I pose this question after a run in I had at the upper fly zone on the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York. Anybody who has fished that section of the river, knows that it is a Fly Fishing only section…No exceptions. To my great surprise and frustration, when I made it to the river there were three gentlemen using rooster tails and regular spin casting rods. When I got up to the rivers edge they all gave each other a look like a kid getting caught with their hand in a cookie jar. I then said to them, very respectfully, “Do you guys know that this is a fly fishing only section?” Their reply was a curt “**** You” and a comment that made me stop and think for a minute. One of them said, “All of you fly fisherman think that you are better than everyone else.” (I edited out the explicits). They then proceeded to reel in their lines and leave.(I had to follow them out to make sure that they didn’t do anything to my truck). I kept thinking about that comment, troubled by its connotations. I have never in my life considered myself better than anyone else. I was raised in a very lowerclass family and had to work hard at where I am today. I have never once snubbed my nose at anybody, no matter what station in life they hold and treat everybody the same. Where could these gentlemen, and I stress gentlemen, get the idea that fly fishermen think that they are better than everyone else? I personally think that it is a bit out of jealousy. Fly fishermen take great pride in learning their craft…from the way they cast to how they tie and present their flies. I think that it is our pride in accomplishment at a job well done that shows on our faces and by the way that we carry ourselves. I have never met a fly fisherman that has snubbed his nose at me or treated me any different. In fact, I have found that quite the opposite is true. Just by reading what everybody has posted on this site and by the way that we interact with each other should clue anyone in that we welcome all and would love to include them into our world. This is just some food for thought that I thought I would share with you all. Happy fly fishing. ~ John
You couldn’t have said it better. I think the gentlemen you talked about have a lack of understanding what its all about. When I see or chat with other fly fishermen I feel an instant bond most of the time. Its the common goals we are after… I think for some people you either get it or you don’t.
I know what you mean about the instant bonding that we seem to share among fellow fly fisherman. I have tried invain to get some of my friends and family involved but they all reply that it is too much work. More fish for me!! I guess that is the upside.
I started fishing with a pole and float and finally ended up with a fly rod in my hand.
I am not feeling better than the “normal” angler but I do feel more privileged.
That bonding between flyfisherman is an universal fact.
When I was fishing in Denmark the local flyfishers had no problems with giving out good info on spots and flies.
I do not think you will get the same feeling with other types of angling.
In our local flyfishing club we have quite a few guys who are or where fishing conventional for carp, pike etc.
Still they ended up with flyfishing.
I guess all the things around flyfishing like flytying, the active fishing ansoforth are a major attraction to people new to the sport.
Now I have to confess to that I am a bit elitist, I tend to call the “other” fishermen barbarians at times 🙂
Jinxed,
I don’t think the term gentlemen applies here. It is obvious these people did not have any regard for the fishiery they were on. Fly fishing has proven to be a means of conservation. The State of NY employs flyfishing on that section of river for the purpose of conservation, not to give a unfair advantage to eltist fisherman. Apparently these ungentlemen believed,because we often return our catch unharmed to the water, that section of river would be loaded with fish for them to catch. I welcome all methods of fishing.But I enjoy fly fishing the most. I don’t think it makes me special, what it does is give me the opportunity to fish “flyfishing only” waters when that is what the law calls for. To bad you met such a narrow minded group of “sportsmen”
A very interesting story. I think having seperate flyfishing only areas lends a certain amount of envy of the unknown. Why do they get special water? As far as fishermen go I think anytime one is dealing with “meat” fisherman in the negative sense one can run into some challenging characters. To clarify not every spin or bait fisherman is a “meat” fisherman. I think the difference is those who love the sport versus those who only look at the results. Also Fly fisherman typically are knowledgable about thier quarry, it’s habits, haunts and food sources. As a result there is tendancy to be more stewards of the fisheries. This tends to tie into some class issues as flyfishing in Europe typically entails fishing rights and those with the means can buy the rights. In this country one can get a spinning rod outfit for under $50. To get outfitted for flyfishing on the cheap will cost several hundred buck for waders, basic rod etc. One can easily spend a lot of money on gear, ask any of us, and this tends to attract people who can afford the time and money to engage in the sport. It will be interesting to see what others say about this. Thanks for speaking up to these guys on the water. That is protecting the fishery.
First it isn’t about eletist attitude, it’s about they got caught and don’t like it. I have a standard rule, when speaking with someone on the water or the mens room at a rest stop, if they are intellecually challenged and become confrontatious. I respond in kind. These guys were already breaking the law so you can imediately assume they are going to try and make you the bad guy. Theres no conversing with them. Tell them what you have to and walk away. Had I been there, their comment would have become a traumatic event for them, although I don’t recomend hostility.
I think it comes down to the fact that they were breaking the law. In their eyes maybe they were breaking a “rule” as in fly only but it’s the law. Do you feel a superior attitude to a bank robber or car thief? I know I do. Now granted it’s not on the scale of the spinning rod in the fly only zone but it’s kinda like a guy who is shoplifting a toothbrush and saying, you guys who pay for stuff think you are so superior. These are the type of people who would sneak into the hatchery at night and say they hooked a bunch of fish. I fish with guys from time to time that fish with spinning gear and even pick up the short rod from time to time myself. I’ve even drilled a few holes through the ice (GASP). But even then I don’t fish out of season, out of bounds or trespass…well, I can’t guarentee the trespass thing but I’m usually under the high water mark…
Thanks to all for your positive feedback. I really appreciate it. It’s reaffirming that people like you all are out there fishing!!
Hello, greetings from Buenos Aires.
I can speak only about my homecountry’s -Argentina- situation on this regard (and still it would be just my opinion, of course).
It was not until a few decades ago that fly fishing was a type of angling reserved to those who could afford really expensive equipment, and who could drive a thousand miles across the country or more to Patagonic waters. I think this is especially true for the days before fiberglass rods and synthetic flylines.
So, even today most people have this idea, and, by default, they’d assume it’s a rather expensive, exclusive, elitist, if you will, type of fishing (and, therefore, that you have more money than your busted car or worn out sneakers would lead one to think).
Just two days ago I had to explain someone, a guy who has been ‘meat’ fishing and doing spinning for decades, that he could get some starter’s set for no more than he would spend in a regular quality seashore rig, and that, although not the best otion at all, he could do it just ok with unexpensive tough nylon waders (after all, 30 or 40 years ago there were no breathable Simms out there, right?). Of course, usually those starters sets have lousy rods, lines and reels. But I’m sure they’re fine for that purpose, and that they would look SO bad compared to some top class early graphite rods orsynthetc lines.
Also, unlike 30 or 40 years ago, now he could get plenty of technical assistance from fly fishing association, in the way of one on one help or through introductory courses -sometimes free of charge-, not only on flyfishing generalities, but also on more especific areas such as casting, flyting, rod building (maybe even basic photography!).
In short, things are different now, but it seems that we fly fishermen, probably, have not done enough in order to let other people know about how different things are now.
But this doesn’t answer the first question, as it addresses the other side of things (how other people and other, non-fly-fishermen, see and consider us). I think there are still many “old-guard” fellows out there -here in Argentina- who have this high and mighty attitude towards any non-fly guy. There are many snobs as well, that, misleaded by the concept I wrote about at the beginning of this post, think they would add some social status to themselves by doing this. I think usually they either end up truly and genuinely loving this sport, or just quit after a couple of seasons.
Just my $0.02