Apr 21 2008
Don’t Find Yourself Fishing For Excuses
The season is here, and in all the hustle, it is very important to not overlook any laws. Being a responsible fisherman means having a good sense of responsibility; even when noone is necessarily watching.
The first most important thing which noone should ever attempt to dodge, is registering for a licensee. Many people try to avoid this, but what it is important to remember, is that those who make that choice will be caught by the DEP, and they will be punished for it, and they truly do not take it lightly.
As well as such obvious laws as that, all laws are equal. Never violate creel limits, do not fish in restricted areas, and do not try to get away with using barbed hooks in non-barb streams.
Above and beyond the ‘legal’ areas fly fishing, there are many things that fall along the area of common stream courtesy, such as not walking through the stream where along fisherman is fishing, as well as not allowing you line to float across the arc of another persons line.
Moreover, there is nothing more ignorant than a fisherman that sees the stream as an area of constant competition. In proper etiquette, try to help out a fellow fisherman, and be willing to share with them what baits and techniques you are using.
All in all, try to make the experience on the stream a positive one, and try to reach out and help someone this season.
This past week I spent time scouting out, and fishing, a local pond here in northeastern Connecticut. It was my first time fishing this specific body of water, so I met up with the owner of the property to discuss the ins and outs of fishing there. After a few minutes of conversation, he began [...]
Although I enjoy the reliability and strength of my modern graphite, Pfueger rod, there tends to be a great joy in casting my grandfather’s handcrafted split bamboo rod. The rod is a ten and a half foot bamboo rod that he acquired long before I was born. My grandfather passed away before I was old [...]
As we are approaching fishing season, there are certain etiquettes that should be discussed.
One of the most important rules of fly fishing is that a fisherman should never, under any circumstances, ‘cull.’
Culling is the very inconsiderate practice of keeping a trout in a creel, and then, after catching larger trout, returns the spent trout to [...]
Spot fishing is a good technique when you find yourself in a situation where there are a number of visible fish rising. The basic idea is to always be ready for a repositioning of the fly to the place of the most current activity, whether that is along the shore, or toward the mid current [...]
The Usual is a very simple fly to tie, and can easily be accomplished by anyone who is starting to tie flies, due to the fact that it is very forgiving. When I tie the Usual, I prefer to use a #10 Mustad hook. I have found this size to be most efficient when fishing [...]
Having witnessed several of these above-mentioned offenses, I would encourage all fisherman, both young and old, to be a good sport. Too many people these days get caught up on opening day, going in with the mindset of competition. Kids as young as 13 are out on the same bank as the older ‘pillars’ that have been there for years. The younger will follow the actions of their ‘heroes’; the guys that pull in the big fish on the second cast and get their pictures put up on the wall. But if the kids are led by a negetive example, then it only serves to further a generation that will continue to violate laws and injure delicate systems. Be the fisherman that people look up to, follow your local laws and practice good sportsmanship. That kind of a reputation will take you much farther than any trophy.