You set aside a Saturday, got geared up, drove to a new trailhead, and spent all morning hiking. Now, as you’re sliding into what looked like a promising river bend on the map, you see it: an unnatural color in the brush and the telltale flash of a loaded fly rod. Someone has beat you to your spot. Now what?
If you’re new to fly fishing or even just the backcountry variety, you probably have some questions about proper on-water etiquette. How close is too close? Is it better to head upriver or down? What should I say in this situation? While there’s never a one-size-fits-all answer, some general guidelines go a long way toward helping anglers avoid confrontation and frustration. These practices help keep our fisheries healthy and wild places. Here’s our list of Do’s and Don’ts while fishing blue lines.
Differences between the backcountry and frontcountry
First, it’s helpful to acknowledge some key cultural differences between fishing in smaller remote waters and their more public cousins. Plenty of actions are acceptable on say, the Madison in July, that just won’t fly when fishing a tiny blue line in the middle of nowhere. On large, crowded rivers, it’s common to have other anglers in your line of sight, especially during peak season. This should never be the case when fishing in the backcountry. While it might be normal to keep a speaker bumping in a drift boat in the summer, loud music is universally unappreciated in the backcountry by those not playing it. In general, people are exploring the backcountry to find some solitude. Keeping a low profile, being respectful of space, and being sure to leave no trace are always good moves. Here are some specifics:
DO: Talk to other people
Chances are good that you’re fishing the backcountry in part to avoid crowds. When you see another angler miles away from the parking lot, your first instinct might be anger or indignation. Talking to this person might be the last thing you want to do, but it will benefit your angling outing greatly. Give a quick introduction and politely ask which way they’re fishing and where they might be camping. This information will allow you to steer clear of each other and fish your own stretches of water uninterrupted. Hopefully, your paths don’t cross until the end of the day at the trailhead.
There is one major exception to this rule. If you come across an angler obviously stalking a fish, DO NOT interrupt them. This person is involved in a delicate dance that could take some time to conclude. Give them a wave and keep hiking until you’re well beyond their sight. You’ll likely get a chance to chat with them later.
DON’T: Blow out spots
In some instances (meadows and spring-fed stretches come to mind), fish can remain on high alert. A bad shadow might be enough to turn them off, not to mention a wading boot crumbling a chunk of the bank into the water. If you don’t plan to fish a stretch of water, observe it from a distance and avoid wading in it if possible. That way, if someone else does try to fish the spot, they won’t be casting to a pool filled with spooked fish.
DO: Stay flexible
You may bump into someone fishing, ask where they intend to fish, and then hear them recite your exact plan. This can be a brutal and deflating experience, but it’s within the realm of possibility. Depending on the river situation, it might be appropriate to ask if you can split a section. I’ve been in situations where both of us knew a creek extremely well and we were able to reference specific spots on the river and make a plan together. Alternatively, this is a great opportunity to ditch your plan entirely and fish somewhere new. The odds are good that this will force you to learn new water and could even introduce you to a great new spot.
Also, keep in mind that no one owns the river. If someone is carefully working a run and tells you they plan to fish the next two miles upstream, that’s simply too much water to “claim.” While you have the right to fish a stretch of water uninterrupted, you can’t hog an entire section that will take the whole day to cover.
DON’T: Assume anything
This reinforces the importance of actually talking. You observe someone picking their way upstream with a dry fly through a section of pocket water. You could make the assumption that they’ve been steadily fishing upstream all day. But, why do that? Maybe they swung flies downstream to that spot before deciding to switch tactics. Now, you’ll spend your day fishing a section that might be fished out. Better to avoid assumptions altogether and seek clarity.
DO: Maintain a helpful attitude
If you’re a veteran angler, the odds are good that you’ll know more than most people you bump into. Try to remember: we were once all newbies. Maybe this is someone’s first solo outing. Maybe their only “mentor” was a YouTube channel. This is a great opportunity to set someone in the right direction, both on etiquette and fishing. Sharing a fly that’s working particularly well is a great move to make a friend on the water.
DON’T: Shame new anglers
If someone is displaying bad etiquette, they may just be ignorant of the “unspoken” rules of fly fishing. Perhaps they don’t understand high-holing or don’t have a grasp on the importance of not spooking fish. Instead of getting upset, give them a heads up that what they’re doing typically isn’t cool. Explain why high-holing is rude, why they’re fishing too close to you, or why their behavior is inconsiderate. This doesn’t have to be done in a hostile manner. I’ve found that most people (especially those who don’t know any better and are actually trying to learn to fly fish), are receptive to advice and are thankful that you explained the proper etiquette. How else is one to supposed to learn the “rules” if they remain unspoken?
DO: Pack it out
It's never acceptable to litter when fishing, period. But, this is especially important in the backcountry, where a stray wrapper can stick out like a sore thumb. Go out of your way to back out all trash (even those pesky snippets of tippet) and pickup trash others may have left behind. An important part of backcountry fishing is being a steward of the landscape and the ecosystem.
River etiquette is important. It helps anglers catch fish and maintains the solitude that we seek when we go fishing. Ultimately, try to remember that we are all part of the same community. Now, more than ever, it’s important that fly anglers (especially those who cherish fishing wild, remote places) comes together to protect the areas we love most. Don’t let frustrations over lack of etiquette make you lose sight of the bigger picture. If you’re new, be open to feedback and ask questions. If you’re a veteran, be friendly when imparting knowledge and bring along a few spare flies. Who knows, you might make a new friend.