Trout Park Etiquette

[Henry Every]

Been reading and learning from this site for several years while lurking in the shadows.  Still don't have much to add, but I do have a question.

My wife, daughter, and myself just recently got into fly fishing.  We had our first fly fishing trip last week at Montauk.  

I would greatly appreciate any and all advise from you veteran trout park anglers on the code of behavior concerning trout park etiquette.  Namely topics such as:

1.  You go to your favorite hole and someone is fishing it............

2.  You are quietly fishing and covering a lot of water when you come up on someone fishing.............(when possible I had us quietly get out of the water and walk around them)

3.  What are some of the mortal sins (or minor)  that you wish other novice anglers knew and refrained from.

I found nearly everyone fishing near us to be extremely polite and gracious.  I want to make sure we are doing the right thing and I am teaching my daughter the right way.

 

Thanks

[jdmidwest]

1.  You go to your favorite hole and someone is fishing it............  Get shoulder to shoulder with them and tangle up with them a few times, they will leave.

2.  You are quietly fishing and covering a lot of water when you come up on someone fishing.............(when possible I had us quietly get out of the water and walk around them)

If you have waders on, just plow out in front of them between casts.  If too deep, stand behind them long enough to make them miss a few casts and strike up a meaningless conversation at the top of your lungs.

3.  What are some of the mortal sins (or minor)  that you wish other novice anglers knew and refrained from.  Fishing a trout park on the weekend, it usually leads to foul language and evil intentions toward fellow mankind.

I noticed you must have went during the week.  The pros show up on weekends and holidays and they will irritate any sane man.  The above is what I normally encounter on a weekend.  They don't wear waders, I call them stompers.  Splashing and stomping around making all kinds of noise instead of slowly and quietly moving around.  They high bank you on the opposite side and cast over your line.  Then my favorite irritation is the bait fishers in the fly area, always one or more of them it seems.

During the week, fewer people and more enjoyable.  The only way I tolerate weekends any more is to start out down river and fish in mornings.  Then fish the park around noon or afternoon after most pros have their limit and not seeking a second or third helping.

[ness]

Employ the Golden Rule. 

[Henry Every]

will do, thanks.

[Champ188]

 

1.  You go to your favorite hole and someone is fishing it............  Get shoulder to shoulder with them and tangle up with them a few times, they will leave.

2.  You are quietly fishing and covering a lot of water when you come up on someone fishing.............(when possible I had us quietly get out of the water and walk around them)

If you have waders on, just plow out in front of them between casts.  If too deep, stand behind them long enough to make them miss a few casts and strike up a meaningless conversation at the top of your lungs.

3.  What are some of the mortal sins (or minor)  that you wish other novice anglers knew and refrained from.  Fishing a trout park on the weekend, it usually leads to foul language and evil intentions toward fellow mankind.

I noticed you must have went during the week.  The pros show up on weekends and holidays and they will irritate any sane man.  The above is what I normally encounter on a weekend.  They don't wear waders, I call them stompers.  Splashing and stomping around making all kinds of noise instead of slowly and quietly moving around.  They high bank you on the opposite side and cast over your line.  Then my favorite irritation is the bait fishers in the fly area, always one or more of them it seems.

During the week, fewer people and more enjoyable.  The only way I tolerate weekends any more is to start out down river and fish in mornings.  Then fish the park around noon or afternoon after most pros have their limit and not seeking a second or third helping.

Awesome stuff here ??

[BillT]

I always let them know I am going to walk behind them so they know I'm there.

[bkbying89]

 

I always let them know I am going to walk behind them so they know I'm there.

As stated above and in other posts, the golden rule applies. If you're like me and you tangle your leader while indicator nymphing I will step out of the stream and let other people fish I am not there to get angry or to anger other people. Go and enjoy the day. Also, as suggested in an earlier post, fish outside the park early and hit the park later in the day.

[trythisonemv]

Sarcasms aside these guys have nailed it. Though I would add that fishing the catch and release zones as well as winter catch and release season can be much better for learning as well as maintaining sanity in the parks. Also if you notice someone just slaying the don't be afraid to ask what they are throwing just don't fish while asking and wait for them to stop.

[Henry Every]

10-4.  I realize much of this is common sense.  

One of the main reasons I asked is we avoided many spots due to someone fishing it.  Only to find a secluded spot and have someone come in and fish close behind us. Almost no one went to the head of the pool we were fishing.  

Everyone was friendly and polite, other than one "stomper" who literally stomped and made a wake to cut off and fish a few feet in front of my 6 yr old daughter.

Her fly casting is not much better than mine.  I said to my wife and daughter  "ladies we are moving, I don't want someone to get a hook in their face."   As we are leaving Mr. Stomper asks "is there a problem?"  I let my wife and daughter move downstream a bit and then explained to him that I didn't want to do anything that I would get hung over, but I don't mind a little jail time.  

I remembered a guy on here who catches trout the size of my daughter say he made up his mind not to let anyone cause him to have a bad day.  I hold to that.

We couldn't be any greener and I didn't want us to be the cause of someone's bad day due to our ignorance.  Thanks for the replies.

 

[Flysmallie]

 

Everyone was friendly and polite, other than one "stomper" who literally stomped and made a wake to cut off and fish a few feet in front of my 6 yr old daughter.

 

Some people are just born to be a turd.