The following will demonstrate some common points
in the world of fishing and etiquette, dealing with both bank anglers
and boaters.
First and foremost, on a busy river, it
is a common occurrence for the launch ramp area to become congested.
When there are multiple boats attempting to launch at the same
time, be courteous, and do everything in a timely fashion. Don't
sit at the ramp, tying flies on, or having long conversations
with other anglers. Do your best to get into the rotation, and
launch the boat efficiently. Once the boat is in the water, pull
it out of the way if you can, so others can launch. If space is
tight, then leave the launch area, as not to obstruct others trying
to launch. Doing all this in a timely, efficient manner will make
things run smoothly in the morning, setting the mood for the day.
Once on the water, you'll come across
many different scenarios. For example,
when an angler is fishing a small piece of water, you should try
to find another place to fish, or patiently wait your turn. If
there is good water near-by then fish that for awhile, giving
ample room to the other angler. In no way should the other angler
go out of his way while fishing because of you. He has certain
unspoken 'rights' to that water, since he was there first. This
is a general rule that should be followed all of the time. Sometimes
I'll ask an angler if I can jump in behind him, or if he minds
if I fish a certain area. I do this when I think there's a chance
that the angler might be offended if I fished near him.
When I'm floating in a boat and see an
angler fishing down river, I'll carefully
watch him for a while. The first thing I look for is the water
he's fishing, and water he might soon fish. My general rule is
that I estimate the casting distance of which he is fishing, double
that, and that's my 'boundary'. If I see him making a 40-ft. cast,
then I'll row past him at 80-ft. or more. That way, I won't spook
the water he's fishing. The way I look at it, he only has the
water in his general area to fish, while I might cover miles in
a boat, so I give him the right of way with the water around him.
Another instance that occurs quite often
is two boats wanting to fish the same water
at the same time. If one boat is anchored in an area that I want
to fish, I'll wait until he leaves and then drop in to fish. Dropping
in right next to or directly below another boat is totally unacceptable.
To "Low Hole" another boat shows no respect and often leads to
hostility.
If I am guiding and another guide boat
is approaching a run at the same time
as me, I'll try to talk to the other boat to find out their intentions.
He might like the left side of a particular piece of water, and
I might like the right side. A situation like this is ideal, as
both boats can share the water, and there are no feet being stepped
on. If it's a guide I know, then I'll ask how they're doing, and
if they're having a tough day, and if we're not, then I'll let
them have first crack at it.
If I'm drifting near another boat that
is fishing off the anchor, I apply some
of the same rules as with bank anglers. I'll estimate the length
of an average cast, then double that, and that's the minimum distance
at which I'll pass the other boat. If my anglers are fishing,
I'll explain to them the proper etiquette, and have them reel
up, or drift short, not intruding on the other anglers' water.
For the most part, the enjoyment of fly-fishing
isn't so much catching fish, it's the
experience of being in the water, enjoying the beauty and peacefulness
of the river, trying to trick Mother Nature. The one thing that
can ruin all of that is an ignorant angler, invading upon the
area and disrupting the peacefulness of the moment that the other
angler is experiencing. If we all follow these general rules,
and treat others as we'd like to be treated, then our fishing
days will all be great, regardless of how many we catch.
