Shuffling?

[dennis boatman]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but could someone please give me a small lesson in what exactly shuffling is? And it seems most don't like it, so an explanationn on that too...thanks.

[oneshot]

Basically kicking up sediment getting the fish to feed.

oneshot

[dennis boatman]

thanks...Can't really seeing that as working on a consistant basis, but if it did why would that be considered either bad sportsmanship or cheating?

[flytyer57]

The only thing I can think of is when you're fishing a stream for trout and you kick up rocks, grass etc to dislodge food organisms to attract trout. Kinda like baiting deer. It's usually illegal. Ever hear of the San Juan Shuffle?

[oneshot]

Well they run the Jets up the river,stirs it up fish bite like Gang Busters until in settles.Same thing.

oneshot

[dennis boatman]

The only thing I can think of is when you're fishing a stream for trout and you kick up rocks, grass etc to dislodge food organisms to attract trout. Kinda like baiting deer. It's usually illegal. Ever hear of the San Juan Shuffle?

I two step a little and maybe on a good night a waltz, but that's about it...

[flytyer57]

I two step a little and maybe on a good night a waltz, but that's about it...

Well ya got me beat there.

[Phil Lilley]

In some places, say, on Taneycomo below the dam, there's enough slow current to carry scuds and other bugs downstream when you step. Kick up the gravel and it sends lots of bugs downstream. Drop your fly in that cloud of bugs and the feeding frenzy that occurs and you'll catch a rainbow. It works real well.

Couple of things that are negatives. One is kicking and dislodging bugs probably isn't good for the bugs, although I think it's not devastating as some make it out to be. I think if you asked 100 fly fishing anglers if it's unethical, I would guess about 70-80% would say it is (IMO). And thirdly, if you're fishing close to 2-3 or 4 people kicking wildly in the stream, it's a good guess that most of the fish in that area are below those guys kicking and not in front of you.

Did I miss anything?

BTW- saw 6 people kicking in Rebar this morning. Some were obvious, some tried to make it look like they were just fishing downstream of their feet.

Bottom line, until MDC makes it illegal, there will be people who will kick cause they don't think it's bad, they like to catch fish and/or they have trouble catching trout any other way.

[laker67]

It basically destroys a lot of habitat for the little insects that thrive on the stream bed. Although not illegal in missouri as it is in new mexico, it is considered to be a fish attractor or baiting. Unethical, who is to say? It is more of a personal opinion. I hate to see grown men teaching young children this style of fishing when they could just as easily be showing them casting, drifting, and the proper presentation of a fly. There again, proper, is just an expression. Kind of like the "stream etiquette" topic, it's best not to let the shufflers ruin your day. Everyone has a preferred way to fish, and I guess that should be your option.

[dennis boatman]

I have only fished Taney once, liked it, but just can't fish around others like that. I see the advantages and disadvantages to the stream bed. Thanks for the education. Now, to shuffle or not to shuffle, that is the question?