It's not an assumption or stereotype, period...its simply the way fly lines are presented in the river and its simply a case where the flyfisherman is more of a flosser/snagger than the short floater. Camo and slime lines to a 9 foot flourocarbon leeder/tippet to a size 10 fly is an obvious deception tactic. I don't care if your fly line is a foot under the surface, mid water column or on the bottom, its going to floss/snag more fish than the short floater who uses pencil lead and a big gob of roe. Fish travel in all columns of the river when the river is thick with fish, don't try and fool anyone saying that because your line may be 2-4 feet from the bottom that lowers your chances at flossing or snagging a fish. Short floaters that use roe and spinners are targeting fish that "bite." By using camo fly line, long leeders/tippets and a presentation smaller than a size 4 hook it becomes pretty obvious what the real intentions are.
Frodogga, you have no clue about fly fishing, so please stop spreading misinformation. Ignorant posts as the above can only confuse newcomers to the sport. Remember once and for all and let's put this infantile debate to rest: it is all in the intention of the angler regardless of the equipment he/she chooses to use.
I can floss fish shortfloating wool with a 12" leader, with
each and every fish being caught at the mouth. Likewise, I can snag fish with a fly fishing setup if I
choose to do so.
Oh, and by BTW, proficient fly fishermen are much cooler dudes than bait chuckers.
That's why you dislike them so much - inferiority complex!
Cheers,
Milo (cross fisher and proud of it!)