11/1/01
A Discussion of Ethical Considerations Relating to Fly Fishing

Hello to all my friends at FFS once again. Hope you all enjoyed the last little intro to the new "Articles" section and find me a credible resource for some advice. This month's topic will be on one of the most controversial issues in regards to the sport of fly fishing. Also it is the least taught aspect of the sport and least written about. This is one of the most important skills you can develop in regards to "keeping the peace" among your group and other groups, on and off the water. So tune in and open your mind a little. It may save you from being black balled from your favorite group of fishing friends and if you venture out West, it could save your life. Now on with the show...

Courtesy:
Over our past weekend of fishing, one of my newest fishing buddies, Grizz, and I had a discussion about courtesy. We were both of the same opinion that it is a very basic idea of common courtesy and consideration for others that is the core philosophy behind our fishing actions. So true it is. Some people have outstanding manners and are very personable people to begin with. On the other hand, we have individuals out there that would just as soon see you fall in and drown as fish anywhere in their site. Therein lies the root of many heated debate and controversy around our beloved sport.
You must ask yourself a few questions and you will know the type you are.

1. If you are see a beginner out there really struggling with the cheapest gear known to man, stomping right through the fish, and your water, what do you do?

   A. Freak out and bite the anglers head off and cry like a first grader.
   B. Ask the person if you could show them a couple things and gently explain a few rules. Try starting off       explaining where the fish are. You will see the light go off in their eyes. Explain about staying behind an       upstream angler and giving them some room. Last but not least, give them a fly and help them catch a fish.       Chances are it will be their first fish on the fly. If not, chances are they will be grateful to you and never       stomp through your water again.

2. If you are fishing an area and some other fishermen are looking your way, do you?

   A. Turn your nose up and ignore them.
   B. Throw up a hand or at least nod your head.

I can not express the importance of acknowledging that another angler is there. This sets the tone of your relationship with that person immediately. I know for myself that people who nod or wave are courteous fishermen and women. I give them a wide berth and plenty of room. Someone turns his or her nose up at me and it's on. It sets a tone with me that highly aggravates me. So it goes with many individuals on and off stream. Acknowledge the people around you and you'll be surprised just how far that will get you. I know for me personally that it has led to many rewarding experiences. The person next to you may be famous or a professional angler. He or she could be a guide on that piece of water. I struggle just like everybody else. Be humble and you just may find the fly of the day, which you have never even seen, being handed to you. Your day just went from terrible to outstanding. A couple things have been accomplished in this simple scenario.
1. You just won the respect of a fellow angler
2. You may have just received a "secret" or local fly pattern not available commercially.
3. BOTH of you are happy about the transaction.
4. You now have the fly that will get you some strikes where there were just none, equaling a rewarding day spent on stream.

Distance to other Anglers:
This is where things start to get a little fuzzy and controversial. There are defiantly some things to do and some things not to do. Here are a few.

Things to do:
1. Never go around an angler and jump in the water directly in front of that angler. If I approach an angler from the rear and they are fishing upstream, I immediately stop. I watch for awhile to determine what speed the angler is fishing. Some hit and run, while others may work one spot for hours. If they don't move after maybe 5-10 minutes, I exit the stream. I will slowly and very quietly walk up near the angler. Then I ask how far they are planning on fishing upstream. Be polite. You will be surprised at the number of times I have heard, " I'm about finished. Just leave me a couple more spots" Or better yet, "I'm pissed off, see if you can get em". I have never heard anyone say, " I'm going all the way to the top.. Stay outta my water".
2. If you are fishing downstream, always yield to the upstream angler and don't fish down into the same pool they are fishing. Leave them a little room.
3. Be quiet and stealthy.
4. When you have finished a section, get out of the stream and walk back down so as to not ruin the fishing for an upstream angler behind you.
5. Stay as far or farther from them as you would want them to stay from you.

Things to NOT do:
1. Assume an angler is finished because he or she is sitting beside the stream. A few things may be going on. First off the angler could be merely re-rigging and stepped out to let the fish settle. Secondly, and more important, the angler may be resting a BIG fish they spooked or have already fished to and got refused. Sitting back assembling a new plan of attack. Also the experienced angler will often sit on the side and observe the feeding patterns and insect activity trying to make a more educated guess as to what is going on entomologically. Lots of retiree's are getting into the sport as well. They may just be resting their self. Stay away!
2. Don't fish the same hole as another angler without permission. Ask first.
3. Don't cast into another anglers drifting lane.
Don't get within reasonable casting range of another angler either upstream or downstream

Delayed Harvest VS WILD waters:
Distance is also variable according to the type of water being fished. People tend to fish closer and bend the rules a lot more on stocked streams such as our Delayed Harvest streams. Wild Trout streams may require a mile or more distance being put in between anglers. If I see another angler on a Wild stream, I am going to talk to the person and figure out where they are headed and how far. I would rather leave and find another stream as to ruin a person's day on a Wild stream. These places are sacred ground and should be treated as such. Tread easy and respectfully.

