The other day I was fishing Hoodsport Hatchery zone,after a couple hours 8 tribal boats showed up.there was about 15 guys fishing and they started on one end and looped there nets from one side all the way to the last guy and started yelling that we couldnt fish inside there nets as soon as they had us surrounded.What gets me is that we were already fishing when they got there what gives them the right to tell us to stop?The tribal fish cop come up and started telling everyone he was going to start arresting people on a class C felony if they didnt stop fishing.Not only that but the hatchery doesnt even have there quota yet.After all the crap was over 9 jacks and 4 darker bucks were found on the beach not wanted by the indians.Another sad thing, I saw a fisherman walk up and give them $100 for 4 fish.My question is what can be done about this or who can I contact?We called NW cable news and Q13 news they are the most bias.Something has to be done!!!!!The indians broke laws and were let do it but the fisherman were warned they would be arrested.Tell me the fairness in this all.If anyone has any ideas let me know?MAD AS HELL..TM

Don't know if it will help, but try Dennis Nicks, who is a fish and wildlife enforcement officer [425] 775-1311, he has told me that the state police will respond asap to enforcement problems, [206]464-6610 0 fax [425] 338-1066, TDD[360]902-2207

I am with you that is BS. I would be pissed. that is a great idea about the tv. I will help out if you need it.

We are thinking about some kind of protest.Anyone think something like that would stop them atleast for the day?TM

the indians can only kick you off the river if you are on their land. if your off their land you tell them that their their full of ****. hey timberman that is a good idea, but they need more than one complaint to investigate. they need a whole **** load of complaints from angry anglers.

same thing would happen in the north sound. They watch to see if fishermen are catching the silvers then run the net right around your boat and yell at you to get out.

What we need to do is to video these so called Native Americans in the act of breaking the law. I for one am going loaded with camcorder in hand to tape them gutting the fish for their eggs (to sell to Japan) and discarding the carcass on the beach. They will no longer be able to speak with forked tongue and deny that they do this. I have seen them do it. And video of them doing it might be considered news worthy even to our local news.


A picture speaks a thousand words.

This brings up another question I have.

If I am fishing, under power,trolling for salmon, or similiar and a gillnetter, American or Indian, sets up their drift net, under power, and our paths should cross.

Do I reel up and get out of their way?

Do I wait for them to reel up and get out of my way?

Do I run over their nets? Then untangle the mess.

Do I call 911,Fish & Wildlife,USCG, Indian law enforcement or just go home?

This has happened to me and I will not print what my coarse of action was.

fp

moon dog that is a great idea.

Moondog it won't hold up in court, but the T.V stations would eat it up. If it happens often than hit them were it hurts. IMAGE :

Hey Timberman I read your thing about the run in with the indians and think thats a bunch of crap. If I am not mistaking it is against the law for the indians to drag their nets across your fishing lines; try calling one of the BIG news stations in Seattle and maybe Ross McCluaglin will investigate?? Ha. Hey I think all the white fisherman should write to our senator and complain about how the indians are going about their fishing and such if you know what I mean? Richard Truckdriver

I asked the fish cop if he could show me in the regs where it says I cant fish in there sane nets and he said it wasnt in the regs.Can anyone tell me where I could find out this information?STILL MAD AS HELL TM

FP under the rules of the road you are the give way vessel the vessel with the gillnet has the right of way and you as the giveway must stay well clear of the gear that is deployed or that is being deployed. Its the same under Inland rules and International col. regs.
A vessel engaged in trolling (not trawling) is not under the rules of the road considered to be impeded in its ability to manuver and gets no special consideration for passing

Native-I was standing on the bank not in a boat..TM

Timberman,
Times like that make you want to tie on a good ol' pyramid sinker and let the games begin, but cooler heads prevail... video camera is a great idea, and if you do happen to catch them in the act send it in to an enforcement agency and every media place in the NW.
Too much greed out there(white or Native American) =(

- BW

First, the tribal cop has no authurity over you unless you are on tribal land. Tell him to go "blank" himself. That is what two of my TPD buddies said. Second, if you are there first, stand your ground, with all the other fishermen around, there will be plenty of people in the way of closing the net. Third, carry a camera. Take pics or film it. I have been thinking about trying the combat fishery this year. Maybe I still will....

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Just because I look big, dumb, and ugly, doesn't mean I am. It means I can stomp you for calling me it!

I agree with Big Jim, I don't see how the Tribal Police have any jursidiction in non-tribal areas.

One thing that hasn't been suggested, that I really think needs to be done, is to tell your story to WDFW enforcement. I don't know the regs or laws here. I'm sure anywhere in Hood Canal is a "Usual and Accustomed Fishing Area", but Hoodsport is not on Tribal land. So I think, like any fishery, it is regulated by WDFW--in other words, they have an announced quota and seasons, etc. WDFW is responsible for regulating potential gear conflicts, as well, such as buffer zones between pier and boat fisheries (Elliot Bay), having separate seasons for sport and net fisheries (Lk. Wa Sockeye). I have EMAILed enforcement when reporting poachers and have gotten responses back to them.

I would suggest you provide WDFW a detailed EMAIL of the encounter, including (especially) what the Tribal cop told you. Also, inquire what are the laws that govern these situations, so they will have to respond back to you. If there is going to be a gear conflict between two different fisheries, such that one prevents the other from fishing, there have to be advanced announcements. If not, they had no right to interfere if your were there first.

