Hi All,
Last week the sun came out, so I took my wife out to a local fishing dock to enjoy the evening. She put on some powerbait and set the pole in the rod holder, and got out a book. I tried casting a few different spoons. We’ve been here a few time and not seen any fish caught. Half an hour later, I reeled in my wife’s pole, and put on the garlic marshmallow and salmon egg combo and tossed it back out. She likes to fish and will take them off the hook, but she will not handle leeches, worms, salmon eggs, or anything else that’s ‘gross’.
About 15 mins later the game warden comes down to the dock and asks to check licenses. Fine, we both have them. He checks mine, ignores my wife, and says I’m fishing with TWO poles. She’s sitting right there, behind her pole the whole time! He goes back to his truck and 30 mins later comes out with a $91 ticket and tells me how lucky I am I didn’t catch any fish. WTF!

Can anyone explain this to me?

I moved here from Minnesota about a year ago, and have read the rule book cover to cover. And this is my first and only experience with the game warden here.

-Jake

Wow. What county were you in? That guy is trying to make a name for himself. I'd fight it.

Me too. Thats [censored]

I don't see how that is possible ? now if it were D3 I could see it. I think the Judge would be unhappy with the Warden for wasting time and paper.

Matt

Gawd! Jake, if things are as you explained, the ticket won't hold up if you take it to court. If you're working and can't take time off to go during the day, you can sometimes ask for an evening date. You can also just write to the judge and I believe in this case that would be all that would be necessary to get the ticket tossed.

It's just ridiculous.

Personally, I think your opening post is ready to copy and paste and mail to the judge.

Good Luck and even though I never apologize for someone else's shiat, in this case I will.....Sorry you had to endure a case of Washington Stupid.

He got you on the fact that you casted her pole while yours was not in your control. Fighting it probably won't work but explaining it for a reduced fine will for sure!

That's always an important question and consideration.

If the facts are complete, as stated, this ticket should be tossed.

If not, lesson learned??

I'm trying to think how many times I've helped my boys fished. Crap, I need to write the State a check for $91,000, maybe more. As long as she was right there, two licenses, two rods, who gives a crap. I mean there are cases of over limit, and blatant disregard for regs, etc. but just hanging out with the wife. WTF?

Didn't your wife say/do anything?

I AGREE!!
MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THIS ONE DROPPED

Yes, and the Makah Whale hunters only got a $20.00 fine for killing a Gray Whale, Whats this world coming to?

Anybody out there ahve a non-fishing wife? The guy gets a medal in my book for buying a license for her. Do you think the State will get any more from her? Doubt it. Mine's been out 4 times since we got married in 14 years, yet I go shopping with her multple times per month (her fishing).

The braindead game warden should have checked your license and congratulated you for taking your wife out fishing.

That's a total BS ticket. How many of us have been in a boat and deployed others rods before? Probably most of us. I think there are a lot of guys who don't trust their wives/kids/newbie buddies to deploy their downrigger and a $10 flasher. Your rod most definitely is not under your control when you have one hand on the rigger, and the other on your buddies' rod (sorry no way to make that last sentence innuendo free).

The intent was not to fish with two rods, but to get the other person's rod in the water. I always let our my daughter's rod for her.

"Your not in Minnesota anymore" sorry to say that is the way thing are here in Washington state, anti fish,anti business, anti constituent and wait until you get your tax bill...

i've heard this sorta thing happen before. i know of a few cases where a father is in a similar situation but with kids. kids are running around. the guy gets a ticket for fishing 4 poles. this state is a joke when fishing is the subject. you get screwd every whichway you know...

Welcome to Washington NoBoat....isnt angling here an enjoyable, relaxing, pleasant, hobby?

This state cant even manage it's own fisheries but they sure no how to manhandle it's citizens.

Go to court AND ask for reimbursment of your time and energy. If your outcome isn't what you feel is approporate.....sue for harassment.

I think it was an effort to protect the put-n-take trout you were fishing for.

You can only "assist" your wife if she has a disabled permit. You can also assist her if you are pulling her crab or shrimp pot. Sounds like a nit picky ticket. The wardens will try to get you on any technicality so be careful.

Fight it! If anything you will get the thing reduced.

I got a similiar ticket on Lake Curlew. We were fishing side by side off the dock. My wife reeled in, I baited her hook and I cast it out for her, I handed the rod back to her and here comes the gamie. He started in with the attitude by talking to me like I was still in puberty. I held my hand up and said if your are going write the ticket get to it and he did. I did break the law and I did not have a problem with the ticket. It's how the gamie presented himself was the problem. I explained my position to the judge by mail and it was reduced but I do not recall by how much.

My wife was pissed and did not fish again for at least 3 or 4 years.

I guess If we would have been fishing for whales we would have gotten off with a $20.00 fine and a warning.

The deep seated feelings I have heard in the replies to this thread should give the state and idea on what is really going on. Like I've said before, it's all about customer service. I have known and met a lot of good game agents. However, there are some out there that just don't get it and probably never will.

Good luck!

Captain