The pecking order

[briansnat]

In the 40 some years I've been fishing I've noticed a pecking order of sorts among anglers and it's even more noticeable since I've been lurking and participating in Internet fishing forums.

It seems that the flyfishermen look down on everyone else. Among flyfishermen, they look down on the nymphers. Together, they look at anglers using spinning equipment with a sense of disdain.

Those who use spinning or bait casters dismiss those who use live bait and baitcasters seem to have a prejudice against those who use spinning equipment (I was once told that I wasn't a "real bass fisherman" because I didn't use a baitcasting outfit}.

The live bait users seem to be on the bottom of the order, with the exception of those who have the gall the keep the fish they catch. If you don't practice catch and release, and especially if you use live bait you are the lowest of the low, the "bucket brigade".

So is there a fishing pecking order and if so where are you on it?

[saxmatt]

I've done it all, from fly fishing to using live bait to catch fish for the table. I think if you aren't willing to experiment and learn how to use different techniques and gear you are only limiting yourself as an angler. The guys who are at the top of the pecking order are the ones who can adapt to every fishing situation. The anglers who only fish one way and think their way is the best, well...I'll let them keep on thinking that and I'll keep on learning and catching big fish.

[Bergen Angler]

I've done it all, from fly fishing to using live bait to catch fish for the table. I think if you aren't willing to experiment and learn how to use different techniques and gear you are only limiting yourself as an angler. The guys who are at the top of the pecking order are the ones who can adapt to every fishing situation. The anglers who only fish one way and think their way is the best, well...I'll let them keep on thinking that and I'll keep on learning and catching big fish.

Well said, Matt.

[Mikey topaz]

Myself i rather fight a fish on a flyrod and actually find out what the fish are feeding on and when and really dial in on them,(especially when stuffs hatching) but its not always that easy so for those times i fish with the spinning rod or if i only have a short amount of time and wanna cover alot of ground quickly . If i know the fish are holdin and are there i fish the fly/spey rod. I do whatever it takes, also people have it in their heads in my opinions big fish want big baits most o the time this is true but ive seen and caught some monster fish on some of the smallest flies too so.....as stated above if you dont try other things and do it all ur limiting yourself as a angler totally agree 100%

[kcritch]

If you don't practice catch and release, and especially if you use live bait you are the lowest of the low, the "bucket brigade".

Not sure about the pecking order...agree with Matt on the variety is better than just one type.....guess for some it's kind of like Sail Boats and Power Boats in one thinks their way is always best. But I find that is the minority of people and not representative of the general attitude.

However....In my opinion the term "bucket brigade" does not refer to those that do not practice catch and release all the time. Rather it is a term that refers to those who always keep anything and everything with no regard for regulations. If someone is keeping fish within the season, size, limit, and location regulations then I have no problem with that and they are not a bucket brigader in my eyes. I practice catch and release 90+% of the time but I do keep certain fish at certain times cause they is tasty and I'm gonna eat'em. And I even use live bait for certain situations but again rarely. But it's always within regulations and limits. I do not consider myself part of the "bucket brigade" because of that. Again just my take on it so please don't take it as I'm trying to convince anyone to think differently.

[Skunk City]

Fishing to me is about catching quality fish and catching numbers. Whatever technique or gear that is working on that particular day is the one I am using. I value my time on the water so much that I don't want to waste it being "technique close-minded".

[ScowardNJ]

I just think some people are total *******s and believe what ever their way of doing something is the right and only good way to do it. It spans way beyond fishing. :D Lets go noodling!

[Bicey]

There's only a "pecking order" if you let that kind of talk bother you. Those of us who only get one day a week to fish wanna catch fish that day, so what ever works for you. I hear the term "drag bait" alot and that's what I do 90% of the time and it doesn't bother me at all. If someone who thinks "dragging bait" is lazy and thinks I have no fishing skills....I invite them to come out and see how I fish. Honestly I could give a crap what some guy thinks of me or the way I fish. I'm out there to prove something to myself and no one else!

