Nice people Ive met while fishing.

[WBDluver]

All to often we see the posts about some rude dolt that low holed us, crowded us. camped out on the boat launch etc. However I realized that there are more nice people i come across than bad while fishing. For instance, I had a fellow point out a rising fish to me last saturday and we had a nice conversation and he actually helped me see and hook it. Then there were two brothers from Bergan County NJ that were some of the most friendly i have met, showing me their 25 lbs of flies they carry (lol) and giving me a wet fly for the hatch. I could go on, just thought that all to often the rude or ignorant over shadow the many nice people we meet on the bank. What have you found to be true?

 

[golden beetle]

Tom, I thought this post was gonna be about me.

Selective amnesia causing you to forget some other nice guys, hmmm?

 

[sunsignarcher]

Believe it or not the SR has turned up many more positive encounters than negative.

My my first spring up there I was in the lower fly and a bunch of guys overheard me say I was a steelhead virgin and they bent over backwards to tweak my rigging and get me in the right spot that they had locked down. I landed my first steelhead there.

The best though is the constant nods and thumbs up when I have my kids standing next to me. People genuinely dig seein a kid tryin to hold on to the biggest fish they've ever hooked into on a fly.

 

[Thursthouse]

I think the fly fishing community in general is pretty helpful and pleasant. I've had gentlemen cut off flies that they were having success with and given them to me. I've bs'd with countless old timers and young guns alike on the banks of rivers and standing on security lines at the airports when someone notices my fly rod traveling case - every one of those encounters have been fantastic (love hearing stories from the good ole days and love the 'fish stories' from the guys closer to my age).

It's not just the fly fishing community on the rivers, but also online. So many guys from this site and others seem to be so willing to lend a hand - hell I recently had someone send me a video of them tying one of their favorite flies and have had some what of a tying mentor even send me materials from his own collection.

Just one of the many reasons I love fly fishing. It may be a more solitary sport, but guys seem to come together to talk/bs/help/lend a hand

 

[tomfly]

Most of us see it as brotherhood. That is the way it should be viewed. Most fly fishermen see it that way, some do not but it is a small percentile that are all in it for themselves.

 

[Trout Nazi]

With the exception of the Upper D, most people I run into (fly and spin) seem very cool. It is just fishing after all, and I enjoy exchanging and giving away flys, spending a minute or 2 bullshitting with someone out just chilling and fishing.

The Upper D seems to attract a good number of douchbags and mental cases though. I've had guys walk down a half-mile of empty prime water past rising fish to literally stand 6ft away from me, then follow me as I move away, serial-killer style. Guys in drift boats come right over rising fish that I'm casting at. Last Friday was the usual douche-show, however a certain guide and his client did notice how dehydrated I was and hooked a brotha up with some water and iced tea (I drank 8 bottles that day and it wasn't enough), so there are cool people too.

 

[mudbug201]

Most of us see it as brotherhood. That is the way it should be viewed. Most fly fishermen see it that way, some do not but it is a small percentile that are all in it for themselves.

I don't know where you're all fishing. Especially you Tomfly. Where I fish I don't see that much brotherly love on the water. Course I don't spend Mother's day in New Hope, "with the family" like Mac.

I guess I've seen kind of an equal mix of the good and the bad on streams in the Poconos and Catskills. I wish everybody was as laid back and generous as the guys you're all talking about... when it happens, meeting people like that on the river vastly improves the experience.

But a lot of guys don't get it. They're selfish and competitive about their water, their flies, and their information. I think it's a personality issue. If you're a Dick throughout the rest of your sorry existence, no amount of fly fishing will make you less of a Dick.

(congrats if you were brave enough to click those links)

Fly fishing is no cure for being an asshole. If it were, we'd be nicer to worm dunkers and spin fishermen. Last year a bait fisherman got his tires slashed by a few fly guys at a West Branch river access. It's one of those things in life where just having the luxury to do it should make everybody a nice guy when they're on the river. But it doesn't.

Whatever. All I can say is if I see any of you assholes on the water, I'll give you whatever flies I'm fishing with. It's the least I could do. For real.

