Field Etiquette
Wild trout fishing fields have been enjoyed by fly anglers for over a century and have been conscientiously protected by many organizations.
If you are about to try trout bfs method targeting wild trout, there are absolute rules and etiquette we all have to follow respectfully.
Sharing the field with fly anglers, understanding and respecting each other’s fishing method, are crucial factors for trout bfs to be accepted and enjoyed by all types of anglers.
“No drop-in”
Every angler has own pace and plan for the day.
Avoid dropping-in and start fishing in the direction of an angler who is already there fishing.
Best to drive to another section of the river to find your own.
Popular fields are crowded, your speedy bfs approach quickly catch’s up to fly anglers all the time, we must walk around them respectfully and start your own stretch far enough away.
Just like the ‘no drop-in rule’ in surfing, it’s a moral code.
Avoid walking along the bank when making 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 the nature is the only sound most wild trout anglers prefer and also treat for being in the backcountry.
It’s not pleasant to hear a loud human voice in nature, it’s simply a disturbance to others.
We see fish swimming away, but only a small percentage of them are visible, and many more are swimming away at a distance where we cannot see them.
Large wild fish can easily sense the vibration of human voices even from far away, a part of their natural instinct.
Good idea to avoid walking near water unless you are making casts because good-sized wild fish can easily sense human footsteps further than we imagine.
There are more fish swimming away we don’t get to see, we only see small percentage of them swim away and lock their jaws.
Same way on the way back after your session to minimize the stress for the fish and it’s a respectful mind to other anglers may fish the section later.
There’s no benefit to apply additional unnecessary human pressure to the wild fishery for the future and your next outing.
Stealth and blending into nature are the keys to success.
“Pace”
Fly cast takes longer time and drifting fly also takes time, this is the art of fly fishing that is so unique and cool.
Trout bfs approach can cover the water much quicker, but it also puts more stress on fish.
Over-fishing can quickly destroy the field and change fish behaviors which happens in bass fishing quite often.
Wild trout, which are delicate and brittle, are a treasure of nature that deserves compassion.
“Follow the rules specific to the area”
There are a variety of restrictive rules depending on the field, such as “catch and release only”, “fly gear only,” “barbless single hooks only” and seasonal closures etc.
These rules are set according to the local environment and specific circumstances and are very important in order to keep the fishery as healthy as possible for future generations.
Even deep in the backcountry where no one else is within 10 miles, rules still apply. Picking up someone else’s trash instead of violating rules makes good karma.
Trout bfs is fun and exciting, that’s only because there are healthy fields and quality cleaver fish exist.
Fly anglers who discovered the field first and the beautiful wildlife deserves respect and peace.
Peaceful coexistence is the future of trout bfs.
We do our part to play:D
