TRANSLATION / Etiquette, ethics & Courtesy

Methinks that the definition of translation and rotation is difficult because both (depending on how you define rotation) can occur together. See http://www.letsflyfish.com/flycasts.htm the sketches are from a series of high speed pictures and show my hand movement for a pick up and lay down cast. The edge of the pink area approximately tracks the top of the rod handle. Now this may just be my style/body shape but lifting your hand at the elbow certainly creates a radius but there is no wrist break at that time. “Linear” (approximately straight line) movement occurs prior to the wrist rotation and stop.

Best wishes,

Ally Gowans

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Ally.... YES, INDEED !!!!! I find it very difficult to have much if any PURE TRANSLATION with any cast I make. When I try to have pure rotation, most of the time I've mixed it with some rotation.

Gordy

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Up here in AK, for example, it would appear that there is NO etiquette to the casual observer. Whoever gets there first gets to fish THAT EXACT SPOT. If you catch a fish and have to take it to the bank to beach it, you'll get to fight your way back into your spot. People fish 6 feet apart, and that's just the way it is. There's only a mile to fit 1000 anglers; you do the math... For that very reason, I rarely fish in the daytime. Night fishing is MUCH more relaxed and productive for a flyrodder. If you fish in the daytime, and use the "cast & take a step" approach, the guy immediately downstream from you is gonna eat you for lunch when you encroach on his water...

I fully agree that no single set of, "rules of etiquette" could possibly fit all or even most fishing scenarios.

As you know, even in Alaska there are big differences ..... all depending upon the fishing pressure. We've had, for example, the luxury of fishing pristine Alaskan streams which are way out of range of the float planes and fish camps...... our own small group had the entire stream or river to ourselves.

When you have high fishing pressure due to lots of anglers on limited waters you seem to have two main approaches around the world. 1. Every man for himself . or 2. Some form of voluntary system which effectively shares the rescource.

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Salmon Fishing Etiquette

· First Turn: First person to arrive has the first opportunity over the pool

· First Step: Begin fishing at the head of the pool

· Cast: Make a cast and fish the fly to the dangle (until the fly stops moving across the pool and hangs directly down stream of the caster)

· Move: Advance one step and cast (as above)

· Raised Fish: If a fish is raised you are allowed enough additional time to try a second fly over the raised fish. Learn the procedure for changing flies quickly.

· Following : Other persons follow first caster in order of arrival at the pool.

· Room To Cast: Stay a "little more" than a cast length behind the person in front of you to avoid 'tangling' lines.

· Help Others: Help less-experienced casters if asked. Don't give unsolicited advice.

· Don't Litter: When convenient, pick-up garbage, even if it is not yours.

· Where to wade: Don't wade in water where salmon may lie - Salmon often lie in quite shallow water. ( Ask the regulars).

· Obey Regulations: Observe fishing regulations.

· Report Poachers: They are stealing from you.

· Note Local Customs: Follow the 'local custom' of fishing. It may vary from river to river. If you show respect for the rights of other fishermen on the pool you shouldn't get into trouble fishing any river.

· Respect Others: If another fishermen hooks a salmon, reel in your line until the fish is landed, released,(or lost).

· Be Helpful: If another fishermen asks you to help land a hooked fish, do so to the best of your ability.

· Give others a Chance: If you are lucky enough to hook and land a salmon go to the 'tail end' of the line. Don't expect to resume your place in the line.

· Release gently: Any fish to be released should be handled gently. Rule of thumb: Minimum revival time should EQUAL playing time. Don't "throw" fish back in the water.

Excerpt from the Atlantic Fly Fishing School Manual (1993)

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The ethics of fly fishing in salt waters can vary tremendously according to the venue and fishing pressure. This ranges from that of surf fishing where there are few other fishermen to the, "COMBAT FISHING" during striper runs in the fall at Montauk. Totally different, again, when fishing flats for bonefish.

One of our messages on fly fishing ethics pertained to the dry fly fisherman who fished upstream and a nymph fisherman fishing downstream. This engendered an interesting question my Mary Ann Dozier: