I have watched a guy at Yeomalt Point in Area 10 kill several kings this year (the area is closed to king retention). The guy is a moocher and clearly a veteran in the area. Last night, the guy had the balls to net and bonk a really nice fish in front of 6 or 7 other boats, all within 100 yards of him. Several boats stopped to watch the fight. He then tagged the fish (no doubt in area 11), and then went right back to fishing! I passed by him and noted that he either just set the state coho record or had killed a king illegally. He responded "Tell that to the Indians". I too have often lamented at having to release kings in area 10 when many will end up in Tribal nets, but have always played by the rules.

Would you report this guy? I was tempted but could not find the poaching hotline number in my regulation book.

I have called on people bonking kings on the Skykomish River so I would have no problem calling on someone in the salt.

If not you, then who? Report poaching here: http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/enf/poaching.htm

Is the increased scrutiny by the state worth it Chip? What will they do if you report it?

A. Note it.
B. Act on it.
C. Revisit the season regs for next year and close it altogether instead of CNR.
D. Some of the above.
E. None of the above.

I think that the state is not acknowledging that this kind of abuse is happening when they set the CNR season, but they surely know it's going to happen.

Going back a year or so ago, there was discussion here on PP about targeting the Kings vs CNR'ing the coho. When fishing the CNR area, you MAY NOT target the species that is closed. How can that be achieved? IMO, either close it, or put some gear restrictions in place to keep the lure in the upper zone where the coho are. It won't prevent abuse, but maybe it would help to keep the incidental King hookups to a smaller percentage. Maybe ban herring during the CNR season and only allow trolling with hardware. Again maybe...but as far as the answer to your question...

Sounds like the guy is making a habit of bonking these Kings...bad news. I think I might file a report Chip.

I am not sure about fish however, years back, a buddy and I were up in OP early season bow hunting for Elk. Just as I was getting ready to release on a bull, a crack from a rifle dropped my trophy right in front of me. My buddy came running figuring I had been shot. Long story short... we stayed well hidden, watched the guy drag out up to truck. Got all the info and reported it. We headed to court, guy ended up going to jail and we ended up with a reward ... Sorry, I am unable to disclose...

Though I seen/heard a story about a knucklehead poaching Kings on the Skagit. Department took everything from him including his house plus jail time.

Downriggin'

Report it Chip

In this case we have a responsibility as sports fishermen to report it. I know 'snagging' and 'flossing' occur on a regular basis. These are mostly intentional ( accidents do happen and fish should be released) ways of catching fish that are illegal for a reason.... This person is as guilty as someone who is robbing the bank. In this case it is a 'bank' of fish for future seasons. He needs to be dealt with. Book em Danno....

Done!

It's idiots like Poachers that make it unfair for us law abiding citizens. If poachers increase their activity an dcontinue to do so for a long period of time, it's a matter of time before they close all fishing and hunting and I'm sure PETA would just love that!!!

Me: I'm a law abiding citizen and a proud member of the TRUE PETA=People Eating Tasty Animals!

Kick Arse on the Poachers!!!

~SFJ

People Eating Tasty Animals.....I love it!!!!

im sure people on this bb knows my point of view when it comes to the tribes being able to keep fish no matter what and we dont even get to fish nor keep them( i dont eat fish much) but screw the tribes, the state and the rules, id say if a person wants to keep a "fish" im so sure,like there isnt millions of them out there, salmon that is..wild stealhead are another story.. **berkley boy**

bb75
Just follow the freakin rules dude

And we wounder why we don't give out good info around here. We get a jack a$$ that use's good info in bad ways. The rules are set for a reason. It's much more rewarding doing it by the book. Give it a shot some time.

I mean when you accept the fact that the tribes exist and until there are changes in their fishing habits(nothing any time soon) then the regulations are there to protect the fish. If everyone acted like that dipsh!t that poached the fish then we would not have any fishery at all. People should wake up and realize that what they are doing is distructive behavior.
Personally I prefer to avoid authority and not cause any confrontations cause 9 times out of 10 they will be on the right regardless of who is actually right. Everyone enjoy the weekend, I am going to legally catch my fish,
peace
devine

i want to clarify sumthing, i personally dont fish or target closed rivers or fisheries, but if someone wants to keep the fish, then hey, thats there problem not mine, except when it comes to wild steelhead, then i will say sumthing about it,i do follow the rules, i can read the regs..i pinch my barbs when have to..i dont want to see certain fisheries closed, but the nets have to come out if the fish are gonna rebound..its been proven in oregon that it works..**berkley boy**

BB75, we don't have as many fish as you think. You think there are millions of kings around here? I don't think that kings outnumber wild steelhead by much, or at all, in a lot of rivers around here.

Stilly bum

So true and so sad

Yo Berkley Boob. I think you be smokin that hootch again. Your post makes no sense. I get pissed hearing about poaching. One guy does it, another follows. Regs are for everyone. Breaking them has nothing to do with the net issue. Why some folks think they are above the law amazes me. Jerks like the poacher are using the Indians as an excuse for easy fishin!

Gives me great pleasure to use my cell phone to turn a law breaker in. !
We don't need them in our sport fishing fraternity.

I second Golfers post,Berkely Boob. I'll leave it at that.