Undersized and illegal!

[Snow Fly]

A group of friends fish Norfork tailwaters every April and we see the same things every year. The guides come in with their clients for lunch and clean their catch. We count from the deck above the dock and more so than not they have limited out. then they load up the boat for the second part of the day and wouldn't you know it, another limit. To me they are destroying the fishery that provides their income! So Sad...........

[taxidermist]

I do fish the C&R area, but I have a rod rigged with a barbless hook spinner. I even catch a fish once in awhile, But I am quick to release it. Heck I am even quick about releasing fish in the other areas.

I do know that some of the people I saw with overlimits were in fact guides with customers.

Over the last two weeks I have been writing names and boat id, to even include taking some pics to ID the bad guides. Guess maybe some per pressure might help.

I am afraid the the number of poachers is far larger than many imagine.

At Ranchette I saw a guide lay rocks on fish because they had died in the livewell. A small boy later lifted the rock and these fish had revived.

I know and understand wardens cannot be everywhere all the time. So then its up to us to put perpressure on them!!

Anyone thought abouit putting a sign up saying "Poacher someone is watching you!" I sure have.

John

[brownieman]

Having lived in the sticks my whole life i've seen my share of poachin. I understand it but do not condone it except in extreme cases.

Most guys I have known don't waste a bit of meat, they enjoy it and it's healthy to them.

If they are hungry they'll shoot it off the porch...they feel owning the land they have the right and have total understanding and respect for mother nature, most grow large gardens, you know what i'm talkin.

There are abusers...to kill it just to watch it bleed, take more than you can use..whatever, but I imagine it's common place more than some realize.

Game hogs, fish hogs,...most probably ego driven. I've known some in the past that had competition in their workplaces on who could kill/catch the most. People bet on pretty much any and everything nowadays.

IMO there's probably 3 times the deer killed than checked at least.

With food contaminants being so common and such a lack of inspectors at least when one kills or catches it the meat is assured fresh...used to be clean also but we are slowely but surely losing that one.

Guides, clients... pathetic to say the least...the almighty buck I reckon ??

bm

[hornyheadchub]

I do know that some of the people I saw with overlimits were in fact guides with customers.

Over the last two weeks I have been writing names and boat id, to even include taking some pics to ID the bad guides. Guess maybe some peer pressure might help.

At Ranchette I saw a guide lay rocks on fish because they had died in the livewell. A small boy later lifted the rock and these fish had revived.

Please post the photos here, and in doing so make'em regret it so that they can move on to some other part of the country or change their ways.

And I say that a "Wall of Shame" thread could be created here as a sticky specifically to post pictures of these guys. What say you?

[flyfshn]

Personally I like the idea of a "Wall of Shame" thread!

[brownieman]

. What say you?

I'll second that,lol !!

That would be a good one...they want publicity, lets give em some....good hhc

[RiverRunner]

The "wall of shame" is a good idea. Just remember, all of us own the rivers. When someone poaches, they are stealing from all of us who follow the law and only take what we can use.

[Phil Lilley]

I understand where you're coming from. I used to publish a "bad boy" list. I got the names from the local paper's court docket but didn't give credits to that fact. The paper made a mistake, I got sued and lost. One stipulation is that I would post names again.

I don't think I'll do that again. Not worth it.

[Thom]

Last week I walked down to the outlet cable that has the sign on it no fishing on this side of cable. My grandson was with me so I walked on the other side of the bridge there and called to the guy asking him what the sign said just above his head. He said " no fishing on this side of the cable". I asked him if he had any idea what that meant. He played dumb (i think he was type cast into the role) and said this was his first time down here. I explained that there is not an exception for first timers. I also told him to enjoy himself because I had just dialed 1-800-for-warden. (he rally was dumb because he actually bought it. As he was walking out I told him that I hade pics of him on my cell phone and the warden was on his way. Talk about someone getting out of the lot quickly.

My grandson had to turn his back as the guy was leaving he was laughing so hard. Almost every time I come to the tailwaters I see this kind of conduct and mostly people know and just think they are above the law. I usuallly just politely inform the of the regs or show them the sign on the shore. I usally is enough.

[crappiefisherman]

Guys taking the law into your own hands will bite you in the end.Some one will some day come apart at the seams and give you a knuckle sandwich.If you see someone breaking the law, call the law.Thats thier job and you wont jeopardize yourself or your young fishing partner.Police get shot at for less offences , why wouldnt one want to play it safe