Jerry.....
Good piece....we'll share it.
Gordy
From: jerry puckett <jerry_puckett2001@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Fly fishing ethics & Courtesy
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:45:11 -0700 (PDT)
Gordy, this last year on the Green River, Utah a wading angler and a drifttboat dummy I know indirectly got into it, one cutting the others fishing line and the other one pulling a gun on the cutter. Some of our rivers are crowded and others offer solitude. In drift boats I encourage, if possible, a 300 yard separation from other drift boats and the wader has right of way, don't fish his space and don't crowd him. If you must pass waders or drift boats slow down, pull in the fishing lines and as nicely as you know how, let the other folk know what you are doing. (Sometimes I just wait and watch, learn a lot that way.) Drifting by quietly shows respect. Places like the crowded San Juan River, New Mexico, have what is called the San Juan River shuffle, very tight and crowded but very workable. So respect and kindness between anglers differ in shades from one location to another.I encourage folk to always talk to locate fly shops and people fishing the area specifically about local etiquette; it helps one get dialed in better and helps prevent fractious days. Etiquette is really becoming more important as we have some real nuts out here having encounter several, but the one I really worry about and talk to seriously is the one I see when I look in the mirror. I am trying not to be one of the miserable makers with all this growing river rage. On several occasions I had to simply turn and walk or float away while wading or drifting to avoid confrontations from less than sterling folk. Sometimes it is hard when parents and kids come screaming by jumping in the river HAVING FUN so I always pause and think, "better that kid jumping in the river having fun than doing drugs." I'm not thinking the same thing about the adults/parents and will give them a stare, eye ball to eye ball, colder than the river water. When you puff up like cobra and add 235 lbs.of ugly to that stare it becomes pretty powerful persuasive river medicine. I maintain this posture eyes fixed and focused following responsible adults like a tennis ball until they disappear. Now for this to work it is really important for several reasons to keep the mouth totally shut with no lip twitching. But Officer seriously, I didn't say anything . I love acting; should have been a movie star.Perspective breds patience and understanding. I wish the river belong to me but it doesn't. (Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the river belongs to the one who made it, the Everywhere Spirit, and we are his guests. Do I hear some amens from Native Americans!)Good example and etiquette are great educators and is the only place to start. Yes I agree it is important that we representing the FFF set the example but I try to emphasize the importance to everyone equally inculcating that etiquette starts with me. Now I am off to morning traffic on Interstate-15 /?!s#o"b$m*f!#@%*. Jerry
Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx> wrote:Frank....
Good points. I'll pass on your comments.
Hope to see you and John Dee at the course in Marathon next month !
Gordy
From: Flavoring@xxxxxxx
To: hillshead@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Fly fishing ethics & Courtesy
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 18:06:05 EDT
Gordy,
I agree with you entirely. Moreover, our behavior as CCI or MCCI representing the FFF should be exemplary to all fisherman when dealing with rude or obnoxious anglers .
I have found my home waters over the last several years inundated with new anglers particularly on the weekends. Most do not practice proper etiquette. However, I really believe that it is not intentional. If possible I will try to discuss their actions, but usually I give them the"benefit of the doubt" and then some.
Its their water too.
Frank Ogden
CCI