The accepted rules of behavior when accessing and fishing are based on consideration for other anglers and for the land owners who permit access through or to their land. Observing these rules will also ensure you stay within the law, avoid conflict, and help maintain the good reputation of anglers generally. It is especially important that you are aware of good angling manners when fishing heavily-fished rivers and lakes

Rights of Access

Most rivers cross private land and the rights of the land-owner must be respected. Do ask the owner permission before crossing their land (and use this opportunity to check if there are any dangers to be aware of eg large bulls). Very rarely is permission denied when asked for. Respect the landowner’s property. Leave everything as you found it. If a gate is open leave it that way. Likewise if it is closed. Our ability to continue to have free access to cross land is dependent on farmers and other landowners being able to trust that we, as anglers and guests on their land, will behave responsibly.

Fish Disturbance

A fisherman on a back country river will not appreciate the trout being scared off by a disturbance. Especially on a small stream, give other anglers 3 km of undisturbed river. It may be better to find another stream.

If you need to approach someone who is fishing, do so quietly, keeping well back from the water, and signal your intentions. Even your reflection on the water may spook the trout.

Fish disturbance is not such as issue when fishing for fish on a spawning run.

Good Manners on Rivers and Streams

-          Respect other anglers already on the water.

-          Enquire politely about their plans.

-          At stream mouths, join a line of anglers at the end unless there is a large gap.

-          Ask if it's okay to join an already occupied pool.

-          If a pool is full, wait on the bank or move somewhere else.

-          If you join others fishing a pool, don't fish the water someone is just about to fish.

-          Do not monopolize a stretch of water, even if you're catching fish there.

-          Move upstream or downstream with every few casts unless you are alone.

-          When sharing a pool, accepted practice is to take a step every time you cast.

-          Leave plenty of room for your neighbour to cast, and to play and reel in a hooked fish.

-          Do not fill a gap left by an angler landing a fish - let them return.

-          If other anglers offend through inexperience, have a gentle word with them.

  Upstream and downstream fishing

-          Always enter a pool behind any angler already there.

-          If a pool is being fished downstream by wetfly anglers, start upstream of them.

-          If a pool is being fished upstream by nymph anglers, start downstream of them.

-          Start your angling in the opposite direction.

-          Don't start fishing a pool downstream when someone else is fishing it upstream

-          Don't start fishing a pool upstream when someone else is fishing it downstream

-          If in doubt, ask where to fish so as not to cause a disturbance.

Good manners on lakes

-          Give plenty of room to anglers who are trolling or harling to avoid cutting their lines

-          Try to "go with the flow" which is usually to troll parallel to the shore.

-          When you meet another boat head on, leave them plenty of room to maneuver.

-          When parking your boat for jigging or fly fishing, give other boaters room to cast & fish.

-          Avoid parking in popular trolling runs.

-          Allow other anglers peace and quiet; avoid fishing on top of other boats.

-          Avoid making a lot of noise unless you are well away on your own somewhere.

Access etiquette

These rules apply to accessing fishing waters via private land.

- No dogs

- No guns

- No camping

- Request permission to cross private land

- Offer thanks on leaving

- Leave gates as you find them (open or shut)

- Stay within the river margins

- Do not litter

- Be aware of fire risk

- Respect private property

- Avoid disturbing stock or damaging crops

- Do not park vehicles in gateways

- Be courteous to local landowners and others

LOVE THE FISH AND THEY WILL LOVE YOU BACK

Trout Unlimited offers these great tips:

Handle fish with care. The less a fish is handled the better and the greater chance the fish has to survive.

Fish survival hints:

• Make sure your fishing net’s web is wet before picking up a fish.

• Wet your hands before handling any fish!

• Don’t squeeze a fish’s stomach.

• Don’t stick your fingers or any object into the fish’s gills.

• If you can’t remove a hook, from a fish, cut your tippet line and release the fish before the fish becomes overly stressed.

• Quickly photograph a fish and immediately return the fish to water.

• In warmer water conditions try photographing fish in a net that’s held partially in the water.

• Use barbless hooks. Most fly shops sell them exclusively and for good reason; using a barbed hook you are likely to rip your catch a new opening trying to get it out of flesh. Not to mention what it will do to your own flesh!