salmon / Trout Fishing Etiquette

[weed]

Being relatively new to both Salmon and Trout fly fishing last year I decided to try and share my new found found sport with my family( okay it was mostly for me) I booked a short holiday up North near to the River Glass.
On more than one occasion whilst fishing there from the bank along with my young daughter I was approached by people fishing for salmon and told that I had to move from that spot as they had booked the water for the day and I was in there way. I spoke to a couple of residents up there and they told me that that was "how it is".
The net result was my young daughter who is at an impressionable age and was starting to enjoy herself wouldnt fish any more and it left me with a rather bitter taste.
At not time was I wading/ fishing in there way and I kept well out of there way if they were in the water first. I am trying to persuade them to return this year and would be grateful for any pointers.

[weed]

Sorry forgot to say that it was trout we were fishing for.

[elwyman]

Sorry Weed, but I think it is standard practice on most rivers that trout fishermen have to give way to salmon fishers. This is certainly the case on the Tweed.

This should have been stated on your fishing permit, if true on the Glass.

[tyneandrew]

Its a shame you had that experience.

What method were you fishing? Were you bait fishing or fly fishing? If for instance you were ledgering with bait then this style of fishing, when permitted, dictates that you would not move from a particular location for a long period.

If you see a salmon fisherman coming down with the fly then it may be courteous to stop fishing for a short period to let them pass through then continue your fishing.

If i was the salmon fisherman, i would either leave that bit of water to you. Or, more likely, approach you have some banter and explain my intentions to go through the pool quickly then leave you to it. Some kind of amicable communication/education is key.

Interesting debate this potentially.

Whatever the outcome - do not be put off by it.

Andrew

[weed]

I was fly fishing at the time rather badly. It was more than probably down to a huge ignorance factor on my behalf.I have since met numerous fishermen who have been extremely decent . It certainly hasn't deterred me probably the opposite and made me more determined to learn the correct etiquette.

[tyneandrew]

Excellent attitude.

I suppose all you can do is be vigilant when fishing and as a rule of thumb it is probably wise to let a salmon fisher pass through as they generally don't hang around too long. There is inevitably always an exception though. Personally, i would allow you your space and find elsewhere to have a cast; there is always the option to return back to the piece of water later on.

A good fisherman would be conscious of the fact that you were learning and teaching your siblings and ideally may offer help or advice and be considerate - in an ideal world.

[elwyman]

Weed

I agree with Andrew's sentiments, but commonsense needs to prevail in this situation.

There is usually plenty of trout water available that doesn't really interest the salmon fisherman. The salmon fisherman may have paid £100+ per day to fish the beat, and he won't be happy to see trout or grayling fisherman wading through the best pool on the beat!

This can be a difficult problem, but in my experience the trout and grayling fishermen are usually aware of the beat rules. I think of some beats where trout and grayling fishermen are excluded from fishing the main salmon pools, and this is clearly stated on their tickets.

[tyneandrew]

Yes, checking the rules and reg's on your ticket is also crutial