Poaching In The River 6-20-08

[Bman]

Got down to the park about noon Fri. Thay are stocking really nice fish in the park. I was catch and release fishing with barbless hooks,so I would stick one and move on to the next spot.

Then I decided I would move on down to the river to check it out.I entered the water on the bluff side,opposite from the gravel bar across the river on the inside of the bend.I could not believe what I saw one of the worse cases of poaching I've seen in a long time! This guy would turn his back and bait up his zebco,turn back around throw out and bam catch a trout and put it on the stringer.I watched him fill his stringer this way.WHERE'S THE GAME WARDEN? I was thinking...didn't have my cell phone on me.BUT I did have my camera! After filling his stringer he lifted the stringer and threw the fish in the boat to die.Then he drifted down to the next gravel bar and cleaned the fish getting rid of the evidence(he thinks) law says the heads and tails must remain on the fish taken. Only two rainbows over 15 inches may be taken in this trophy area.He didn't measure a single one.Check out the stringer pic!

I went up to the park office to report to the consevation office,but the office was closed!

Here are a few pics of the poacher.Hope the law watches this site!

[snagged in outlet 3]

Good job Bman. At least you did what you could. I would think if he's local someone will recognize him. That's been a real problem down there for years.

SIO3

[Dawgsquat]

I bet he threw his cig butts in the water too.

Good job getting his pic.

[Phil Lilley]

I think I see mostly smallmouth bass on the stringer- I'm sure there are more than 6 there. Not sure if there's a length limit there.

MDC can still use this pic with your testimony or at least they can be aware of this guys activities, esp if he's a local.

MDC does watch this board but I'll make sure an agent is alerted.

[drew03cmc]

Mostly smallies. Nice work though!

[Bman]

Guys,thanks, This guy was using illegal bait to catch all,and I saw him take 4 rainbows without measure...the pics only represent what I was able to capture...this dude made a killing,and this was only the start of the trophy area.

When you are out for a good time, and respect nature, it's really disgusting to run into this kind.

[jjtroutbum]

Good job with the camera!!!! I have decided to do the same. Use my camera to out em publicly. And would suggest others do the same.

JJ- With camera out finger on the button. "Smile poacher!"

poacher- as camera snaps as he figures out what has happened. With himself for being a dumb *** or maybe me for not standing ideally by not that I am worried or scared.

My little camera shoots video also.

[Bman]

Troutbum,thanks,you rock!

[Project Healing Waters]

Bman,

You need to email this guy the pictures and let him know you took the pics and all the details: Aaron.Pondrom@mdc.mo.gov He is VERY interested and wanted to thank you for your help. He is a south-central MO game warden I know.

[Trav]

I think I would have opened my big mouth and told him I had pics of his evil deeds and told him my intentions. Just to make him sweat until the warden tracked him down.

But thats just me.

Good job Bman! I hate to see people keep legal fish and stuff like this really gets my blood boiling!