As a group, fly anglers tend to be pretty conscientious about proper resource management. I think that is a safe generalization. Particularly true, I think, when it comes to the immediacy of our interaction with our quarry. Initiatives like " Keep em Wet" and " Don't tread on reds" are well minded, indeed apropos reminders that we have a finite resource and must be mindful of how we manage it. Our social media interactions are frequently populated with cautionary posts that perpetuation of our passion is dependent on our mindfulness as we engage in our activities as they relate to the pursuit of fish on a fly.  All of which is well and good.....to a point. 

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There is a danger though. As I scan various captions to the grip and grin photos posted by guides and the general fishing population I see more and more that there is a population of folks who think it is incumbent upon themselves to remind the rest of the world that proper fish handling techniques are being violated. Sometimes these reminders are in the form of a good natured ribbing from one friend to another however, at other times, they are dour proclamations that take on a condemnatory tone. It is at this point that they often transcend their meaning and affix an impression of sanctimoniousness to the author. If I spent my entire guide day warning my clients ( particularly our most valuable resource, the newbie ) about the hazards and pitfalls we probably wouldn't have that great of a day and they probably wouldn't be so enthusiastic about becoming more involved in the sport. I have actually had clients who said ( paraphrasing ) "I would like to fly fish more, but there is just so much to worry about." 

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  It is paradoxical that the perpetuation of this passion (or pastime depending on your level of commitment) is dependent upon keeping the top of the funnel full with other folks who share the interest. The more folks who fish with a fly, the more folks there are fly fishing on any given river or lake and the less intimate it becomes for others. And yet we need them. We need them from the retail side of the business, we need them as a demographic voting for conservation measures, we need their funds for non-profits doing good deeds. Don't kid yourself, we need the resource to keep the resource. Additionally, more folks equal more fishing pressure and more stress on the fish. Which is where the afore mentioned cautionary notes do a valuable service. BUT, let's remember that inherent inall the verbiage that describes the myriad of reasons that folks fly fish, the underlying and preeminent reason is that it is FUN, or at least it should be.

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  Which is the point of this ( rather soft ) diatribe. The "we" that comprise the professionals in the business and the lay advocates who possess the passion, have an obligation to instill upon newbies the importance of good practice, but when that becomes a persistent, annoying sanctimonious epithet constantly installed within the comments section of social media posts or otherwise. The intent is outweighed by the annoyance. I have my suspicions as to the "why" regarding the motivation of the issuer, it involves insecurities, but those are suspicions and I am not a shrink, so let me focus on the issue at hand. 

 

  Fish, particularly trout are really pretty hardy critters. They can withstand a properly done grip and grin photo session with minimal impact. Further, if your that concerned with the plight of a fish that has been impaled upon a hook, dragged against its will out of it's natal environment, fighting with all of it's inherent instinct against an unnatural force ( the part I like the most ) then I suggest that fly fishing might not be the right thing for you. Joining PETA, might be an option to consider. 

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  On that note I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. If I have omitted your particular devotion, rest assured it was not intentional. Happy New Year and good fishing..

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Support your local fly shop please. 

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Peace

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Steve

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