Please explain? When someone like Buzz Bomb says they snag fish you guys are all over him but when dzrcfitter has his limit and keeps fishing and hooks fish you guys pat him on the back and congratulate him. I say they're both poachers and scum.

So Last one ,thats a heck of a way to introduce yourself.....good luck you'll need it

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Row Quietly and fish a Cataraft }<<(('>----<'))>>{
Release all Wild Fish

Osprey I really did'nt expect any replys because when you tell it like it is the majority of the people can't handle it. As far as luck goes the poachers are the ones who need it because I'm the guy who will stand up to them and tell em how it is while the rest of the fishermen stand around and act like nothing is going on.

Last Cast, I am as against poaching as anybody, cause I see it all the time, some of the small rivers I fish 90% of the people fishing are poachers. But really, what are you talking about?

Last Cast: It is legal to C & R after your limit is retained for Steelhead. Lighten up and make sure you know what your talking about before you dis people. Your not gonna be too popular here voicing your uneducated opinions.

Bob D

Makes sense. A few of the rivers I fish, have an annual limit of one fish over 37 inches. It isn't like duck huntung where they can't be released after they are shot.

Jake Dogfish what I,m talking about is,do you stand up and say anything to those 90% or do you just let it go? If fishermen just sit and watch without saying anything then it must be ok. Bob D. the regulations are available at most outdoor stores and they are very clear about the laws.

Bob D,
Where did you get that idea? On page 57 of the regulations, under Statewide General Freshwater Rules; referring to steelhead "Steelhead may be caught and released until the daily limit is retained."
When you've killed two fish you're through for the day, pack it up and go home.

I was wondering when some one would quote the regs.

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Tight Lines!!

Of course I try to do something about it! I have called and reported poaching many times. The problem is, that where I fish there is a giant hole in enforcement. It amazes me how I can go out on the Sound and get checked to see if I have legal gear and and lifejackets etc, but meanwhile there are people going to creeks and rivers and snagging Kings right off the spawning beds nearly everyday. Do you know why it is like this? because of the same attitude that you have! So maybe dcrfitter was wrong to keep fishing, but he was with his brother or something and I imagine he was thinking of putting the fish on his limit. Or another thing that is completely legal, is he could say he was fishing for cutthroat. The point is wait till he does something wrong before you bust him. Wait till he carries more that his limit up to his car, then haul his ass to jail. Meanwhile, don't sweat the small stuff.

Jake,
It's not legal to fill someone else's limit for him. The limit for trout in rivers streams and beaver ponds is two fish and steelhead are considered to be part of that limit. So, unless you plan to go fish a lake, pond or reservoir where the limit is five fish and you could legally take three more, you are through fishing for the day.

Bingo! "A giant hole in enforcement" thats where the individuals pick up the slack.As for the small stuff most of that is passed on from Dad to Son so it might not be all that small. Preston I believe you know exactly what I'm talking about and I commend you for taking the time to learn the regulations.

The limit on the Cowlitz is five trout.

OK, point taken. The Cowlitz, Elochoman and Tilton Rivers are exceptions to all of the other rivers western Washington in that they have five-trout (but only two-steelhead)limits (alright, the Tilton has no steelhead). In fact, I was not even thinking about the Cowlitz when I shot my mouth off. The fact remains, he wasn't fishing for cutthroat was he? I suppose that makes it an ethical question and therefore a matter of conscience. Do you continue to fish for steelhead when the intent of the regulation is perfectly clear?

[This message has been edited by Preston Singletary (edited 08-02-2000).]

Preston, I agree with you, I know you are a really smart guy. We both know that to keep fishing after your limit is wrong. But in this case it would be probably be unenforceable.
My only point was, that we are talking about an ethics issue here, on hatchery fish, while there are people raping small native runs as we speak. What we need is more enforcement, especially in certain rural areas.

I sapose somebody has just been itching like a flee bag for me to get in on this one.Jump up and down and look like an idiot. well I'm not. HA HA. I was suckered into that 1x and that was it. I will say this when I hooked that 3rd steelie I handed the pole right over to my bro who has never got to fight one. Now what is dif from that than a guide hooking fish and handing them to a client? I really don't care what people wanna say. I have stopped fishing when I had my limit but in this case I didn't because I still had room for a few cuts. I never landed anymore steelies so I didn't brake anylaws. so comparing me to a snagger is a really low blow. but why swet the small stuff I got bigger things to worry about.Like getting a Bull Elk with my permit that I got today!!! I am so stoked. only a few weeks to go.

dcrzfitter

You guys better read your regs a little closer. UNLESS the river is open for salmon, after retaining two steelhead you are DONE - period. The two steelhead maxes you out on trout, even if the "trout" limit is five.
The "devil" is in the details, and the officer wins the draws!!!

I drew my Elk permit also!!! My 2nd son and I went in on the partner system, we both get a permit!!! Yahoo!!!

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Tight Lines!!

Preston,
Your right, My mistake...It says it on page 56 also! Sorry...

Bob D

So what's to keep ya from punchin the first one on your card the and the second one on your Bro's card and ya both keep fishin'??? You know that goes on all of the time. Theres always a way to bend the rules and sometimes, like in the case of fishin' the Cowlitz where they are all hatchery fish and there are a ton of em' it just doesn't matter. None of you can say that you follow the rules all of the time.
Tight lines, Jeff