[Polelock]

I just like to fish.... Give me a cane pole and some crickets on a North Carolina pond,,, I like to fish... Give me an 8wt and morrish mouse on an Alaskan river,, I like to fish.. Troll up some big kings on the big O using a NK spoon in monkey puke,, I like to fish..

Let them peck on the keyboard all they want... Fish the way you enjoy:)

[Jigman13]

I hear the term "drag bait" alot and that's what I do 90% of the time and it doesn't bother me at all.

I seen em'!!!! Sh*t def works!

[Bicey]

I seen em'!!!! Sh*t def works!

LOL .....We're gonna drag some spoons really soon.

[Jigman13]

Sounds good to me dude.

I learned more last season/this winter than I did in like the 3-5 yrs prior to. Creeping up the ol' pecking order ladder LOL...

[kmaty]

I for one do what it takes no matter species or technique or distance traveled i will drive 8hrs to fish a half hr catch 3o fish and drive 8back to home don't matter i caught fish that is what i set out to do.

[Rybazłapać]

The only pecking order I put any credence to at all is good people over bad people. In this specific case the bad people being the people who fish without licenses or otherwise break the rules. Short of that we're all just trying to catch fish and have a good time, and like the restaurant owner in Muppets Take Manhatten said, "peoples is peoples."

[Ol Pedro]

I think that to me it isn't so much a pecking order as challenging one's self. I started off bait fishing for Bass now I only throw plastics or hard baits for them. Dry fly fishing is the hardest for me. Wet fly's and poppers are so much easier. I understand that the harder it is the sweeter the victory .

[GetANet]

Do I even have to comment about any of this crap?

[JimmyMas]

do i even have to comment about any of this crap?

lol!

[Moz]

Do I even have to comment about any of this crap?

LoL. I'm categorizing myself as a harpooner and if anyone has a problem with that you better move quick.

[GetANet]

My boyz Bicey and Skunk said it all for me......Thanks Guys
And JIGMAN, Your cut off !
No more soup for you!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

[Jigman13]

My boyz Bicey and Skunk said it all for me......Thanks Guys
And JIGMAN, Your cut off !
No more soup for you!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Hey! What did I do?!?! I mocked the idea! And I support dragging bait! Lol.

[15FOOTER]

Nothing wrong with bait..hell I'm one of the biggest mater-baiters on here lol :D Screw the pecking order catch fish!:cool:

[Eskimo]

.



It appears we are differentiating anglers by two behaviors:

a) The skill required for them to catch fish using their preferred method.
b) the resources they consume when they are fishing.

At one end of the spectrum is the skilled fly fisherman who gently releases the trout he caught back into the river. On the other end of the spectrum is the dumb bucket-sitter fishing with a minnow under a bobber who throws everything he catches into the bucket.



.

[15FOOTER]

I don't think that you can gauge the skill level of an angler by his or her preferred technique. I don't think skill levels in general or pecking orders should be established or an accepted practice in our sport. The challenges the future of our sport faces really requires that we all get together to bring each other along. How many kids or young people today under the age of 21 are actually interested in fishing and will pursue this sport to the fullest on their own??!! The last thing we need is to turn people off to fishing, our numbers are dwindling! Tight Lines :cool:

[Super]

There are great fishermen in every category. But, IMHO, becoming great at fly fishing is more of a commitment than any other type of fishing because there are more complexities. Learning and understanding how to tie perfect flies is tough. Becoming a great flycaster takes a lot of practice. Playing a fish on a fly rod is more challenging. And understanding the entomology of a water body takes a great deal of learning.

But, just like any other type of fishing, if you don’t love it you’ll never be great at it.

[Denlon]

There are great fishermen in every category. But, IMHO, becoming great at fly fishing is more of a commitment than any other type of fishing because there are more complexities. Learning and understanding how to tie perfect flies is tough. Becoming a great flycaster takes a lot of practice. Playing a fish on a fly rod is more challenging. And understanding the entomology of a water body takes a great deal of learning.

But, just like any other type of fishing, if you don’t love it you’ll never be great at it.

SUPER_
Glad to see that you are still around and active!
Denny