Lets add it up. I live quite a ways from forks, about one tank of gas, $20.00. Stayed in the Forks motel for $53.00 a night! Had dinner for about $7.00 and breakfast for around $6.00. Bought a couple of stinky dead containers of sand shrimp for $5.00. Launched at the upper Bogey public launch, made it down river about two hundred yards and ran into a log jam. Had to push the boat back up river to the ramp. Finally floated the lower Bogey. Had to keep one 22 inch hatchery hen when she swallowed the hook and bled to death. Was at the top of the boat ramp still putting gear away when forks local fish and game asked me how my day went. I produced the fish and explained that I had tried to record the fish but like usual my pen was rusted from all the rain. I even showed him the pen."No excuses" he said, and wrote up the $47.00 fine for failing to "immediately record the catch. "Its his policy," he said, "to write a ticket everytime". So if I add it all up, my little hatchery fish cost me about $150.00! Not really complaining, well maybe a little. I don't mind the room rates, meals,gas and such. But that ticket! Beware fellow fishermen, Forks has got themselves a real live game warden, and his pen works!

ouch

Hey dave, great you got a fish, thats a good day whatever it costs. Sucks you got busted but you know, I am so sick of watching poachers get away with it that I am really glad to hear that there is a clam cop out there going by the book. I would like to see them go right down the line to ticketing for barbs in barbless area's.

Here's hoping you've joined most of us in being glad there's some strong enforcement on the west end. The agent should have mentioned that you could appeal to the judge or magistrate, but the "rusty pen" defense probably wouldn't cut it there,either!

One tip, if your pen fails try anything you can to record your catch. Even blood from the fish will work, or pencil lead.
the game warden will often forgive if you make some decent effort, use the pen later to write it in when you can.
Just a tip, this is info I got a number of years ago from a fellow who is a warden here in the lake washington system. 150 is nothing to sneeze at but the $47 is still too cheap in my opinion
Drifter

Eric & Mitch ... you go guys! Seriously, it is nice to see a little more of the wardens this year ... it is keeping a few more of the guys honest!