Stream/River Etiquette

[spindilla1 42]

Respect an Angler's Space

This is probably the most violated rule on the river. Many popular sections of a river can be very crowded during the spawning run. Crowding another angler is inconsiderate. If you approach him or her, make sure to ask before moving into the area. Give the angler enough space so the two of you can fish without interference.

Don't Walk into a Run

Nothing aggrevates a veteran steelheader more than another angler walking into a run of fish. Most of the time it's because the person is not familiar with the stream. Most new steelheader's are not yet accustomed to reading water. A common rule I use is "don't go past your knees". Once again, watch where people are fishing. If you're not sure, ask.

Don't Jump into Another Person's Spot

When an angler is fighting a fish, more than often they may have to move from their spot to land the fish. This doesn't mean the space is available, because more than likely the person is coming back.

Don't Play a Foul Hooked Fish

If you foul hook (accidentally snag) a steelhead, snap the line. Tackle is cheap. Most foul hooked steelhead are very difficult to control, resulting in injury or unnecessary stress to the fish. Once foul hooked, they will leap from the water and thrash about, spooking the other fish. If you repeatedly fight foul hooked fish in a crowded section, you'll become very unpopular. Also, you will find most game wardens look at this practice unfavorably.

Tolerate Other Forms of Fishing

This is a never ending debate on the local rivers: fly fishermen Vs bait fishermen. To some anglers, fly fishing is the only way to catch steelhead, because they are a trout. I use both fly and spinning gear. One day, I may use minnows - another day I'll drift nymphs. Nothing gets my blood boiling faster than a loudmouth elitist. There is no better or worse style of fishing for steelhead.

Respect People's Property

This has become a major problem on Lake Erie's tributaries. Every year more and more landowners have posted "No Trespassing" signs on their property because they're fed up with garbage left behind and a general lack of respect. If you come upon a posted property don't trespass. If you want to fish there, ask the landowner. If they say "no" respect their wishes. If they allow you, do something nice in return such as cleaning up garbage along the shore.

Don't Litter

Often when I'm fishing I see garbage everywhere. First of all it's pollutes the environment and it's an eyesore. Some sections of streams have been closed to fishing because landowners were fed up with garbage along their property. Make it a habit to pick up discarded monofilament, cans and other trash, and dispose of them properly.

Questioning Anglers that Keep or Release Fish

There is nothing wrong with keeping a fish. Likewise, there is nothing wrong with releasing your catch. If you see an angler release a nice size fish, it is considered rude to say "Aren't you going to keep that?" or "You should keep that one!".

Give Others Space When Fighting A Fish

Give other anglers enough room to land their catch. If it's necessary, take your line out of the water to give them some space. This may happen when you're fishing down river and another angler has to move down river to land a fish.

Walk Quietly Around Others

Be courteous to those already on the streams. Walk behind other anglers and out of the water if possible. If you must stay in the water, walk with minimum surface disturbance.

I basically took this from another forum, thought these things should be outlined as I lost a few fish due to lack of consideration from other anglers.

[spindilla1 42]

This goes for salmon too!

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

It's all about respect.

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Go to the current river everyday for the next 2 weeks and you'll see the worst of the worst. I film every snagger I see there.

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Edited.

[spindilla1 42]

Maybe I should just put on my waders and go across there......

[arvey 154]

you should have the same respect when out hunting , but that is few a far between . people just don't care . arvey

[kbrest 151]

Amen to that article. Also, every ethical fishermen on the river, don't forget the MNR TIPS Line on speed dial. Worked for me last year, well, I made the call and 5 minutes after there was a game warden their and charged two guys for snagging fish. Now, I don;t think my call resulted in a 5 minute response time and was probably a coincidence, but still felt good! Maybe Brodie should have slingshots on the otherside of the river, maybe somebody snagging gets hit in the face by a marble, maybe the problem goes away.....hahah

[kbrest 151]

....Just in case......I was joking about the slingshots. Camera works well enough...

[flybum 95]

I will totally slingshot someone... Or toss one of my musky lures at them... See how they like being snagged :-)

[Lyle Reiner 174]

but the pinks fight so much harder with a rapala in their back

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Anyway, I've always been civil but I'm not opposed to grabbing pics or video and a license plate number.

