Poaching Caught On Tape

[Phil Lilley]

Check this out. Was looking at some videos that came up after mine and this guy took a slot fish up to his car. Almost ran to get it there!! Just a couple of days ago.

[hoglaw]

I wouldn't expect much out of your report. Not sure the length of the fish could be proven.

[Phil Lilley]

Yes but if he's a local or still here fishing and still taking fish illegally, they can watch the area. It's more of a heads up than something they can take and make a case- I agree with you there. But it is clearly a slot rainbow.

If nothing else, he should be very nervous about being caught on camera with his catch... funny if he saw it on youtube.

[hoglaw]

Oh, I think it's hysterical, particularly his quick dash to the car. It's like the guy knew the fish was short, but if he did know the slot, why would he do it when he knew he was being filmed? I guess he's a moron on either account.

[Trav]

Tisk Tisk

[Phil Lilley]

Had a guy fishing during high water at outlet #2. He was close to the outlet with 10 others around plus a dozen people standing above him (tourists) watching. He fought a big trout for 30 minutes and finally someone netted him. About a 23 inch rainbow- snagged in the belly. He commenced to take him to his car!! Right in front of everyone!! The guy who netted him looked like he wanted to tell him off but didn't say anything. I spoke up- told him it was snagged. He ignored me. When he started up the steps I made myself very clear- you snagged the fish and it was illegally caught and it should be released. He turned to argue and I said I'd go to the hatchery and report him if he didn't release it. He was mad but went back to the water and threw it back. A couple of us worked with the fish till it swam off.

[Thom]

Great story. I wish there was some way to stop the snagging. It is especially bad at outlet 2. The sad part is most of those who do it there know it is wrong and don't care. Kind of hard to prove a guy wasn't just setting the hook.

[Rusty]

If you were to report someone to the hatchery, would something actually happen?

[patfish]

Oh good grief! The way some people are about fishing regs is so childish.

Its not like the rules are hard to interpret or follow.

I just wonder, do they just not care? Are they just ignorant?

Then I always go back to, stop wasting your time wondering why idiots do what they do, they'll get theirs, one way or another.

[Phil Lilley]

The hatchery was a semi-bluff. At that time there weren't that many cell phone around so the hatchery personnel would radio an agent. I knew it would be fruitless unless he was real close. But it worked. Luckily he was ignorant of the fact that no one from the hatchery could write tickets.