River Etiquette

The old adage "treat others as you would like to be treated" is a good start.  Add a little courtesy and friendliness and you are halfway there.  The final component of river etiquette is understanding river spacing and recognizing how other anglers are fishing.

Waders:

When you encounter a wader, take a minute to determine what he is doing.  Is he fishing upstream -  moving up through a series of runs and riffles?  Or maybe he is working downstream - swinging a wet fly, two stepping, or high sticking.  He may be camped out on a hole and isn't moving.  Some waters have a specific local etiquette, depending on local fishing style, numbers of fish or geographic features.  It's a good idea to check with the other angler to confirm that your plan will not disrupt or upset his/her fishing.  If you need to cross near another angler make sure you do not step through or disturb his water.  To be courteous always step in behind the other angler. 

If you are the wader, and someone else approaches, try a cheerful greeting (despite the fact that you had hoped to be alone today), then continue to work through your water.  If you are using a fishing method that involves moving up or down through a run or riffle, no need to hurry, but keep moving.  If you are fishing one spot, consider completing your current approach and move on.  Its not cool to be a hole hog.  Give each angler his space, and consider the "visual rule of crowding" - try to stay out of view of other anglers.

Waders have the right of way over boats, however some situations may require the wader to move to allow passage.

Boats & One-man Inflatables:

Boating etiquette starts at the boat launch.  Pull into a staging area away from the boat launch to rig and load the boat.  Only when everything is ready should you move to the launching area.  Take some time to practice backing so that you can do it smoothly under pressure.  The same applies when taking out at the end of the float.  Once you have the boat hitched up, pull up and out of the way to unload and clean up.  Be considerate to the guides as they are "at work", maybe let them go first and watch how they approach the situation.  Once you have launched your boat, move it out of the launch area to make room for the next boat.  Take the time to safely secure your boat, we have a friend whose boat sank and was totaled from contact with another boat at the launch.

Once on the water and rowing, avoid other anglers.  Waders have the right of way, so take care to stay out of their water, anglers in the boat should not cast into the wader's water.  If possible row to pass behind the wader or cross to the far side out of range.  When passing other boats, take care that your anglers do not back cast into the other boat.  Choose safe passing spots, or pull over and give the other boat more time to move downstream.  If you look back and see a line of boats stacking up behind, either row forward quickly to put some distance between you and the flotilla, or pull over and do a little wading or take a nap.  When you do pull back out into traffic, give plenty of room so that the next boat does not feel crowded - this is supposed to be a relaxing day on the river, not a freeway at rush hour.  Again, be extra courteous to the guides - this is their office.  And, it's not cool to drag your anchor down the river bed - it is hard on the stream and you'll look like a doofus. 

A one-man inflatable is a boat, and so boating etiquette applies.

General:

Take the time to understand current regulations of your fishery - some are specific about barbs, the number of flies allowed, and special closures.  We promote catch and release - but, if you plan to keep fish, respect the limits and make sure you are able to get the fish from river to kitchen. 

"Playing a fish" is probably a poor term.  Once hooked, work on getting the fish to hand quickly, then keep it in the water until ready for a quick photo.  Practice good river stewardship, and finally, respect private property - legal access varies by state.