This is to some extent, a response to the "River Rage" thread, but also a bit different. I think we can all agree that the point of getting out on the river is to have fun and relax, and when people with bad etiquette infringe on your space, it can ruin your fun and relaxation. As a guy who spends a lot of time on our rivers with a fly rod in hand, it occurs to me that a lot of the "cutting in" or fishing below us fly guys is not due to malicious intent, but just a lack of understanding. So here's how it should work: We all agree that the first person in a run should get priority to fish the way he wants to, and if we get to an occupied run, we should be conscious of the methods in play. For example, if a guy is pulling plugs, we know he's working downstream, and to cut in below him would be rude. Fly fisherman on steelhead rivers are generally working downstream. We usually cast, mend, drift, then step down a ways and repeat. It's perfectly acceptable to fish the hole at the same time, but please, step in, or anchor or pull plugs above us. To anchor, step in, or start pulling below us is just like doing that to a plug puller. The same goes for another person who wants to fly fish, but most of those guys know the gig, and if they cut in below, I figure they are being intentionally rude. Anyway, I don't want to start any hassles or discussion of violence, I just figured most people would want to know the polite way of dealing with the increasing numbers of fly fishermen in pursuit of steelhead. Besides, if you're fishing gear, you can cover deeper, faster water and often times attract fish that didn't respond to the fly, so fishing behind us shouldn't hurt your chances too much. Well, hope this helps, and that we can all get along a little better out there, with less heartburn and aggravation.

Peace,

Skookum