 

[golden beetle]

I don't know where you're all fishing. Especially you Tomfly. Where I fish I don't see that much brotherly love on the water. Course I don't spend Mother's day in New Hope, "with the family" like Mac.

I guess I've seen kind of an equal mix of the good and the bad on streams in the Poconos and Catskills. I wish everybody was as laid back and generous as the guys you're all talking about... when it happens, meeting people like that on the river vastly improves the experience.

But a lot of guys don't get it. They're selfish and competitive about their water, their flies, and their information. I think it's a personality issue. If you're a Dick throughout the rest of your sorry existence, no amount of fly fishing will make you less of a Dick.

(congrats if you were brave enough to click those links)

Fly fishing is no cure for being an asshole. If it were, we'd be nicer to worm dunkers and spin fishermen. Last year a bait fisherman got his tires slashed by a few fly guys at a West Branch river access. It's one of those things in life where just having the luxury to do it should make everybody a nice guy when they're on the river. But it doesn't.

Whatever. All I can say is if I see any of you assholes on the water, I'll give you whatever flies I'm fishing with. It's the least I could do. For real.

The Cheneys really cause people like me - with brain lesions - tp think.

There's a great article from a Cheney on the hypocrisy of accepting those who dress in drag and not accepting those who like to put on blackface.

Well, here's the petition...

Petition Save The Delaware River System

 

[lightenup]

I don't know where you're all fishing. Especially you Tomfly. Where I fish I don't see that much brotherly love on the water. Course I don't spend Mother's day in New Hope, "with the family" like Mac.

I guess I've seen kind of an equal mix of the good and the bad on streams in the Poconos and Catskills. I wish everybody was as laid back and generous as the guys you're all talking about... when it happens, meeting people like that on the river vastly improves the experience.

But a lot of guys don't get it. They're selfish and competitive about their water, their flies, and their information. I think it's a personality issue. If you're a Dick throughout the rest of your sorry existence, no amount of fly fishing will make you less of a Dick.

(congrats if you were brave enough to click those links)

Fly fishing is no cure for being an asshole. If it were, we'd be nicer to worm dunkers and spin fishermen. Last year a bait fisherman got his tires slashed by a few fly guys at a West Branch river access. It's one of those things in life where just having the luxury to do it should make everybody a nice guy when they're on the river. But it doesn't.

Whatever. All I can say is if I see any of you assholes on the water, I'll give you whatever flies I'm fishing with. It's the least I could do. For real.

I don't want your damn flies....dick.....

No really, I have pretty much the same experience, not everyone I meet is nice and not everyone I meet is a dick......they are usually somewhere in between, I don't really like meeting the super nice guy who wants to talk for an hour and show me all their gear and flies, after all I am there to fish......hmmmmm, maybe I am one of those dicks you speak of.......

I enjoy a quick hello, and a short pleasant discussion, but if I want to talk all day, I'll go home and hear my wife......

 

[mudbug201]

...but if I want to talk all day, I'll go home and hear my wife......

let's not get crazy

 

[WBDluver]

Tom, I thought this post was gonna be about me.

Selective amnesia causing you to forget some other nice guys, hmmm?

Its not selective, its deliberate. I was talking about nice guys, not guys chasing me around the river wanting me to sign a petition

 

[WBDluver]

With the exception of the Upper D, most people I run into (fly and spin) seem very cool. It is just fishing after all, and I enjoy exchanging and giving away flys, spending a minute or 2 bullshitting with someone out just chilling and fishing.

The Upper D seems to attract a good number of douchbags and mental cases though. I've had guys walk down a half-mile of empty prime water past rising fish to literally stand 6ft away from me, then follow me as I move away, serial-killer style. Guys in drift boats come right over rising fish that I'm casting at. Last Friday was the usual douche-show, however a certain guide and his client did notice how dehydrated I was and hooked a brotha up with some water and iced tea (I drank 8 bottles that day and it wasn't enough), so there are cool people too.

