Field Etiquette

Wild trout fields have been enjoyed by fly anglers for over a century, and conscientiously protected by many organizations.

If you are about to try the trout bfs method on wild trout, there are absolute rules and etiquette we all have to follow, respectfully.

Sharing the field with fly anglers, and understanding and respecting each other’s fishing method, are crucial for trout bfs to be accepted and enjoyed by all types of anglers.

“No drop-in”
Every angler has their own pace and plan for the day.

Never drop in and start fishing toward an angler who is already there fishing.
Best to drive to another section of the river and find your own.

Popular fields are crowded, and your speedy bfs approach catches up to fly anglers all the time. We must walk around them respectfully and start our own stretch far enough away.

Just like the ‘no drop-in rule’ in surfing, it’s a moral code.

Avoid walking along the bank during the walk-around. Walking right on the bank and putting your shadow on the water does nothing but spook fish and lock their jaws.

“Noise”
The sound of nature is the only sound most wild trout anglers want, and it's the treat of being in the backcountry.

A loud human voice in nature is not pleasant. It’s simply a disturbance to others.

Large wild fish easily sense the vibration of human voices, even from far away. It's part of their natural instinct.

It's a good idea to stay away from the water unless you are casting, because good-sized wild fish sense human footsteps farther than we imagine.

We only see a small percentage of the fish swimming away. Many more swim off at a distance we can't see, and lock their jaws.

Same on the way back after your session: it minimizes stress on the fish, and it's respectful to other anglers who may fish that section later.

There's no benefit in putting extra, unnecessary human pressure on the wild fishery, for the future and for your next outing.

Stealth and blending into nature are the keys to success.

“Pace”
A fly cast takes time, and drifting a fly takes time too. This is the art of fly fishing, so unique and cool.

The trout bfs approach covers water much quicker, but it also puts more stress on the fish.

Over-fishing can quickly destroy a field and change fish behavior, which happens in bass fishing quite often.

Wild trout, delicate and brittle, are a treasure of nature that deserves compassion.

“Follow the rules specific to the area”
There are many restrictive rules depending on the field, such as “catch and release only”, “fly gear only”, “barbless single hooks only”, seasonal closures, etc.

These rules are set for the local environment and its specific circumstances, and they are very important to keep the fishery as healthy as possible for future generations.

Even deep in the backcountry with no one else within 10 miles, the rules still apply. Picking up someone else’s trash instead of breaking the rules makes good karma.

Trout bfs is fun and exciting only because healthy fields and quality, clever fish exist.

The fly anglers who discovered the field first, and the beautiful wildlife, deserve respect and peace.

Peaceful coexistence is the future of trout bfs.

We do our part to play :D