Untangling Angling Etiquette

Untangling Angling Etiquette
Nick King takes a tongue-in-cheek but enlightening dive into the unwritten rules of freshwater fishing.

For people the world round, angling and hunting are placed at the pinnacle of recreational escape. In a world awash with mediocre experiences, time spent in the field and stream provides more than a fair measure of challenge and enjoyment. In most, this fire and passion will continue to conjure boundless enthusiasm

With such an inspiring and engaging pursuit there is of course strong emotion and anticipation attached to the time spent in our wild lands and waters. With the very essence of this piscatorial pursuit at stake, the sportspeople of yore – our forefathers and theirs before them – created a framework of fairness and ethics to serve as a template of etiquette that would see the future of the pursuit in good stead, retaining in perpetuity an orderly process to best maintain its exceptional quality.

Basically, it was a guide on ‘how not to screw with another person’s precious time off’.

‘Etiquette’ is the French word for ‘ticket’ and is derived from the ticket or list of rules provided to courtiers on how to behave when in the presence of royalty. As the word became imbedded into the English language it became defined as “the conventional rules of personal behaviour in polite society”.

From this sprung such sayings as “that’s the ticket” or “just the ticket”, which of course denotes praise for getting things right. So how, then, does the tyro angler go about getting things right?

There is a direct correlation between understanding fishing and understanding how to avoid upsetting the natural equilibrium between the fishery, other anglers and oneself. If your actions may be detrimental to the fishery or other anglers’ experiences, then there is a high chance that observance of etiquette is the remedy which at the end of the day is just the judicious use of common sense.

After much rumination it comes down to two things.

1. How we behave in relation to the fishery when we are on our own, and how we behave towards, and manage our interactions with, our fraternal brothers and sisters when we meet.
2. If there is a mantra to be repeated in order to maintain the standards of sportsmanship, it is as simple as this: “Don’t be a dick.”

When in the backcountry, don't fish the same water twice Photo: Nick King

The rules are an aid to navigating this and recognising when perhaps we are approaching the threshold, remembering of course that no one is perfect, and we have all erred at some point in the past.

Every angler arrives at the water with exactly the same expectations as the next; if that were to be quantified in a perfect scenario we would all like endless cloudless days, on virgin water, unhindered by other anglers with a gentle breeze up our freckle. So, the very first step, if the water is shared, is to put yourself in the other’s shoes and remember the old maxims – “play fair” and “do unto others”.

With that in mind let’s delve into these two basic lores of the water and how to mitigate clashes that would detract from each other’s day.

Often the hardest rules of etiquette and the standards to maintain are the ones that are in play when you are on your own, unobserved, with only yourself or your angling associates as witness.

It is a less than admirable trait of human nature to make a pig of ones-self if the opportunity presents. If the angling is extremely good, it pays to keep in mind that another angler will be along at some stage seeking the same fizz of excitement that you have just hit. It is good form to consider this and accept that more fish landed may not enhance your day to any great degree, yet the gift you give to the next party by your considerate actions will perhaps add a great deal to theirs.

I have a personal rule on any angling excursion, especially multi day ones, not to fish the same water twice. Keep on moving and if the shot at a trophy is missed then consider the game played and lost and perhaps there may be a rematch at a future date. By treading lightly on your journey, the angling pressure is spread thin, and following parties will unconsciously appreciate the lack of disturbance that your passing has had, just as you may be benefitting from the considerate actions of the people before you.

The same goes for our hut network, many of which are conveniently positioned beside truly splendid trout streams. The law of the land states a three-night maximum stay; the lore of the backcountry suggests two. In any case there is no point spending extra nights once you’ve covered all the available water within striking distance. Long-term stays in huts, fishing the same beats repetitively, are an anathema to what Kiwi angling etiquette demands.

Talking to other anglers you encounter and sorting out a plan ensures everyone has a good time on the water - Photo: Nick King

Other non-angling related manners – such as leaving campsites tidy, considerate toileting, and when and where to keep fish to eat – go a long way towards enhancing the enjoyment of any following parties as well as maintaining good social licence among other recreational users. When on your own, your actions and sportsmanship are under their greatest test. If we can manage most of the rules, most of the time, we are on a winner.

How about interactions between each other and how to best avoid impromptu bouts of streamside biffo?

Although you may be champing at the bit to get to the water, the greatest and most obvious way to proceed if you encounter other anglers and/or you are in doubt as to how to proceed is to simply have a chat. Hiding in the bush, backing up and legging it round the corner upstream to feign innocence is not good etiquette!