Funny you say that, because the people I was talking about were on the upper D. I just think you a "glass half empty kinda guy" lol

 

[Rusty Spinner]

But a lot of guys don't get it. They're selfish and competitive about their water, their flies, and their information. I think it's a personality issue.

You're showing your young age. Years ago fly anglers were hyper secretive and getting info was tougher than robbing a bank in midday without a face mask. I find most encounters I have these days to be great ones. But I also try to anticipate what others approaching me might do to screw up my fishing and then kindly steer them away from screwing me so that I don't need to get in their faces later. Lots of guys wait until they get screwed over even though they see it coming and by that point they are so mad, words are exchanged. No need to do it that way most of the time. I can't remember the last time I got truly angry on the river. It happens, but not often. Let's see what tomorrow brings on a crowded Friday in the Catskills....

 

[lightenup]

You're showing your young age. Years ago fly anglers were hyper secretive and getting info was tougher than robbing a bank in midday without a face mask. I find most encounters I have these days to be great ones. But I also try to anticipate what others approaching me might do to screw up my fishing and then kindly steer them away from screwing me so that I don't need to get in their faces later. Lots of guys wait until they get screwed over even though they see it coming and by that point they are so mad, words are exchanged. No need to do it that way most of the time. I can't remember the last time I got truly angry on the river. It happens, but not often. Let's see what tomorrow brings on a crowded Friday in the Catskills....

I truly have never gotten angry on the river...I have walked away shaking my head in disgust though...

 

[JOE.T]

Friday in the Catskills , Crowds, no water -rivers are at a trickle, and its warming up again..

Should be a blast.

 

[WBDluver]

You're showing your young age. Years ago fly anglers were hyper secretive and getting info was tougher than robbing a bank in midday without a face mask. I find most encounters I have these days to be great ones. But I also try to anticipate what others approaching me might do to screw up my fishing and then kindly steer them away from screwing me so that I don't need to get in their faces later. Lots of guys wait until they get screwed over even though they see it coming and by that point they are so mad, words are exchanged. No need to do it that way most of the time. I can't remember the last time I got truly angry on the river. It happens, but not often. Let's see what tomorrow brings on a crowded Friday in the Catskills....

Where you going to be? Beetle and I will meet you there. Then, come Monday, you can start another post, title of which will be somewhat the opposite is this one

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Friday in the Catskills , Crowds, no water -rivers are at a trickle, and its warming up again..

Should be a blast.

?? 50 degree water temps is "warming up again"? I'll take my chances with those water temps

As for crowds, where I'm planning to go I'll be surprised to see more than one or two other anglers all day long. Staying away from the WB which I love, but only to avoid the crowds and find some big heads poking up.

 

[JOE.T]

?? 50 degree water temps is "warming up again"? I'll take my chances with those water temps

As for crowds, where I'm planning to go I'll be surprised to see more than one or two other anglers all day long. Staying away from the WB which I love, but only to avoid the crowds and find some big heads poking up.

Yeah after a couple of very cool night's and very chilly day up here yesterday thankfully they've dropped of course.

Lower EB and the Main will heat up pretty quick with the low water and exposed rocks.It is warming already today and the sun is bright.

We'll see.

DRC Fishing report, check out report from yesterday and today

The Delaware River Club River Conditions / Blog

Have fun -Good Luck

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Yeah after a couple of very cool night's and very chilly day up here yesterday thankfully they've dropped of course.

Lower EB and the Main will heat up pretty quick with the low water and exposed rocks.It is warming already today and the sun is bright.

We'll see.

DRC Fishing report, check out report from yesterday and today

The Delaware River Club River Conditions / Blog

Have fun -Good Luck

Now we just need rain, and lots of it! I've been getting multiple daily reports from the upper main, EB and WB and was surprised last night to be told March Browns were out. But the Delaware River Club mentions it as well. As always, have all my flies for any hatch on me at all times, so plan to be prepared wherever I wind up. Just wanting to avoid the hoards. No WB for me most likely. Tomorrow is about peace and relative solitude up there....