Catch and Release:
I won't make bold statements on the right or left wing of this issue. This is one of the hottest topics of the sport. I do believe in catch and release and practice it 99.9 percent of the time. After legally catching and releasing thousands of trout, I do believe that it is my right on occasion to keep a stocked trout for my palatable enjoyment. I can count on my 10 fingers the number of trout I have kept since I started fly fishing 10 years ago. Many studies have concluded that in NC, many of the local streams reach temperatures that exceed the limit for trout to survive the summer. That is why Delayed Harvest was started to begin with. When the water opens back up to General Hatchery Supported, I have no problem with people keeping their legal limit of fish. I would rather see them eaten as to go to my local stream and see 1000 dead trout lying there. All I will say is that the rules are the rules, live with them. Short and Sweet!

Bait Fishermen:
I have to admit that when I see bait fishermen, I do feel certain things. I do however relay respect to these fishermen. Some are merely fly fishermen waiting to happen. Some, such as my dad, always followed the limits and we ate all that we took. My first trout was taken at the Powerhouse below Lake James on some sort of bait and I was dang excited. I appreciate all those times my dad took me fishing with him fishing bait. My roots are as a bait fisherman. Many of these people are very nice and are just out there for the same reasons as you or I. To enjoy being outside next to the water and hopefully fool a trout. Don't look down on these anglers, many are law abiding citizens just as you and I and desire the same rewards sought from a good days fishing. I treat them with the same courtesy as anyone else. Many of them are actually very interested in what you are doing and with a little education can be converted to our side. I did a little on stream conversion of a young gent and his girlfriend on Curtis Creek last year. I ended up letting both of them catch a fish on my fly rod. 2 weeks later they were both there with beginner rigs and to my amazement, catching and releasing fish. Now that made my day. Once again. Be Nice to People!

Confidentiality:
There are many secrets and bits of information out there that can greatly enhance your experiences on stream. Many anglers are very territorial and have places they haunt like old ghosts. These anglers have all kinds of tricks in their head and pocket. When someone relays a specific technique or better yet a new piece of water, you owe it to that person to protect that knowledge and not to broadcast or abuse it. Appreciate the knowledge that has just been bestowed upon thee and guard it well. If you let the cat out of the bag, that same technique may not work anymore or worse yet, you go back to that piece of water and the solitude you seek is gone and anglers are everywhere. Keep the mouth shut and the ears open. This will take you far and you will be rewarded in the end.

To summarize a little and break it down to the bare basics, here's a few things to remember:
It all goes back to what Grizz said, "Have some manners". If you don't have any, learn some. Treat everyone you run across out there politely and courteously. Respect the environment and don't litter. Catch and Release as much as possible. One of the great fly fishers out there said, "the fish you release is your gift to another angler" . Very True. Stay as far away from other people as you would want them to stay away from you. Be patient. Things come to those who wait. Give a wide berth and when in doubt if you are pushing the limits, back off. Be a good steward of the stream and if you see someone having a hard time, give em a hand. Run people off by catching so many fish that they can't stand to watch, not screaming and yelling. Go to ranting and raving and best case scenario you just spooked your own fish. Acknowledge the existence of all the anglers you come across. The bait fishermen you say "Hello" and "How's the fishing" to may not smash the windows on your car, especially in Tennessee, just because you said "Hey". Little things mean a heck of a lot out there. Keep your secrets.
Most of all, BE NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It'll pay off in the end. Relax and enjoy the day. Carpe Diem

These are some random thoughts from the depths of my little mind. Use common sense in every situation you encounter. There are exceptions to every rule I have written about. That one was way too serious, but very necessary, as are the issues discussed above. I'll try and lighten the next one up and throw in a few laughs.
Till next time....
Tight Lines and Smokin Reels.
Lee "Dawg" Costner
Asheville NC

All comments and questions are more than welcome. Feel free to contact me at flyguide2001@hotmail.com or better yet, start a topic of discussion on the Forum. I'd like to see these topics discussed more often.

Next topic. "Nymphs and why I love to fish them"