Originally Posted By: cohoangler
[quote=Steeldrifter]
If he had "accidently" bonked two wild coho, and later realized he could not retain them, the only recourse is to return them to the water. I know that doesn't make it legal, but possession is 90% of the law.


Yep this is a valid point. Having realized his mistake he could have released the "dead" fish back into the water to avoid further penalty. He would have only been guilty of removing the fish from the water at that point, and face no retention charge. By willfully clipping and retaining the fish he made the charge egregious and deliberate.

As we all well know "not knowing" is not an excuse for breaking the law. This, however is an instance of someone knowing the law and willfully breaking it.
_________________________
When I grow up I want to be,
One of the harvesters of the sea.
I think before my days are done,
I want to be a fisherman.