This is one of the more interesting posts I have seen in a while. First, it strikes me as strange that "fly guys" would do these types of things (not necessarily the verbal abuse, but the vandalism). Regardless, there is no reason for your property to be damaged. As a recent victim of a car break-in on the river, I still am carrying some rage around.
You are certainly entitled to your privacy regarding why you are allowed to have the permit in the first place, but it might be helpful for the board to get an idea of why you have it (I hope you aren't blind, considering you are packin' heat). It does seem a little strange to me that the WDFW issues these types of permits (probably best not to try to understand all WDFW decisions). It would seem that these permits are aimed at people with disabilities which would, by nature, make access to "fly only" rivers difficult. Also, based on Smalma's quoting of the regulations, it sounds like fishing is only allowed with a casting bubble (I think they are referring to the clear, water-fillable bobber). These casting bubbles are usually fished with flies beneath them (what IS the difference between a weighted fly and a jig?). It sounds to me like the idea of the permit is to allow disabled people to fish with flies in fly water if they are not physically able to cast a fly rod. I guess it makes more since to me to allow these permits for fly-only lakes but not rivers (if a person can access the upper Hoko, how disabled are they). Is the point to "even the playing field" by allowing disabled people to fish less competitive waters? I guess I don't really know where I am going with this, but the whole idea of this permit sounds a little odd to me.
As far as the VERBAL abuse you have suffered, you certainly don't deserve it but I see why it happens. For every person like you with a permit, there are 10 others that either don't know or don't care about the fly-only regs. It sounds like the upset fly guys would have been better off having a conversation with you (usually the best starting point on river etiquette issues) than just verbally unleashing on you (you know what they say happens when you ass-u-me?).
Gottagofish, do you have any idea of the number of these types of permits that the WDFW issues? Just curious.
Keep your spirits up... Karma has a way of working these things out and whoever destroyed your property will likely pay the price later (where are the attacking cougars when you need them?).

Hay Thanks for the Post, I guess I'll Grab my Spinning Rod and one of Hunting Buddies and let him catch me a few of them slabs in fly only areas. I didn't realize it was legal, but now that I know it is I guess I will try it as I have the Handicaped Hunter Placard, Hunter/Harvester Companian Card and have the 60 % Disabled Vet rating. Might even have to take Ole Mr. 44 Mag out there with me and see if there are any varments out there.

I've also run into this same mentality among Archery and Muzzleloader Hunters while carrying a rifle during Archery and Muzzleloader Seasons, which by the way is perfectly legal as Modern Firearm Bear and Cougar Seasons are also open at the same time their Seasons are in progress.

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Very interesting thread. Question..... Suppose this thread was started this way:

I went out fishing today in a fly-only area and came across this a#$#$hole using spinning gear. I let him know what I thought of his illegal methods and the moron ignored me. As I continued downriver I say him nail a big chromer.....

What would all you guys have posted then?

Would anyone have stood up for the guy? Would anyone have threatened bodily harm?

The way I look at it, vandalism and break-ins are illegal no matter what

Bad story. But not all that surprising considering the vandalism that happens in fishing access areas. The motivation in this case is particularly disturbing. I thought "fly guys" generally keep their hate directed towards other fly guys! Some "fly guys" have a stick up their a**, but they'd be the same no matter what gear they fished. Be interested to hear specific locations so I might take a look around.

I was at Pass Lake near Anacortes one day fishing with a bunch of folks from a Seattle fly shop. I was fishing out of my float tube when I see this young kid, about 3 or 4 years old run down to the waters edge and start casting his Snoopy Rod with only a casting plug, shouting to dad, who was also in a float tube, "Look at that cast, Dad!"

Some old curmugeon shouts "get that F%&$ing kid off this lake with that F&*$ing piece o' ****e gear."

There were immediately five or six of us who approached "Old Yeller" and told him to shut his yap.

This attitude does persist, somewhat within the fly fishing community, but I would guess it is the vocal minority. (You could also say the same for just about any other segment of our society, some folks are just dicks, plain and simple.)

United we stand, divided we fall.

I'm of the same opinion of Nailknot, I'd keep an eye and ear out at the location of the crime. These people, for whatever there political fishing reason commited a crime and should be accountable and brought to justice. -Seriously. I agree with one of the other posters here who said, "did you contact the police?". I think it is very fair to allow someone who is physically challenged to practice the method the WDFW lays out for them in these "fly-only waters". (Even though I don't agree w/many other things the WDFW does..) I can imagine that it must be extremely uncomfortable for that individual to fish in these locations without feeling the guilt from others who may be nearby. Maybe a great way to combat some of the activities these loosers did to our poster is to have an identifiable sticker label on the car signifying clearly that this person is a "disabled" WDFW License Holder. Then, IF they see the sticker they may think twice and might feel some compassion before they act. --It might help a little in some instances anyway. It sure wouldn't hurt.... Maybe the Orvis Magazine and Power Bar thing isn't a bad deterant either!
I have one question for the original poster though, -why did you select this particular body of water to fish say over another non-fly strict area? -Just curious? And, was it clear to you after comments from some of these fly-guys that they were the perpetrators? -O.K...that's two questions.

Nailknot,

Hey, were you the one hammering on the post on the Washington Fly Fishing forum regarding user name "sinktips" comments?

Good Fishing, Darin
Oh, by the way, it looks like we got some night fishermen out tonight from the times posted!

GGF,

Sad story...spineless punks to take it out behind your back if they have a problem with you or your fishing methods.

