August 2010 Newsletter
Miss Manners Guide to Fly Fishing Courtesy
On-stream fishing etiquette is a subject rarely discussed. Some recent egregious etiquette violations observed on one of our recent guide trips within the space of a few hours prompt us to bring it up. Let's examine them.
Situation #1: Dick was working with a client who had never fly fished before. After a dry land casting instruction session, Dick and his client waded into the water to work on basic line management and fishing techniques. Another fisherman, without even a nod of acknowledgment, and with no response to a polite "Excuse me?", got into the water and proceeded to wade across the stream no more than 50 feet in front of them, and continued wading right up the middle of the river.
Situation #2: Fifteen minutes later, another fisherman came up from behind Dick and the client, waded past them, sticking close to the bank, and continued up river. Again, no acknowledment of the presence of Dick and his client was made.
Situation 3: Dick and his client had worked their way further up the stream after a few hours of fishing and instruction. Another fisherman appeared out of the willows about 50 feet ahead, and without a glance downstream, began wading right up the middle of the river.
At this point, you might have the same reaction Dick did- what the (expletive deleted) is wrong with these people? The river in question is the North St Vrain in the Wild Basin section of RMNP. The lower mile is lined with willows, there are no streamside paths, and access is not easy except from the Copeland Lake area, where Dick and his client entered the river. It's understandable that anglers would want to enter the stream from this point rather than bushwhacking through as much as a quarter-mile of thickly tangled willows. So, what's the right thing to do in these situations?
The fisherman in Situation 1 was just plain rude and showed little respect for fellow anglers. If there's justice in this world, you'll drown and your body will at least feed the fish if you do this.
The angler in Situation 2 was more courteous- at least he stuck to the bank and waded quietly past with little impact. What could he have one better? First of all, on a small stream, acknowledging the fisherman ahead of you is a good first step. If it's convenient, it doesn't hurt to say "Hi." This lets the other angler know you recognize he or she's occupying that stretch of water. Tell them what you plan to do: "I'm gonna head upstream a ways so I won't be in your way." Then go far enough ahead so that the angler you've encountered has a good half hour of fishing before they get to where you entered the water- the fish should be settled down by the time they get there. A five- to ten-minute walk upstream usually accomplishes this. If the fisherman in Situation 2 had done this, it would have reassured Dick and his client that they would have fishable water ahead.
Situation 3 was probably not intentional; the guy was most likely excited about going fishing and neglected to look around. Had he turned around, he would have seen Dick and his client not far below. This would have given him the opportunity to wade carefully along the bank instead of stomping up the middle of creek scaring and scattering the fish. As in Situation 2, he could have allowed Dick and his client a stretch of more or less undisturbed water to fish. When you enter the water, look around to make sure you aren't impinging on someone else's water as this fellow did.
In a larger river that can be effectively fished in the same area by more than one angler, ask for permission to fish there: "Mind if I fish that run across from you?" The other angler probably won't say no, but if he does, move on.
Miss Manners says that while you may find that you have to pass up a favorite spot from time to time, but your fellow anglers will appreciate it, and you'll feel Oh! so much better about yourself.
Guided Trips
Don't miss out- get your trip booked early. Whether you're interested in local waters or something further afield like the San Juan, the Reef or the Big Horn, we can help you plan the trip you'd like to take. With our extended network of contacts, we can put you in touch with guides around the world. A guided trip makes a great gift. The Laughing Grizzly will also continue to put together trips to destinations like Patagonia and Alaska. Stay tuned for more information.
Saturday Tying Clinics will begin on October 16 and will be held every saturday morning throughmid April 2011. We're lining up another great group of tyers, and we'll have coffee and donuts, too.
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In the Shop
Morningstar Lanyards-A lot of anglers these days are switching from traditional vests to packs and lanyards. Morningstar's version includes a foam fly patch and a heavy duty zinger. $32.95
The Laughing Grizzly Staff