Most fly fishers take river etiquette very seriously. I like to think of them like knights of medieval times with their chivalrous codes of honor. They took pride in what they were doing and in the reputation they were upholding. The same goes for fly fishers- respecting the river and those on the river is a very big deal.
A bad encounter on the river can spoil a day's fishing and unfortunately, it is probably going to be what you end up telling to anyone who asks how fishing was. But I think the majority of run-ins on the river are rooted in ignorance rather than selfishness. The good news is that ignorance is a disease that can be cured with a little education.
There is so much to say on the subject of river etiquette, so we are going to start off with some of the basics. It is obvious that the first important rule is to always check local laws and regulations. Many areas have their regulations posted online now so there is no excuse.
Another key rule is very simple: Respect the other fishermen on the river. The general guideline is first come first serve. This means that if there is already someone in your favorite spot, you need to move on and find somewhere else or wait. But it is also important for those that have gotten to the river first to be courteous to others as well. Hogging a prime fishing spot for an entire day when you know others are waiting for you is bad form.
Like much etiquette in our everyday lives, common sense is your best friend. Respecting those around you shouldn't be that complicated or difficult. Would you appreciate someone stomping through your water and fishing right in front of you or floating into your stretch and camping out? Well, obviously not, so don't do it to others!
A good rule of thumb is to start out thinking that every fly fisher on the river is your friend (you never know, someday they might be), and treat them accordingly. You wouldn't yell at your friend, or try to steal their waters.
Fly fishers are notorious for being respectful and willing to help each other. What a great thing to be known for! Let's earn that reputation and as new fly fishers are starting out, it's up to us to lead by example.
Angie Stephens
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