Fly Fishing Safety And Courtesy

[FlyFishinFool]

When I have to pass behind someone who is fly casting, and there is not sufficient room for me to loop around them (e.g. I am forced to walk somewhat close behind them) I always watch their casting rythym, wait for them to throw a cast and/or mend the line, and then I tell them that I am going to walk behind them - and then I move through their backcasting zone as quickly and safely as possible. If another fly fisherman walks directly behind someone who is casting, I would assume (since they should be knowledgeable about casting a flyline and the dangers of fly hooks) that they have the responsibilty if they get hit because they failed to alert the caster.

What about pure spectators? People who may have no understanding of fly casting, and may even want to get as close as possible to take a picture. Polite individuals will quickly walk through a caster's backcast between casts and only after announcing that they are walking behind the caster to warn him they are in the range of his backcast. However, if they quietly walk right up behind someone who has been casting and stand there, then they may well get hit/hooked. I saw a spectator get hit & hooked last year and the individual's friend wanted the fisherman to give him his personal information to cover the cost of going to a doctor to get the fly removed. Needless to say the fisherman declined to provide the personal information they had requested. As the spectators departed they made several crude comments about the fly fisherman not owning up to his responsibility. If people walk right behind someone casting a fly rod isn't it the spectator's responsibility to avoid the fly line? After all - the person casting does not have eyes in the back of their head.

Just curious what other opinions are out there.......

[Ham]

When I have to pass behind someone who is fly casting, and there is not sufficient room for me to loop around them (e.g. I am forced to walk somewhat close behind them) I always watch their casting rythym, wait for them to throw a cast and/or mend the line, and then I tell them that I am going to walk behind them - and then I move through their backcasting zone as quickly and safely as possible. If another fly fisherman walks directly behind someone who is casting, I would assume (since they should be knowledgeable about casting a flyline and the dangers of fly hooks) that they have the responsibilty if they get hit because they failed to alert the caster.

I do just what you do. I don't really have to deal with spectators much. Not many where I fish and I'm not much of a show either.

[brother dave]

I do just what you do. I don't really have to deal with spectators much. Not many where I fish and I'm not much of a show either.

Yep

[Danoinark]

I can't imagine an instance where there would be civil liability for hooking someone on a back cast, but I do try to keep my eyes even peripherally on what is behind me when possible. But I wouldn't have given them my name either.

[flytyer57]

Tell them that you are fishing and they are encroaching on your zone. If they get hit/hooked, it would be their responsibility as I'm sure they would have seen a backcast before they got close enough to get hooked.

I had that problem fishng a small pond in a park once back in WI. I was fishing from the bank of the pond and people kept walking right behind me. One old man told me to be careful as a backcast came close to him. I told him that I was there trying to fish and he was interfering with me legally participating in a sport protected by state law. He just mumbled something and walked away.

[FishinCricket]

Wow, I just usually apologize, load up my gear and leave the trout park... Fishin's better on the river anyways...

But sometimes I flatten their tires, poop on their hood, pour gasoline through their sunroof, light a match and dance naked around the bonne-fire...

Suppose it depends upon my mood.

But I assure you of the one thing I will NEVER do.. And that's pause for a moment in my routine and allow the uneducated to pass behind me unhooked.

Anymore, being overtly polite is just an excuse to get walked on.

[AZ_Trout]

Interesting question you posed.

Most people would think that the walkers would look out as to where they are going and what is happening around them. Unfortunately that is not always the reality. I fish a community pond that gets winter trout stockings, when it's cold very few walkers are out, most pay attention. As it gets warmer more walkers and they are in "their world". I've come to the conclusion it depends on who the walking behind person is: if they are responsible they'll pay attention, if they live in their world, think the world revolves around them, liberal and think everyone needs to take care of everyone else, then they think it's your issue not theirs. This park and the walking path have bicycles, skaters, joggers, kids playing even the occasional rattle snake, plenty for them to look out for. If they stepped on a snake would they blame the snake? They'd blame the park staff. And yes there may only be 5-8 fly fisherman at this park vs many more bait and spin casters, but you'd think eventually they realize what a fly caster is doing and watch out --wrong. I've had people stop behind me to watch. I tell them it's a public park and their are free to do what they want, but if they've noticed the fly and line is going back there and the odds of them getting hooked are great, they might want to move over here to my right to watch. Most have that ah ha moment and get it others stay there until I start casting again then they get it.

At a trout park I'd say walker be ware, and in general I will try to pay attention to those walking I believe it's their responsibility first.

Sometimes people just have to touch the stove to understand it's hot.

[FishinCricket]

if they live in their world, think the world revolves around them, liberal and think everyone needs to take care of everyone else, then they think it's your issue not theirs.

Ah, it's the libs.. Got it.

[ness]

I keep my eyes open, and they need to also keep their eyes open too. I'm fine with people trying to get around me, and will do what I can to accomodate them. A time or two folks have camped right behind me chewing the fat, and didn't move when they were aware of what was going on. Then I'll give 'em a little excitement.

[flytyer57]

Interesting question you posed.

I've come to the conclusion it depends on who the walking behind person is: if they are responsible they'll pay attention, if they live in their world, think the world revolves around them, liberal and think everyone needs to take care of everyone else, then they think it's your issue not theirs.

What the...?!

I'm a liberal and I really don't care about the people walking behind me when I'm fishing. I'll try to keep my eye out for them, but if they get too close, it's their own dam problem. Liberal or not.