Note...it is a misdemeanor to obstruct an angler or hunter in the state of Washington in their legal pursuit of fish or game. Game cops enforce this rule. This sounds like an attempt to obstruct you from exercising your fishing experience.

This, of course, is in addition to the felonies they've already committed.

That being said, these bozos don't know that you have a special permit, and you probably have to accept the fact that folks who are ignorant of your status will lash out. If given the opportunity, I hope you share the reason you have a permit and what you're about.

It's not something you should have to do, but it would probably help if you could, if given the chance.

Good luck...

Todd.

It is much simpler to do the easy thing. Report the vandalism to the local law enforcement including fish & game. If you catch them in the act get an accurate description, vehicle license number or numbers and make model of vehicle. Then also post that information for all to see. Do not try to take matters into your own hands. Some of thse idiots out there who call themselves sportsman are armed to the teeth and I do not believe they would hesitate to use the weapon on you. Possibly justified in defending themselves. If you pack a digitial or film camera just take pictures if you have the time. Let law enforcement handle them and they will believe me. Just my 2 cents worth.

I agree with Steelnerves,,

There should be a special permit placard displayed, just like you need visable when parking your vehicle.
Is this already a requirment for your WDFW special permit? if not IMO it should be one.

Not only on your vehicle but on your person too.

Oh yea almost forgot,

If they got close enough to you to break your rod a description should have been given to the authorities.

Please clarify!

I replyed once already but with everyone talking about the rules for a different type of license got me thinking so I looked up what there is to get one of these. What gottagofish said when he returned to his rig. Well what the disabled license says is that when you have this card that you need to have another licensed person to assist you in your fishing. Well the person gottagofish said that he was by his lonesome. According to his license he has to fish with someone. So what are we to assume that he is not disabled and just trying to beat the system. I mean he's packing heat and you need strong arms to shoot a gun and he's driving by his lonesome. He gets to the rivers and to do that you need your legs. This might be all wrong but I just had to say it.

Old Man,

Very interesting there ol' fella. And if true, our poster "Gottagofish"should come clean. (I'm hoping and guessing he's telling the truth because he seems like a believer in G-d based on his quote) If he had someone w/ and this be the case then that second person for hire should have been a body guard. and weapon training! -I'm Kidding! I think a phone would do better...
Good Fishing, Darin
One other note: Speaking of stickers, it's about time the WDFW provide a multi-use card for our VEHICLE-"S" instead of just one sticker! --Finally I can give them credit for something. BUT --they need to do a better job when it comes to parking permit stickers for Out-of-State -visting fishermen like a friend of mine. He bought a damn two day license only to find out we couldn't launch his boat at the Ben Howard launch because he didn't have de' sticker.... It should be automatic because in many fishing locations you need the permit sticker! Oh, and then I tried to call the WDFW emergency number on a Saturday...only to find out that the answering machine was full. -I was pissed to say the least!!!

Sorry to here about your stuff gotto go fish.

Ya know, when I here about stuff like this happening it really chaps my foreskin. I flyfish and do pretty damn good at it I also spin fish and I do pretty damn good at that too. Everything seemed to be alright till that movie A RIVER RAN THROUGH IT came out then al hell broke loose we had newbies without a clue beeting the water to a froth with there new fancy flyrods standing neck deep in water in there new high dollar neoprene waders stuck up Know it all freaks with no consideration for other people. Now they got to have flyfishing only waters so nowone can see how bad they suck. Yes I am pissed. If you want to flyfish, fine! no problems their mate but dont tell me I have to flyfish dont tell me anything else is unethical. Again, I flyfish, spinfish baitcast, or whatever it takes to get them suckers to bite! Fishing is fishing. Them punks that messed up your stuff are worthless piles of scrapfish poop.

I'm curious as to where Gotogofish was fishing too. One area that immediately comes to mind as trouble is Fortson on the N. Fork Stilly. I suffered two break-ins up there, and had a substantial amount of gear removed from my possession the first time. The second time they stole a leather coat and just vandalized my vehicle. At any rate I don't fish there anymore, and I quit fishing steelhead with a fly-rod because too many of my fly fishing brethren were apparently d!ckheads.

Just because some of us fly fish it doesn't make us dick heads. I've seen bait casters and other types being bigger dickheads than most of these fly fishers are.. There are dick heads in almost any type of fishing. It's just that some stick out more that others do.

Give me a break....

Listen to some of you, As if arguments and fights dont break out in "regular" fishing waters. Hell thats half of what drove me towards flyfishing. Ever Been to Blue Creek??? We'd place bets on what two morons would start the sh*& first. Wasn't there just a popular thread about what some of you would do to JET Boat operators on your "drift waters". I have witnessed MANY fights between boaters and bank fishermen... dont act like you wouldn't jump someones case if YOU were the one flyfishing in fly only waters, and they came in with gear.. thats hypocritical. As for the Gun threats...AGAIN, Half of you packing heat, most likely will put a hole in your own foot. Vandalism and trash talking are an unfortunate outcome of overcrowded fishing, and regulations that heard us in like sheep, simply because its "easier to enforce". I'm really sorry about the vandalism, but it could have easily happened on any river on the OP.

I dont think all "flyguys" did this. just because one is an adiot doesn't mean they all are.

I must agree with elkrun. I have fished at blue creek and the people that fish there all the time think they own the banks. People get mad at others and throw each other in the river and threaten each other. Its only a fish. There are jerks on any river you go on. People think they own the river but just remember its gods country.