Fly Fishing Ettiquette, Manners, "rules" & Behavior

I have added that article about etiquette over three pages on www.letsflyfish.com. Hope that it is of useful interest.

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COMMENT: I've attached three of Ally's articles on Fly Fishing Etiquette, as well as on Manners, "Rules" and Behavior.

You can also navigate his link to pick up these and a great many other pearls of wisdom. Bear in mind that these articles were written with fishing in Scotland in mind, however, the principles pertain in general as issues of common sense. Local customs will prevail and will vary tremendously place to place. Some even change with the seasons.

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the lift, most of the time, is almost all translation (loading move). it is the beginning

as a catskill fisherman I abide by the dry-fly-fisher-moving-upstream-right-of-way rule.

... though, as a die-hard streamer fisher, is totally unfair!! I strip streamers from one town,

down stream to the next and when i work my way down to a 'statue of a dry fly fisherman' I quietly

get out of the river well up from them, softly walk behind and below to slip back into the water.

if they seem open to a wave and a nod, I do, if not fine. many want to be left alone_ quiet_ their

days. simple, polite questions such as, "are you moving upstream?" "may I fish below

or above you?" and a closing comment "thanks, enjoy your day" keep both parties grounded.

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I agree with you that the customary, "rule" of the dry fly fisher having the upstream right of way is not really fair to others. It is an old fashion concept borne of the traditions of yore one of which was the conception that somehow dry fly fishers were a sort of nobility among fly fishers in general. Where it prevails, however, one needs to recognize it as a product of old tradition. Sounds as though you handle it very well.

As you have pointed out, sometimes good friendly communications solves the problem. Gordy

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     1) The first boat on the flat has the right of way. You should never try to motor in on top of them, or jump ahead of them. Watch the direction they are poling or working, and if you must fish the same flat, go in behind them. The only exception to this rule, is if someone is anchored on the flat. It is then acceptable to fish the areas of the flat that are more than 100 yards away. If for any reason, you must get closer than this, then rods should be lowered, let the other boat know your intentions, and then silently pole by.

     2) If working docks, the boat working the area first, has the right of way. Usually, they will be working with the current, so you should go down current. Never get within two docks. You should never jump ahead of the front boat, unless invited to do so, or unless they anchor up. When a boat anchors, move away from it and stay as far away as possible, for at least two docks, then re-enter and begin fishing again.

     3)&nb sp;If an angler is poling a flat, you should never run your boat within 200 yards, if at all possible. There are exceptions, if the person is poling the edge of a running lane or channel. Still, all effort should be made to run as far away as possible. We have a simple way of telling if someone is too close. If the poler stops poling and looks back, then you are too close and annoying the angler or fish. Move away.

     4) With the huge increase in kayaks, we are having a big problem of them moving in on boaters. I am a kayaker and boater, so it irritates me even more. The kayaker's excuse, "I'm silent and don't spook fish." Sorry, but yes you do and it is still a flagrant foul to move in so close to a boater that they can hit you with a cast. Also, you should never try to paddle into any cove that others are already fishing - in our area, the coves are small and can usually only support one boat and a couple of yaks. We feel that the same rules apply to kayaks, as they do to boats, no matter the fact that they are quieter.

     Etiquette has become a huge issue, as flats fishing gets even more popular. We have even thought of taking paintballs and "lighting up" violators, so they can be easily recognized - while it may make us feel better for a few moments, we also know that it wouldn't be good for the environment and it is illegal.

  &n bsp; I also like the fact that everyone has emphasized that local rules differ from area to area. This is definitely accurate. I remember the first tarpon trip I took to Islamorada, in my own boat. It will really pay to visit a local shop or talk with a local guide and see what rules they play by. It can avoid a lot of frustration and embarrassment.

    John Tarr

Gordy and Group,

Saltwater Ethics in the Surf, on the Beach and even in the boat…. Are minimal until the fish show… then there are None!

I have had 100’ of beach all to myself casting happily along a Jetty only to have a Bait fisherman stake out between me and the jetty. 100 miles of beach in either direction, but that is where he had to be. I tried to educate/explain but that wasn’t going to be an option…. After all that was his spot, been fishing there for years!

Been on the beach alone for hours but when fish approached been almost trampled by sprinting, cell phone toting spin fishermen with plugs dangling and swinging … to the point that casting became impossible. Instant Crowd… whizzing metal and everything else in all directions…. Good place to backcast a 1/0 into someone’s jugular…

I have been in a boat working the edges of a Blitz and had other boaters run right through the fish putting them all down.

I have seen live liners letting their offerings work only to have their braided spectra lines caught up in crossing boat props…. Actually was quite humorous as my buddy exclaimed “Idiot!....Take it … Take it all …. I’m going to give you all I’ve got” as he let at least a hundred yards spool out …. All winding around the Idiots prop shaft, tightening and tightening with every revolution …. That’ll cost him…

Of course there are the other exchanges of pleasantries, hand gestures and the like.

I’ve seen it all .

Since becoming involved in the FFF CI program (and especially the Masters ….) I have tried to educate the uneducated … elevate my standards… take the high road … but with mixed methods (fly, spin, bait, live line etc.) it isn’t always successful. Spin / bait fishermen have no problem with shoulder to shoulder until the lines start crossing … until the fish show up and then it’s “Every Man for Himself” … doesn’t say much for the species but that is the way it is…

We as members of the FFF and instructors have a real challenge in this area. Biggest problem is the mixture of different types of fishing with different space requirements and the reality that so many people have absolutely no understanding of fly fishing or fly casting …. Wind and working currents …. Casting up current, floating sinking and on and on…

Bottom line, for me anyway, I try to be courteous. Let those before me have their space and piece of water. I’ll either wait till they move on or I’ll go find other water. When the opportunity presents itself I have tried to explain the needs of the fly fisherman… working the current, casting space etc., as a gentleman, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.

It all comes down to the Golden Rule…. And a philosophy that considers why you’re there to begin with… if it’s only for the fish that’s one point of view, If it is to enjoy the overall experience maybe moving down the beach is the best choice.

Nevertheless we have to keep on trying to educate, preaching and more importantly exemplifying (the hard part) the Golden Rule.

Hope this helps,

Jim

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