[spindilla1 42]

Does anyone think this deserves a sticky in the fly and spey section?

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Feel free to share Duck.

[Guest scavs]

I can think of one more that sometimes tickles my nerves GET ANY FISH YET DUDE???? (At the top of their lungs as they approach you from down-river or actually attempt to shout across the river) tred lightly signal the angler and chat quietly if the angler appears to be working the pool/run.

[kbrest 151]

And if you reply "yes" to this, it usually follows by "what are you using?" in an equally loud tone. Followed by a cast over your drift, and a Tim Hortons Cup/beer can being discarded on the ground or on a tree. lol

[Guest Wes]

I've posted those very same "unwritten rules" every spring for the past couple years. I've noticed a small improvement on the river but not much.

Wes

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Great read Duck. Very good points.

[brookiebuster 117]

Great points here. Got to love those people on the river that don't have a shred of common sense.

[spindilla1 42]

The Duck:

These days people are online while fishing the rivers.

[Guest brookieslayer]

And that is exactly what the Duck was referring to...

[Lyle Reiner 174]

Surely there is etiquette in every style of fishing. but because of the rules that are now written that were previously unwritten, I will continue to boycott the elitist society that is steelheaders and fly anglers. Now I am not saying all fly anglers are arrogant pricks with their head so far up their rear end, I know a couple on this board who are fantastic multi species, steelhead specialists, who are great people. But lots aren't ( and I've met them off the river). Wes don't take this as a shot toward you as I have a great amount of respect for you, as well as Frank, Brent Richards, John George, Gc, Terry and other members of the NSSA.

For the most part the rest of them do NOT encourage you to learn, they will NOT share tips or help you. I have spent a lot of time on various rivers, trying to observe and learn from other anglers just to be told to f off when I asked them a question on rigging or how to read a river. I have also offered to pay a few people to teach me the art of fly casting, only to be told my equipment is sub par and they won't bother until I have a decent rod and reel. So for the reasons above, you can have your elitist society of angling, you cam have your chrome fish too. I won't come trudging up your run or walk down stream of your spey, or tell people where you caught your 7lb fish. You csn bet someone will tho, and I hope they don't mind when you yell at them for not knowing your rules.

Oh and last time I checked, Gold and Bronze are worth way more than chrome and steel, just sayin

[kbrest 151]

And the pot has officially been stirred....

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

It's very unfortunate that anyone has ever told you to F off on the river. Myself, as well as the people I fish with are not elitist, we don't have really expensive gear nor do we keep our secrets to ourselves. We share and invite anyone down to the river to share info and techniques. I have met many fly fisherman on the river from this site and all of them have stopped to chat and we have all ended up trying to help each other out. I have met other fly fishers who are pricks too, I've also met bass anglers, walleye anglers, and big water salmon fisherman who are pricks. The thing of it is, I don't think you should generalize so much. Like I said, your feelings towards fly fisherman are unfortunate. Sorry to hear your so bitter. As a MULTI species angler myself, I want to tap into all the fishing resources I have, and battling a fish on a fly rod can't be compared to battling a fish on a spinning, both are extremely, and equally fun, yet different. Take care, have a good day dude. Tight lines.

[Guest cmcrawfo]

I feel bad for you guys ..... some times I wish I would see another person out on the river. I guess it can turn into a real gong show.

Most folks I meet on the river are very civil and happy to chat.....sometimes reading people can be just as important as reading a river.

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Lyle's comments are generalized stereotypes, unfortunately most stereotypes are built on fact.... just like if you show up some place with sub standard gear, carrying a Timmy's cup (or beer) everyone assumes that all the garbage is yours, or that the mess of broken line must be mine... or that I am going to mess up their drift, or ask them a dumb question. Its really interesting, the assumptions we make of others based on their appearance. I used to wear thigh length hunting boots and a ratty old bush jacket to the river, I upgraded to Sims waders and a clean jacket and it was like night and day......Suddenly, people were asking me questions and taking my questions more seriously. ridiculous, but true.