RULES FOR FLY FISHING

Equipment Regulations
A. LINE Any
type of fly line and backing may be used. The breaking strength
of the fly line and backing are not restricted.
B. LEADER Leaders
must conform to generally accepted fly fishing customs. A
leader includes a class tippet and, optionally, a shock tippet.
A butt or taper section between the fly line and the class tippet
shall also be considered part of the leader and there are no limits
on its length, material, or strength. A
class tippet must be made of nonmetallic material and either attached
directly to the fly or to the shock tippet if one is used. The
class tippet must be at least 15 inches (38.10 cm) long (measured
inside connecting knots). With respect to knotless, tapered leaders,
the terminal 15 inches (38.10 cm) will also determine tippet class.
There is no maximum length limitation. A
shock tippet, not to exceed 12 inches (30.48 cm) in length, may
be added to the class tippet and tied to the lure. It can be made
of any type of material, and there is no limit on its breaking
strength. The shock tippet is measured from the eye of the hook to the single strand
of class tippet and includes any knots used to connect the shock
tippet to the class tippet. In
the case of a tandem hook fly, the shock tippet shall be measured
from the eye of the leading hook.
C. ROD Regardless
of material used or number of sections, rods must conform to generally
accepted fly fishing customs and practices. A rod shall not measure
less than 6 feet (1.82 meters) in overall length. Any rod that
gives the angler an unsporting advantage will be disqualified.
Extension butts are limited to 6 inches (15.24 cm).
D. REEL The
reel must be designed expressly for fly fishing. There are no
restrictions on gear ratio or type of drag employed except where
the angler would gain an unfair advantage. Electric or electronically operated reels are prohibited.
E. HOOKS A
conventional fly may be dressed on a single or double hook or
two single hooks in tandem. The second hook in any tandem fly
must not extend beyond the wing material. The eyes of the hooks
shall be no farther than 6 inches (15.24 cm) apart. Treble hooks
are prohibited.
F. LURES The
lure must be a recognized type of artificial fly, which includes
streamer, bucktail, tube fly, wet fly, dry fly, nymph, popper
and bug. The use of any other type of lure or natural or preserved
bait, either singularly or attached to the fly, is expressly prohibited.
Only a single fly is allowed. Dropper flies are prohibited. The
fact that a lure can be cast with a fly rod is not evidence in
itself that it fits the definition of a fly. The use of any lure
designed to entangle or foul�hook a fish is prohibited.
No scent, either natural or artificial is allowed on flies. The
use of scented material in a fly is prohibited.
G. GAFFS
& NETS Gaffs
and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 8 feet (2.44
meters) in overall length. (When fishing from a bridge, pier or
other high stationary structure, this length limitation does not apply.) The use of a flying gaff is not permitted. Only a single
hook is permitted on any gaff. Harpoon or lance attachments are
prohibited. A rope or any extension cannot be attached to the
gaff.
Angling Regulations 1. The angler must cast, hook, fight, and bring
the fish to gaff or net unaided by any other person. No other
person may touch any part of the tackle during the playing of
the fish or give aid other than taking the leader for gaffing
or netting purposes. 2. Casting and retrieving must be carried out in
accordance with normal customs and generally accepted practices.
The major criterion in casting is that the weight of the line
must carry the fly rather than the weight of the fly carrying
the line. Trolling a fly behind a moving water craft is not permitted. The craft must be completely out of gear both at the time the
fly is presented to the fish and during the retrieve. The maximum amount of line that can be stripped
off the reel is 120 feet (36.57 meters) from the fly. 3. Once a fish is hooked, the tackle may not be
altered in any way, with the exception of adding an extension
butt. 4. Fish must be hooked on the fly in use. If a
small fish takes the fly and a larger fish swallows the smaller
fish, the catch will be disallowed. 5. One or more people may assist in gaffing or
netting the fish. 6. The angling and equipment regulations shall
apply until the fish is weighed.
The following acts will disqualify a catch:
1. Failure to comply with equipment or angling
regulations. 2. The act of persons other than the angler in
touching any part of the rod, reel, or line either bodily or with
any device during the playing of the fish, or in giving any aid
other than that allowed in the rules and regulations. If an obstacle
to the passage of the line through the rod guides has to be removed
from the line, then the obstacle shall be held and cut free. Under
no circumstances should the line be held or touched by anyone
other than the angler during this process. 3. Resting the rod on any part of the boat, or
on any other object while playing the fish. 4. Handlining or using a handline or rope attached
in any manner to the angler's line or leader for the purpose of
holding or lifting the fish. 5. Intentionally foul�hooking or snagging
a fish. 6. Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish (including
sharks and halibut) at any stage of the catch. 7. Chumming with the flesh, blood, skin, or any
part of mammals. 8. Using a boat or device to beach or drive a fish
into shallow water in order to deprive the fish of its normal
ability to swim. 9. Attaching the angler's line or leader to part
of a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting
the fish. 10. If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and
is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in the angling
rules. 11. When a rod breaks (while the fish is being played)
in a manner that reduces its length below minimum dimensions or
severely impairs its angling characteristics. 12. When a fish is hooked or entangled on more than
one line. 13. Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating
the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers
that remove or penetrate the flesh. (Injuries caused by leader
or line, scratches, old healed scars or regeneration deformities
are not considered to be disqualifying injuries.) Any mutilation
on the fish must be shown in a photograph and fully explained
in a separate report accompanying the record application.