Yep, went down to the E. Fork Lewis about 2 today. As we walked into the area we where going to fish, I met a real nice young man who had attempted to flyfish in the high muddy water walking out.
In talking with him, he tells me about this other guy who is still fishing that just landed an unclipped winter steelhead. Said he told the guy that it was a wild fish and needed to be returned to the water. Guy said he hadn't caught a fish in a while and he was going to keep it.
So we proceed to check our licenses to see what the poaching hotline number was. Guess what, on the WA licenses it is not listed (so write it down now if you need it.)
I had to walk back to the van as I left my license in it
We looked for a copy of the regs but found that I did not have a copy as I just gave my copy to someone a few days before.
Met two other fisherman (flyfishers no less) and asked them if they had the regs or the number to call. They didn't but said they would call a local shop. They did and we got it and we called Region 5 WDFW. Had to be persistent to talk to an officer. The first guy just left a voice message. I said that would not work and called back and told them I wanted to speak to an officer now...that the guy was still fishing.
Finally, got to a game officer and explained the situation. He said he would send someone but would take about 20 mins.
Well as unluck would have it, here comes the guy with fish in hand. He loads the fish in the truck (one of them powerstroke f250's). I go over and strike up a conversation trying to keep him there. Ask him if I can see the fish and he shows it to me.
Yep, its a small, unclipped winter fish of about 5 lbs. Anyway, he drives off. Got his Or. license no. and called Region 5 back. They said officer on the way. We see the guy going up over the hill towards Dollar's Corner.
A while later, while talking to some other anglers at the river, one of them said as he was driving to the river, he saw the truck pulled over and the driver was getting a ticket.
Got a call from Region 5, 20 mins ago and they said they got the guy.
I want to thank the 3 young men who helped nab this guy. They waited with me while we waited for the gamies instead of fishing.
If the guy who got nabbed tonight is reading this tonight, hope you learned your lesson. You where told to let the fish go and you decided to keep it. Guess the only thing you got to take home tonight is a ticket.
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