Last week Streamside featured an article about fishing with children, and the importance of mentioning etiquette and a respect for nature while teaching children about fishing. I was reminded of a situation that occurred some years back when my husband was fishing with our son, who may have been a young teenager at the time. 

The trip was made memorable, and one that has stuck in our minds, not for the camaraderie and enjoyable time had while experiencing a father-and-son fishing trip, but rather for an unexpected happening involving a boorish individual who strode out into the river and proceeded to encroach upon and cast to the same rising fish that our son was casting to! 

It was painful to hear the details of the incident, which escalated into an unfortunate encounter involving adult raised voices and colorful language - and a lesson learned on how NOT to behave while fishing. It resulted in “resting” that area of the river - not wishing to return there for a while to prevent another such encounter. From as far back as the early 1400s, Dame Juliana Berners, a fifteenth-century English nun credited with writing “A Treatyse of Fysshyng wyth an Angle” the oldest work on fishing, describes angling as a “contemplative, wholesome, and gentle pursuit”, that leads to a “merry spirit” (SC) and a “flourishing and long life”(SC). 

Her work laid the philosophical groundwork for the “gentle art” concept that later writers, such as Izaak Walton in his 1653 publication “The Compleat Angler”, would express in his own words. She appealed to readers who are “vertuous: gentyll: and free borne,” suggesting that the sport is best suited for those of noble character and disposition, and describes its virtues as being contemplative and therapeutic. 

Izaac Walton, some 150 years later, describes fishing as a virtuous recreation, calling angling the “most honest, ingenuous, quiet, and harmless art”. In fact, the subtitle of “The Compleat Angler” is The Contemplative Man’s Recreation, which points out Walton’s focus on the meditative and restorative aspects of spending time in nature. It was presented as a moral and peaceful alternative to the “hurly-burly” of city life; and represented a quiet, pastoral life filled with simple pleasures. And centuries later, the beloved naturalist John Burroughs, himself an avid Catskill flyfisher from his early youth, ascribed to the gentle art of fishing, suggesting that true fishing success comes from a genuine love of the sport with an understanding of nature. 

His perspective on fishing reflects a poetic and intimate connection with nature, and he viewed the sport as a pursuit that sharpens the senses and fosters a deep love for the natural world. These are the reasons we choose to go fishing; but from time to time it may become necessary to remind others of the basic rules of etiquette: Follow the “Golden Rule” of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” or, simply stated, if you wish to be treated with kindness and respect, you should extend that same treatment to others. We are fortunate to have so many fishing opportunities here in the Catskills - and we need to treat these waters, as well as those who also enjoy fishing them, with respect and reverence. 

Be kind and courteous to fellow anglers; enter a stream or body of water carefully, remembering that the fish that inhabit that body of water will spook at the least disturbance; and take out what you take in (no littering or careless disposal of fishing paraphernalia) - try to leave the place you choose to fish in better condition than when you arrived. 

If someone else is fishing in a particular pool, riffle or run, either move on quietly to another location or communicate politely and ask their permission before commencing to fish, asking which direction they are fishing, upstream or down. Move in the opposite direction of which they are fishing, giving at least a couple hundred yards between you before entering the water to fish. 

Never walk in front of someone who is fishing or cast to the same fish! And If someone is fishing and you need to pass behind them, be sure to let them know you are passing by, giving plenty of clearance for their backcast. 

When fishing from a boat, give adequate clearance around a wading angler or another boat. Remember that fishing is not only about catching fish - and that others deserve to enjoy their time on the water as much as you do!

Catskill Rod Makers Gathering

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Coming up this weekend is one of the largest and most anticipated events at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center: from Friday September 5 through Sunday September 7 is the Annual Catskills Rodmakers Gathering. Advertised on the CFFC’s website, the gathering is filled with bamboo rodmakers, enthusiasts and friends and family, a great group of people that get together to talk about bamboo rods, rod making and casting. 

There will be 60-70 rods available to handle and cast throughout the weekend, with discussions on tapers, history of rod makers and many good stories. All are welcomed and are encouraged to bring a rod to share, along with their suggested tips for rod building and favorite rod tapers. The Gathering officially begins on Friday at 9:30 a.m. and ends on Sunday at around noon. 

On the agenda is The Bellinger Rod Casting Competition, workshops on various steps in rodmaking, history talks, breakout sessions, and buying and selling classic tackle. 

Hoagy Carmichael will be present to lead a discussion on classic Catskill rods. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be provided, as well as a group photo. Last year there were well over 100 in attendance; tickets are still available for this year’s event by visiting the Catskill Fly Fishing Center’s website: https://ccfm.com/eventscalendar/2025/9/5/2025-rodmakers-gathering or call the CFFC&M at 845-439-4810.