Lake fishing has it's own rules. Wading too deep and flashing torch beams out into the water will spook trout and annoy other anglers, especially where streams enter the lake. Photo: Nick King.

If you find yourself in a position where you’re considering avoiding interaction while contemplating concocting a cockamamie story to your advantage on the thin and dubious premise of plausible deniability, you are about to stampede good etiquette into the ground.

As soon as there is a plan to deceive, you have failed the etiquette test and your moral compass needs recalibrating. Even though you may not be overly up for an interaction with a stranger or unknown group, pull on your big boy or big girl pants and simply go say, ‘Hi’.

Apart from perhaps learning local variations of etiquette and developing the days agreed plan, discussion can yield a vast wealth of benefits. Courtesy and respect will generally be paid back in spades and there is a very good chance you will come away with more arrows in your angling quiver as well as perhaps a new connection that will serve you well in future.

First come-first served is the number one rule to remember when anglers meet. If you arrive to find other anglers already there, it is expected that you yield, within reason, to their plans for the day. They too should reasonably consider lowering the sights on their ideal day, but it is they that get first choice.

Remembering that almost all river angling is upstream, and it is best to approach another party from downstream. If they are fully engaged in a spotted fish, wait for them to finish or for them to invite you over. Anglers can become very focused on the task at hand so it pays to avoid walking right up behind them and going “Boo” - especially if they are more senior anglers as you may find yourself hastily digging through you kit for your PLB.

Streamside discussions will generally end up as very amicable affairs and give you an opportunity to hone your diplomacy skills by suggesting or mulling over a mutually beneficial compromise. You may be completely au-fait with your local etiquette such as South Island backcountry angling, but there may be ambiguous gaps in your knowledge in other situations such as the Taupo river fishery where every pool has its certain code of ethics and just as you would when joining a queue, you join at the back, i.e. downstream, and then move like a dance routine up the pool to the high-rent district before relinquishing the top spot and beginning again at the back.

River mouth salmon fishing may look like combat angling, but it isn’t. Like trout fishing, there are rules of etiquette that most anglers follow so there are no arguments on the river, and everyone enjoys themselves.

If you are fishing upriver, and see another angler fishing a piece of water that they have accessed by foot or vehicle, before rushing out of your vehicle and setting up your gear, watch the angler fish for five minutes to see whether they are moving through the pool or standing in one position. Then, politely ask if it is possible to join them in the pool; and always start upstream of the incumbent angler.

Jet boat anglers generally shouldn’t be fishing where a vehicle or foot-based angler is because they have far more options – they can move up or downstream as well as both sides of the river.

Fishing the river mouth is slightly different from upriver fishing because anglers generally don’t move, so they are stationary the whole time. Depending on what time you get to the river mouth, you can generally find a spot on either side of the line of anglers. However, if the fishing is hot and anglers are catching salmon, there is a good chance it will be busier than usual, so you need to have a slightly different approach.

This is where you need to find a gap amongst the anglers big enough to stand in and cast.

As with any angling encounter, it is always good to ask if you can stand in that gap so you don’t come across as pushing in, as this can annoy some of the locals.

If you're new to fishing and don't want to tread on toes, watch what other anglers are doing and don't be afraid of asking advice - Photo Bruce Quirey

Moving through a catchment rather than staying put allows other anglers to enjoy quality fishing too - Photo: Nick King

Fishing is suppposed to be about fun so don't get too het up about it - Photo: Nick King

Generally, however, salmon anglers are a friendly bunch so don’t be put off trying your hand at it, and as always don’t be afraid to ask the anglers for advice and help.

Shoreline lake fishing for trout at night can also see crowds of anglers descend on stream and river mouths when the fish are running, particularly in hot spots like the Rotorua lakes. As with any accumulation of passionate recreationalists, there’s a chance that tempers can get frayed in the heat of the moment. The best advice on offer here is to be courteous, don’t push in, give you neighbour space to cast and play fish, and face inland when using a flashlight or headtorch so the beam doesn’t spook trout in the shallows. 

Lake fishing, boat fishing and canal fishing all have their own nuances of etiquette. It can seem daunting, but don’t let it put you off. As each situation is presented, then so will the information on how to behave; glean it from fellow anglers, take a few moments to watch and observe, consult the Fish & Game regulations booklets.

There are very few anglers in this world who will mind being asked how to join the fray in a respectful way. If they do have a problem, then they need to brush up on the etiquette of angling sportsmanship themselves.

I won’t mention “be kind”, as I may end up getting thrown in a river somewhere. But be honest with yourself and others, be firm but fair, be thoughtful and considerate and you’ll be fine.

And at the end of the day, don’t get too het up about it – it’s only fishing.