Fly-fishing etiquette can be a touchy subject. Everyone seems to have their own ideas about how a river should be fished. Over the years, through conversations with veteran guides, seasoned anglers, and fly shop regulars, I’ve pieced together a few simple guidelines. My understanding of river etiquette deepened during my time as a guide on Northern California’s often-crowded tailwaters.
Some people I’ve talked to compare river etiquette to playing a round of golf. On the course, you respect the foursome in front of you. No one enjoys getting hit by a golf ball mid-swing, so you may have to pause, enjoy a sip or two of your beverage, and let them finish the hole before driving your ball Jack Nicklaus-style right on the green (of course you will)! When the course gets crowded, golfers rely on a well-established system of etiquette to keep things running smoothly. Makes sense, right?
As a lifelong surfer and skier, I’ve learned that most sports have their own codes of conduct—systems designed not just for safety, but also for making the experience more enjoyable for everyone. On the slopes, the skier or snowboarder downhill always has the right of way, so avoiding a collision is up to you. In the ocean, the closest surfer to the breaking wave has priority. Drop in on too many waves, and you might find yourself unwelcome in the lineup. These codes exist so that everyone can stay safe and, most importantly, have fun.
So, what about fly fishing? A sport of gentlefolk with roots stretching back to Ancient Rome, practiced by diverse cultures worldwide, from remote jungles to wild rivers. Naturally, we have our own code of conduct. Yet, on our most popular fisheries, it sometimes feels like that code is forgotten.
The rise of social media and online forums has forever changed the fly fishing landscape, particularly here in California. “Secret spots” aren’t so secret anymore. Love it or hate it, folks love to post about their fishing adventures, guides and shops want to promote their businesses, and the industry is happy to welcome new anglers. With more people enjoying our sport, proper etiquette is more important than ever.
Let’s start with walk-and-wade anglers—probably most of us on any given day. The early bird still gets the worm: if someone’s already fishing a section of river, they have the right to that spot as long as they’d like. If it’s a small hole, it’s best to move on and find another spot to fish. If it’s a long run or pool on a larger piece of water, find a place that gives the original angler ample room to work their spot. If they’re swinging flies, remember they’ll work from the top of the run down. If you’re nymphing or swinging too, it’s courteous to ask if they mind you stepping in behind them. The asking part is important!
I used to dislike seeing other anglers or boats on “my” stretch of river, assuming it meant fewer fish for me. But when I started engaging with others, I realized how much I could learn—new flies, tactics, setups—and that I actually enjoyed talking to folks who shared my passion. The simple act of saying hello to other anglers and greeting them with the same friendliness and respect you’d like to receive goes a long way, whether you’re on foot or in a boat.
Speaking of boats, similar rules apply. Communicate with anglers on shore and other boats. Once, my client landed one of the season’s biggest steelhead because I politely asked a conventional angler fishing from shore if I could back-row the upper section of a run just once before going down to fish the bottom. We hooked and landed a gorgeous fish, and everyone—including the bankie—enjoyed watching the fight and celebrating the catch. As a guide, I give all wading and boating anglers plenty of room, fish the opposite seam if possible, and, if you really want to fish someone’s water, always ask. Respect and communication are key.
My clients caught one of the biggest steelhead of the season because I asked a conventional angler already fishing from shore if I could backrow the upper section of a run once (not 5 times) before going down to fish the bottom. We hooked and landed a gorgeous fish, and everyone, including the bankie, was excited to see the fight and the fish when it hit the net. As a guide, I give all wading and boating anglers plenty of room, fish the opposite seam if possible, and always ask to fish someone’s water if you really want to. Communication and respect are key.
I could list a dozen fly-fishing etiquette rules, but with respect to how we interact with other anglers, it boils down to something simple: the Golden Rule—treat others the way you’d like to be treated.
Now, get out there and have fun. That’s what it’s all about, after all.