Stand you're ground!!!Take no other action make no threats ,just keep fishing ,as long as you don't cross the line i.e. get in his face and say Bad things about is family upbringing,you are with in you're rights,just keep you're cool as long as do this there isn't s*it he can do.
Remember killem with kindness They are trying to provoke a negative response from you to fuel their fire ...Hang in there Guys

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

TIMBERMAN...I HAVE NEWS!!!

Talked with Tim Flint regional manager and I now know.

The tribes are scheduled to beach seine in front of the hatchery on Tuesday and Thursdays (just like the chum), this was agreed upon preseason for the last two years.

It has nothing to do with egg take at the hatchery. The hatchery now has about 600 adults so about 300 females (approximately) they need 1500 females to meet the egg take quota, there is no concern at this point at achieving that.

As for creating conflict...in the negotiations this year the tribe wanted the Hoodsport zone closed down to sport fishing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flint argued that it can be done both ways...since they usually seine at high tide (or close) anyway...his belief is that any conflict will probably result in a closure to sportfishing next year on "their" days. So just like Chums best day to be there is Monday..today..Hope this makes sense...email me at washingtonoutdoors@gamefishin.com if you have any questions.

Thanks

Jim

Thanks for going out of your way to provide info. At least it sounds like the Tribal Fishery was planned. I think the Tribal cop should have provided this info to the sporties.

I didn't quite get your last paragraph regarding the conflict, though. Did Mr. Flint state that the sport fishery was to be shut down on Tue/Thurs, or did he believe that conflicts would be limited to only Tues/Thurs at high tide? And who gets the right of way so to speak. Are they entitled to stop sport fishing when they show? Do they get to place their nets as TM described, and is it illegal to fish behind them?

Sorry for the added questions, but the reason I'm asking for clarification is because of all of the concern this issue is raising on this and RT's BB (much of the same has been posted there, as well).

Maybe inquiries can be made directly to Mr. Flint. Thanks again for going out of your way.

Thanks for the info jim.

you can call 360 902 2936 for some answers talked to a guy (forget his name)a trible officer has the right to detain you and call legal authority on shellfish violations some contamintion thing, but other than that has no authority what so ever, off there land when they pull there nets around you (even though the way its happining )you can not interfere it is a fedral offence to interfere with any treaty fishery, and yes it is illegal to fish inside there nets. thats what i was told

Well lets see if I can remember the questions.

1. Regarding conflict...it will only hurt us as the tribe wants it to be closed to us during these days...he lobbied to keep it open and it is!

2. It is legal to fish in front of (within reason) I would say until they arrive...and behind them is no problem...I am sure you can't fish in their nets...would you really want to??

Seems like there were more but...hmmmm...can't remember...oh well have fun!

Jim

Went down to hoodsport again today and it finally happened!!!!I was told by a buddy about 6:45 the Indians showed up to net.Two guys were standing on the south side of the bank with lines in the water and they were told by the indians to reel up.Well they didnt and they ran there lines over.As soon as the netters hit the beach the fight was on and fists flyin.Something needs to be done or guns will take a role in this whole thing.They wiped it out AGAIN.600 in the hatchery for the year so far and 4000 in 2 days for the indians.TM

TM, Did you stay long enough to see what they did with the fish?

No I didnt I couldnt stand to watch the slaughter!!!!!!TM

TM,
Can you get me hard facts on that 4000 number?? I need it...very important!!

Jim

Jim-I was told by Bob a guy that works at the hatchery.Do you need it in writing from him?let me know how I can help. TM

[This message has been edited by Timber man (edited 08-30-2000).]

TM....I will make a call today! This run was only projected at (if I remember correctly) 7000 fish...if that run size is correct and they have netted around 4000 then something needs to be done to ensure egg take!

Did the fist fights really happen?? That is not good news for our side...

I will let you know.

Jim

I was told second hand about the fist fight.and havent been back since.Thats the kinda thing we dont need to happen if we are going to try to turn some of these things around.TM

i went to hoodsport sunday, there weren,tany fish to be seen nosing the hatchery creek. this was from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. very sad to see

Jim, have you been able to confirm the 4000 number? I'm interested because the girlfriend of one of the tribal fishers said that her boyfriend had reported to her that fishing has been slow so far. Thanks

I tried all day to confirm or deny...to no avail...nobody around. Hope they haven't left for the weekend! I will keep trying.

Jim

things are getting out of hand. I think that is crap that the indians have netted 4000. That is so many fish.

Well I am not happy with the answer that I got but here it is.

The hatchery manager at this point is not worried about achieving egg take quota so they see no need to curtail tribal netting. Nobody has tried to confirm the tribal harvest number. So gents here is my stand...this has become a state taxpayer funded tribal gillnet fishery...I ask...why raise the Kings at all, if that is what it is for or at least have the tribe pay for it.

Jim (still not happy)

Went down today and there was a ton of fish coming into the racks!!!(THANK GOD).They had a special meeting this week and the nets only get from 7:00am to 12:00 tues and thurs insted of tues and thurs 7 to 7...Lots of fish showing up today lets hope it keeps up......TM

Keep in mind that there are ALOT of fish there. They cannot spawn so they have to be taken one way or another. Sporties cannot take any way near the numbers needed to fully fish the run. Whatever is taken the Hoodsport hatchery personel are responsible to ensure that they are taking what they need.
I was told by Hoodsport hatchery personel that if tribal members don't take the run then the fish are sold to the commercials. This sounds like state sponsored commerial bussiness but may in fact be necessary to keep the hatchery operating, I don't know. I'm also not sure what the financial aggreement with tribal members is.

BTW: If any kind of cop tells you that you are in volation of a Felony ask for a badge number, the RCW number, get out of the way and go look it up. If the cop is wrong then you have some hard information to turn over to authorites.