clod decides his or her fishing is more important than yours, do not stoop to their level of “clodsmanship”. Move on. You probably won't catch anything with the clod (or clodette) there, and the stress of having to be around such people isn't worth it.

People fish to relieve stress, not create it. When you have someone trying to intrude on your peacefulness, it’s best just to walk away rather than exacerbate it. Remember that a little common sense goes a very long way when it comes to basic etiquette.