 

[JOE.T]

Now we just need rain, and lots of it! I've been getting multiple daily reports from the upper main, EB and WB and was surprised last night to be told March Browns were out. But the Delaware River Club mentions it as well. As always, have all my flies for any hatch on me at all times, so plan to be prepared wherever I wind up. Just wanting to avoid the hoards. No WB for me most likely. Tomorrow is about peace and relative solitude up there....

We need a real soaking rain.

I hear you, peace and solitude.Fishing with Churchy tomorrow, but not up there.

Yes MB's are out and I personally saw (Dorothea's) Sulphur's on one of the Catskills rivers last night.

 

[Kendall]

The time spent on the bank is more forfilling than catching a 2lb brooky on a dry fly. the people I have met because of fly fishing a countless and all are of the best quality. This is why I enjoy this forum so much.


Have a good one!

 

[rangeleyflyfisher]

I've told people time and time again that fly fishing brings out the best sports in people. The perception that your out there to just enjoy the scenery, learn, watch, and lock a big one is enough to satisfy. I've met so many fly people through the years. When you find a fellow fly fisherman, there is always a mutual respect that is found but unspoken.

Sent from my fully boosted twin turbo HTC 1 M8 using tapasquawk!

 

[Rusty Spinner]

We need a real soaking rain.

I hear you, peace and solitude.Fishing with Churchy tomorrow, but not up there.

Yes MB's are out and I personally saw (Dorothea's) Sulphur's on one of the Catskills rivers last night.

Joe, we had mostly Blue Quills hatching with some larger tan caddis and a smattering of March Browns all day and the odd Hendrickson dun. The fish keyed on the BQ duns at first, and then we had the first of two spinner falls beginning as early as 3 pm yesterday. The first spinners were all the Paraleps and later, after a brief lull, we had more of those BQs mixed with March Browns and Hendrickson spinners and the fish were gorging themselves on rusty spinners into the dark. A truly great day and way beyond a "double digit" day which is always a rare treat on the upper D. One for the memory banks. We followed it with a streamside beer and a pizza at Raimondo's in Roscoe on our way back home. Great way to spend a 50th b-day....

 

[GARYB]

Joe/Rusty, it's a little early for MBs, no ? What happened to the dead week?
I agree with TN, there seems to be more idiots on the WB, overall though I find most ffmen friendly

 

[WBDluver]

i think its a matter of how we look at other fishermen that may influence the day. When we relax and just talk to them instead of preparing for a conflict we find most are rather nice.

Just thought i would put this back on topic

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Joe/Rusty, it's a little early for MBs, no ? What happened to the dead week?
I agree with TN, there seems to be more idiots on the WB, overall though I find most ffmen friendly

Not when the river goes from winter temps to summer temps overnight and then stays warm. Bugs hatch based on "degree days" and once they have hit the magic number, they launch. I always think of the Catskills MBs as starting right around my birthday which is May 15. At least on the Willow and B-kill and mainstem. It takes a bit longer to run up the two tribs, but I was on the upper East and we had a halfway decent hatch on Friday (15th) of March Browns. My buddy who fished with me fished that same spot on Wednesday to a near blanket hatch of them and we saw their spinners on Friday all day in the air and then falling near dark. And they mixed in with Hendricksons and blue quill spinners. No 'tween hatch this year, I guess.

 

[FlyBri]

I had two guys come and fish the end of a 50 ft long pool I was fishing on the ramapo yesterday. I didn't bother to see if they were nice guys.
:finger:

 

[Drossi]

The Saturday before this one I was out with my teenage son on the upper Musky. The guy in the pool below us was into fish as we could see as we worked down towards him while swinging wets. We intended to get out after fishing the run above him and walk down a quarter mile to give him some room. But he proceeded to get out of the stream and leave the head of the pool to my son. The gentleman and I BS'd about the fishing, in the meantime my son C&R 4 nice bows from the pool. Very grateful to him for giving up the spot like that. Oh and he was a spin guy! so yes the good ones can come in all shapes and sizes.

 

[CTobias]

I bought a pontoon from a guy once. He was a real wanker though. Tried getting me to use bait.