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Tips, Ties And Tactics
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 Steelhead And Trout Etiquette Tips: It Is Not Only For Fly Fisherman
Posted by fliesandfinswest on Saturday, September 30 @ 10:38:12 PDT
Some of you may or may not know that I also write a weekly outdoors column for a newspaper in Western New York. This summer one of the subjects of that column was stream etiquette. Stream etiquette is a subject that is often discussed and rarely practiced by anglers. It seems that once the steelhead start running much of it is forgotten or overlooked. I don’t blame people steelhead on the brain is a debilitating disorder as we all know. However, over the last several years, I have seen a notable lapse in the amount of consideration anglers give to one another, steelhead or otherwise. Angling’s popularity surely has a role in this breakdown. Increased fishing pressure and limited resources lead to overcrowded rivers and flaring tempers.
It is not always wall to wall “combat fishing” and there are still plenty of secluded fishing spots, however, one person’s lack of consideration can really sour a day or even a week, for that matter. Here are some simple rules of the water that I hope will help maximize both your angling experiences as well as others. Remember, we are all out there to have a good time and we all have one thing very much in common—we want to catch fish!
Don’t Crowd Others: This sounds simple enough, although it does leave some room for discretion. How close is too close? On one trip to British Columbia, my fellow compatriots and I found that, apparently to some, the whole country of Canada was too close and that point was made clear to us one night outside a bar. That story, however, may be best told in another forum. The point is that one needs to consider the conditions. Ideally, I like to fish water that is not within sight of any other anglers. If that is not possible, I try to avoid any section of riffle and run occupied by other anglers. Many rivers offer several riffles with flat water below. Often anglers prefer to start in the flat water below the riffle and work their way up to the fast water above. Nothing is more frustrating than starting in a flat only to have someone jump right in the riffle you are working up to. In Montana, that could get you punched in the mouth--or worse. If I am unable to get way above an angler, as in several runs above, I will start below them, far below. They were there first and they deserve that water. The fisherman working upstream has the right of way. This applies to crossing the river as well. If a river is too crowded, then go somewhere else. Who wants to fish with a bunch of other people anyway?! Recently, I have read a lot about anglers concerned with how other anglers are fishing particularly since the steelhead season has begun. I think it should be pointed out that if you are so close to someone else that you “know” they are lining fish, you are too close. As an interesting side note, I think that in a lot of places people think that because they live in an area, or have fished it for a long time, they deserve to fish wherever and whenever--despite what everyone else is doing. That is simply wrong.
Be Polite: If conditions are so tight that close contact is necessary, a little polite conversation is the key. I have even shared the exact same steelhead run with friendly fisherman who make sincere conversation and politely ask if they can share the water. Courtesy can go a long way, but you also have to be gracious and polite if you are told to move along.
Keep The Noise Down: Cell phones, radios, and loud voices belong in the places most of us are trying to escape on the river. Nothing is more annoying to me than hearing someone’s cell phone ring on the river, except maybe someone yelling into one upstream. Of course I bring mine in case of an emergency (and that is a great idea as long as it is turned off).
Walk, Don’t Run: O.k. I admit it; I have run down to the river before. Sometimes the excitement is more than I can bear and, yes, even with that said it is still a bad idea for a multitude of reasons. When you see someone in the parking lot gearing up don’t race to get dressed, then run down to the river to beat them to your favorite hole. There is an off-color joke about a young bull, an old bull, and some cows that illustrates my point perfectly, however inappropriately. Instead of running down, simply ask your fellow angler if he or she would prefer fishing up river or down and let him or her know if you have a preference.
Don’t Spook The Fish: Many trails follow the river closely and follow routes created when people were not fishing near them. Often, they are way too close to the water. Following them right past other anglers fishing will surely spook the fish. Sometimes a little bush whacking is necessary to give others a wide enough berth.
Remember “The Golden Rule”: Treat others with the same respect, awareness, and courtesy that you would like to be treated with. Awareness is a big thing. Not knowing is not an excuse. Some like to cast a long way and fish the far bank, while others like to keep it close. Be aware that what you are doing could be affecting the fish others are trying to catch.
I welcome any other polite, insightful etiquette tips I may have missed.
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Re: Steelhead And Trout Etiquette Tips: It Is Not Only For Fly Fisherman
by wrh on Sunday, October 01 @ 18:23:11 PDT http://robinflyfishing.250free.com | | A good topic to review periodically. The interesting thing that I have noted is that what is proper varies from drainage to drainage as well as state to state. I often feel like a fish out of water when on new water because I don't know the local rules unless a friend is showing me around or no one is around. I don't want to crowd someone and I don't like being crowded. Communicating is the best way to go as long as others are willing to communicate. |
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Photos From The Road |
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