Josh,

It depends. If the river you were on is open to fishing, then you may fish there. The ribbons mark spawning redds, and even tho a river is open to fishing, it is not legal to fish for actively spawning salmon. Salmon on or near redds are considered to be actively spawning. Therefore, you may not fish for them.

If you fish the deeper runs and pools, you'll be OK. If you catch a salmon that freely drips eggs or milt, you cannot legally keep it, regardless of where in the river you caught it. Same with snagged fish.

I suppose it is less certain when a river is open to fishing and an angler is fishing for trout or char that are holding below active salmon redds feeding on drifting salmon eggs. It's legal to fish for the trout and char usually, but it's subject to interpretation that the use of a yarn or bead egg "fly" is targeting the legal to fish for trout or char and not the illegal spawning salmon.

When in doubt, I either don't fish, or if it's clear that some fishing is allowed, I pinch my barbs down and release whatever I catch. So far, so good.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.