So, I don't know of many fishing blogs, websites or whatever that DON'T have a part dealing with the touchy subject of river ethics. Therefore, here's my take on the whole issue (an attempt anyways) as well as what separates these issues.
When I say "hardware", I mean artificial lures. These can be inline spinners, spoons, crank baits, stick baits...basically a lure.
Bait is well....bait. Worms, crickets, minnows...live stuff that you can either buy at the bait store or, you just catch it on the banks of the river before you step off downstream.
Flies are artificial, but are tied by the angler (usually) but can be bought at Fly Shops and run about the same price as a lure does. They range from big streamers (look like minnows or crayfish) down to tiny dry flies that are smaller than your pinky-finger nail. Sometimes it really is amazing a giant fish can be fooled by a tiny speck. Just goes to show you how good their eyesight really is!
As far as MY preference goes, I'd have to say...neither. It makes no difference to me what I used. I caught my first steelhead on a fly rod, but before that I'd use spawn, or a spinner if I had it. As for trout goes, I prefer an ultra-light spinning rod (4.5' long) with small spinners, or a small "leaf-worm" on a hook. Or, mood pending, i'll pick up a fly rod and smack streamers. I pride myself on being a "live and let live" fisherman. As long as you don't litter and are respectful of fellow anglers and the river, I'll fish with you.
There are, however, those out there who will flat out not fish with you if you don't use what THEY do. Seriously. I've met people who are fly-fishers and simply won't talk to you if you mention a hot spinner or if you have fresh spawn. They have some weird issue about being "pure"...I think that's a load of crap since those flies they brag about using are as artificial as the spinner in my vest. In fact, if you REALLY wanted to be super "pure" you'd use nothing but the grasshoppers, worms, crickets, whatever, you found on the VERY bank of the river you were going to fish, and nothing more. I mean...what's more pure than using things the fish would probably end up eating anyways, from the exact same ecosystem? But what do I know? I'm just a trout bum.
Now, that's not to say every person who picks up a flyrod is going to be a huge jerk about it. They are the exception, not the norm. People can be arrogant about using spinners, or even bait.
Which brings me to the whole point I've been trying to get across. It does not matter what you choose to use on the end of your line or how you choose to get that thing across the river. Such blatant arrogance and elitism has NO PLACE among people who have a love of rivers and creatures with fins. After all, didn't we learn to get along and SHARE on the playground when we were like, 5? Maybe I missed something...anyway, don't be disheartened by the jerks. I don't care what you use, and I'll fish with you.
tight lines to all
Brian
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