August 7th, 2007 By James Ward Etiquette is usually defined as accepted behaviors within a specific social group at a given historical point. It is the lubricant that helps prevent social interaction from disintegrating into anarchy and chaos, and whether we like it or not, it has been part of every society and group as far back as 2300 BC when Ptahhotep generated the first behavior code. Social context and societal norms define what is acceptable. In some earlier societies, consuming your decease relatives was the accepted and expected behavior; today dining on relations tends to be frowned upon. Problems often occur when the social context changes rapidly. Static societies usually have evolved and stringent codes that change little over time. Dynamic societies, such as ours, tend to reject regulations as much as possible and embrace "personal freedom." On a cruise ship, you'd never dream of trying to hoard all the food but if the ship sinks and you are the only one in a group of castaways who has a can of beans...the social context has changed dramatically. In all but the most specialized situations, (a great hatch), fly fishing for most species is actually a handicap. The old "garden hackle" will probably produce more trout from a pool than any nymph. Casting a fly rod is much more difficult than most other rods and becoming a proficient fly fisherman takes a lifetime contrary to what Robert J. Sousa, the author of "Learn To Fly Fish In 24 Hours" would have us believe. So why do we fly fish? It's marginally effective compared to other methods, more difficult, fairly expensive and definitely more challenging. The reason is probably the same as why we do anything; the reward. As a species, especially the male half, we view the value of the reward in direct proportion to the difficulty of the task. Getting dressed in the morning doesn't rate many kudos, but catching a 28 inch brown on a size 22 dry does generate a fair amount of back slapping because its rated as unusual and difficult. Fly fishing is viewed by it's participants as more challenging, demanding, and cerebral as opposed to worm dunking. It's somewhat of an elitist mentality that may be substantiated by fact. However, when the only acceptable reward becomes catching fish then we tend to measure the success or value of the day by the contents of the creel and this can lead to a single minded pursuit of a goal and changed behaviors and conflict. Competition for resources never brings out the best in a species. Just ask George Bush! In Southern Ontario we have very finite fishing opportunities for distinct species such as brown and rainbow trout. We also have approximately six million people located within 3 hours of all of these locations. (Ontario's population was listed as 12,160,282 in the 2006 Census and 85% of them live in "Southern Ontario". The GTA population was pegged at 5,813,149). Fortunately, not all fish, but sometimes it seems otherwise! These figures make it fairly evident as do recent stories about "river rage" and bizarre behaviors that without certain standards the days of contemplative and relaxing fly fishing may become a thing of the past. To help keep the sport somewhat civilized you may wish to consider the following: 1.Examine why you fish. If it's to catch X number of fish in X minutes on a certain size of fly your pursuit of rewards is setting you up for failure and frustration. The day on the river has become a win/loose competition with yourself or your fishing buddies. Golf may be a better pursuit. 2.Accept the fact that on other than some remote river in the hinter lands your "success rate" won't match the T.V. celebrities that joyfully appear on the fish porn channel. 3.Barring a nuclear strike, you will probably encounter other anglers. That's why it's called "public water." Always remember that in some countries you have to pay huge sums just to get on the river. It controls the crowds, but do you have the cash? 4.The "Golden Rule" may seem trite, but it works. Do unto others, and if you aren't sure, ask. Very few fishermen are so rude that if you approach them politely, tell them you'd like to fish on up/down stream, and ask how you should do it, that they'll whip out their Gerber stainless and fillet you. 5.When entering the water, do so well up stream or down stream and not directly across from another angler. The days of "give them 3 pools or 200 yards of room" are over. It's like trying to leave 10 car lengths between vehicles on the 401. If you do, you'll soon be going backwards. Be respectful, leave them the run or pool they are working. We all have our "personal space," even when fishing. Would you like someone crowding your elbow? 6.Historically, the angler traveling upstream has the right of way over the angler fishing downstream. (This is probably a hold over from the dry fly/wet fly hierarchy days.) 7.When passing another angler, do it on the bank. Splashing through their water isn't a way to make friends. A friendly "Good day" or "Hi" will tell you if they want to talk. If they respond, you may have the opportunity to make a new fishing friend. If they just grunt, they probably aren't into conversation. Respect that. 8.Since no one is claiming that there are too many fish, go barbless, practice catch and release, handle your catch carefully, and don't leave line or bits of tackle on or in the river. If you are feeling specially charitable, take a small shopping bag with you and pick up some of the garbage left by less enlightened anglers. You'll feel good about it, you can grouse about the slobs who left it, and you set a good example. 9.Behave as if your mother was watching. Yelling, hooting, getting loaded, and generally acting like a barbarian is fine if you are 1000 miles from the nearest other human. If you annoy the bears enough, maybe they will eat you. However personal freedom does not allow you to inflict pain and misery on other anglers who were hoping for a quiet, pleasant day. Just because some current T.V. fishing "personalities" act like demented Visigoths each time they catch a fish doesn't mean it's acceptable for others. Hopefully you're smarter and better mannered than they are. 10.Leave the boom box at home. If you don't understand why please trade in your fly rod for roller skates and take up disco roller hockey. 11.Don't trespass. Do not assume that land is public just because it's not posted. Always ask permission first. Leave all gates as you found them. Public waters are disappearing quickly often because one person annoyed a landowner enough to result in the land being posted. Don't be that one person! 12.Fires are by nature destructive and dangerous. Landowners do not like having their property consumed by fire for some strange reason. If you must burn things, do it at home, or in an approved location. The mark of a truly competent and responsible fly fisher is that he or she leaves no marks and does no damage, either on the landscape, the fish or on other fishermen. Always remember that there are organized groups who have professed the goal to ban fishing in North America. They will use our actions against us if they can. Be considerate, fish smart, fish safe, enjoy the sport.

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