Bob Simms' Commentary Regarding Delta Fly Fisherman - Warranted?

[OceanSunfish]

In listening to the Bob Simms' show yesterday I got to hear Andy G.'s radio report, but immediately after Andy's report, Bob Simms made an interesting comment regarding the delta fly fisherman's behavior..... Something along the lines of Delta FlyFisherman are getting a "Bad Rep", etc.

Unfortunately, Bob's way of putting things are not exactly from the book of Dale Carnegie and seeking cooperation, etc.

Nevertheless, I am curious of the following:

1) Were Bob's comments warranted? I assume they were and what kind of bad behavior is happening out there, etc.

2) Are there more flyfisherman on the delta today vs. in year's past despite the economy and deminished fish counts?

I've only fished the delta 3 times in the past 3 years...... So, I really have no clue as to what is going on out there, etc.

I fish both conventionally and with flyrod and reel. And, by no means do I take Bob's comments personally. I am just curious.....

[David Lee]

Got a transcript of the whole thing ??

D.~

[Phil Synhorst]

I heard that part of the show too. He gave no explanation, just threw it on the end of his final comment with Andy.

On the plus side, IMHO Andy did a darn good job giving his report. Sounded like he belonged on the air.:thumbsup:

[Mr T]

I did not hear the comments but do fish the delta with fly and plugs 15-30 times/year.

My thoughts:

1) Were Bob's comments warranted? I assume they were and what kind of bad behavior is happeing out there, etc.

I have seen quite a few cases where I have been fishing water and had boats fly right in, crowd water and take over spots that I was clearly either drifting into or already working. I have been surprised at how many of these cases had fly rods on board and guys pull em out and start casting /working water I was already well established in. In 2010, I can recall at least 8-10 times this happened to me personally. Most of these times I have been crowded out based on the fact that I do not use a trolling motor to hold on a spot, and drift most of the time. As a result I need a bigger area around since I don't hang as tight as these guys can. What happened in almost every case is the trolling motor comes out and they start working into my drift. It is pretty easy to see where a boat is drifting, and I cannot think the boat was not running into my area with the clear intent to drive me out. They were.

In such cases I leave. I don't like it, but it is a big delta and I can go look for other water. What sucks is that often after I leave, the same guys will show up at my other spots and repeat the behavior. I don't know why this, but theorize it is one of the following.

1. It is in fact good water and there are only so many of these spots, so they get hammered pretty hard through the course of a day. Fair enough, but leave the guy who came in first time to fish it without crowding them. Then take your turn. No different than fishing a pool or run in a river.

2. The "must be a good spot cause a boat is in there fishing; let's hit it too phenomenon".
Anyone who fishes in a boat has seen this one. Dunno why, but it is a very real thing.

3. The "I just got a boat and am learning, so I'll follow someone else around and check out the areas they fish" phenomenon. When a brand new shiny boat pulls in and just bumbles around figuring out what to do, I can't help but think that is what is going on. It's cool, we all have to learn, but the first lesson I think that should come with the keys to the new boat is a lesson in boat handling/etiquette. Sadly, this happens all too seldom...


2) Are there more flyfisherman on the delta today vs. in year's past despite the economy and deminished fish counts?

No question IMO that the number has exploded compared to 5-7 years ago. I think if anything, the economy and reduced fish counts are one of the reasons guys fish the delta more than ever. Compared to many other watersheds, it’s cheaper to go play there. While there are reduced fish counts everywhere, the delta is still a superb place to try your luck. When the fish are in, it is one of the best places to hit good numbers of fish as well as have a shot at a good fish. How many other places offer that in the valley?

Fly fishing itself needs to take some responsibility here as well. For a number of years, the community has been going on at some length about what a great resource the delta is for fly fishing. With the internet, social networks and instant communication all spreading the message it is inevitable that the word got out and it has in a big way. I have no problem with this fact myself. The industry needs customers to stay in business, and customers want to catch fish. A lot of gear is now bought on the web, and that does not come with a quick lesson in how and what to do out there. I think local shops are very good about educating customers about the way to do it right, but with price point being the driving factor for so many buyers, the internet wins, and we lose. I like going to a shop to feel welcome and to learn things. I like talking to people and immersing into the culture of what I am doing. The internet does a poor job of creating that environment, but that is a different topic altogether to me…

The delta is a huge place, and can absorb a lot of boats and pressure, but sadly many folks do not do this. They go where everyone else is, cause it “must be good”.

I fish with a few different guys and we have spots that we like to fish because we have confidence in them; sometimes we just get off track and go scouting; one of the best things I can have happen is finding a new spot that no one else fishes; until of course someone else sees a fish get caught out of there and waypoints it. (yes GPS has a part in this too).

I do think that many of the guys I see wielding fly rods are not the same guys I might meet on the river fishing for half pounders, or trout fishing. It “seems” many of these guys started fly fishing cause a buddy showed em how one day and they decided to take it up. I don’t think they are fly fishing purists in strict terms, and it’s likely they don’t know about the differences I find in fly fishers versus other types of fishers. IMO, Fly fishers are typically mellower about the fishing experience. Not too say they aren’t committed, but, it’s different, again, IMO.


I fish both ways with guys, and it seems to me that the gear guys are more aggressive in their approach and style. I like doing both, but it all depends on my mood that day as much as anything else. I can say that when a gear guy puts down a baitcaster and picks up a fly rod, it gets fished gear style. Fast, aggressive, and hard. Getting a gear guy to slow down and fish is not too easy to do.

It is what it is, but I think like anything else a little patience goes a long way. Everyone is in such a rush these days. I keep wondering where we are all heading so fast. Is it a better place. I wonder…

Wow, sorry to go off on a rant, but wanted to state my opinion.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

As usual, 90% of the anglers in the Delta, or anywhere for that matter, don't really know what they are doing. They are just out there trying to catch a fish.

There are no tests to get a fishing license or to buy a boat.

Of the 10% who know better, they should be more courteous, fly or conventional anglers.

[OceanSunfish]

Good replies by all.

I will say that Bob S. has been very helpful in informing many anglers of the constant attacks on the delta by water grabbers, politicians, et. al. He runs a good radio show and without the show, all fisherman in Northern California would be a great deal more insignificant than we already have become......

[wishnbfishn]

All of Simm's shows are on the KFBK website (www.kfbk.com) for download or listening if anyone wants to hear Andy's report.

Wishn