Open Letter: MT Fly Fishing Doesn’t Make You Better Than Everyone

I'm going to try and tread lightly here, but it needs to be said. Just because you fly fish, doesn't mean you're better than everyone else. It's different gear, same fish, bro. Let's talk about it.

"Entitlement Rods" is what we always called them. The rod itself isn't what really bothers me. Sometimes it's just the person casting it. Let's be clear. I both spin and fly fish, but I honestly prefer spin casting. The gear is easier to pack through the woods, usually, it's less expensive, and I can do just as good with a Panther Martin as I can with a Wooley Bugger.

Growing up in Montana I've come across so many fly fishers that honestly think that spin casting is beneath them, and what they do is a hybrid of art and sport. Dude, you're fishing. It's not rocket science. It's like grade school all over again when you didn't have that new cool pair of shoes and your parents had to buy you the off-brand. The expensive pair isn't going to make you run any faster, you know?

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Don't teach a man how to fish and you feed yourself. He's a grown man, fishing's not that hard. -Ron Swanson

Now, I will say I've run into more out-of-staters that are in for an expensive guided trip in Montana that act this way as opposed to local Montanans. Remember the NYC Banking couple that decided they could just fly their helicopter into the Bob Marshall? Exactly. What's really funny to me is they are spending all that money on a plane trip, hotel, guides, gear, etc... When I can spend $50 on an ugly stick and a license and we'll catch the same fish.

The Montana rivers, lakes, and streams are for all. I don't care if you have a willow branch and a worm, I say good luck and have fun. One doesn't make you better than the other. It's just a different style and preference. If you're a die-hard fly fisher and you see someone spin casting, just give them a nod and say good luck. You're not better than them and you don't deserve special treatment.

Good luck, and Fish On!