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I've checked the definition of flyfishing in the reg's and noticed
that it includes" no float or sinker" or words to that effect. Does
this mean that use of floating lines for chironomid fishing in flyfishing
only lakes is illegal since an indicator and split shot are used? It seems
to me that this also rules out nymph fishing with indicators. At least that's
the way I read it.
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When a lake or river is "flyfishing only", it means that only a fly can be used. No external weight, or indicators of any kind. You can use a fly on spinning gear though, provided that there's no weight or float on your line. If it's "artificial fly only", you can use indicators and shot. Hopefully I didn't make that too confusing. Tight Lines Dan
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Shouldn't that be the other way round Dan?
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Dan has it right. The only difficulty with using a spinning rod/reel combo is that you would have a hard time casting, but as long as you use only a fly with nothing else you are "flyfishing only". Take care.
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Wayne you are right use of weights and/or strike indicators is illegal in waters designated "Fly fishing only". However most lakes are restricted to artifical fly only which is a slightly different reg.
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Hmmm, yup you are right. Being a typical english pedant, however it would make more sense to me if artificial fly ONLY meant just that. And fly-fishing only allowed lead and strike indicators. Ah well I guess you really need a lawyer to figure out the regs. They sure as hell look like they were written by one.;-)
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Ian, being another English Pedant, I would think if "The Regs" had no no more detailed definition that, Flyfishing.-.-.-. meant presenting an artificial fly by the generaly accepted method of a purpose built rod, to which was attached a reel, which held a purpose made line of sufficient wieght to propel the fly forward. Artificial Fly only.-.-.- the use of an artificial fly attached to a line, and propelled by any means i.e. assisted by a wieght, bubble float etc. An anecdote from way back in the UK. In the 60's & 70's a number of large reserviors were constructed in the South of England and were stocked with Trout. This opened up an opportunity to working class guys to indulge in a sport previously only availasble to the more wealthy. They took it on board with great gusto, such that the banks,(Boats available were few and expensive) became very crowded. This meant that soon the hoards of wading anglers forced the fish well off the banks,and to stand any chance of catching fish you had to be able to cast in excess of 25 yards (or Metres will do) The result of this was, the use of powerful rods, AFTM 8/9 and shooting head lines. Those who have used them know the problems of having many yards of backing (in those days, very Kinky nylon), around your feet.Some more soffisticated types had various forms of line tray to contain it. Now we get to the point of all this, a guy I knew had the idea that no mention was made in the Water Authorities Regs of the type of reel to be used, bearing in mind that they stated "Fly Fishing Only".His weeze was to attach a fixed spool reel to a standard fly rod and to the line on this, a 10yard shooting head with leader and fly. The shooting head was false cast in the normal way, and when exteded fully the nylon backing released from the fixed spool reel.Fine so far, the method worked well.The test came when a Bailiff arrived and asked the obvious question. My friends reply was "show me in the Regs where it says it is not legal". To which the Bailiff replied "I don't give a stuff about the F'ing regs I say you ain't doing it here and if you persist I will confiscate your tackle and throw you off". I don't think it has ever been tried again. The moral of this is If you think anything is illegal, it probably is
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Great story Mike. Some people consider it a sacred duty to find ways to "skirt" laws and regulations - it's very satisfying when a law enforcement officer sees through the "thinly veiled contempt". On our side of the pond, a favourite expression is: "Nobody likes a smart ass." As to your definitions, they're right on. I don't understand why our fisheries people resist plain-language explanations, but they clearly do.
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I see mike's point, but It's true, there's nothing in the regs that says you can't use a fly on spinning gear in flyfishing only waters as long there's no external weight or float. But I do see your point about people who just like to see what they can get away with. Tight Lines Dan
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