I drove over to look at some property on the upper DUCK A GEORGEBUSH River yesterday, and stopped by to look at the Quilcene River. I saw a man about 30 years old who lives on the river in a closed area that sit right in a spot that holds a ton of fish. Most were quite dark by now. I sat there on the opposite side of the river and watched him trying to teach 2 young girls and one young boy the art of snagging stranded silvers in low water. The weapons of choice were halibut sticks with 40 lb test and about 50 feet of line on some jumbo reels with a split shot and a huge treble hook I mean huge. They had a pile of dead or dying slvers on the bank that was at least 25-30 in numbers. This Stupid SOB was teaching with a serious determination just exactly how and when to yank on the line. I mean this guy was raising his voice if they did not do as they were told to do. This area is about 100 yard down from a bunch of signs posted about needing help from all fisherpersons to make sure that snagging and protection of summer chums are enforced to avoid a closure of the entire fishery. To avoid any conflicts i just asked him what he was going to do with all the fish on the bank he proudly boasted that he was just leaving them for the sea gulls to get at so they dont have to eat ones that are already dead and decayed. What a caring person he is.

After a few minutes they stopped and went up the hill to what is their house or trailer. They left the sturgeon ,hali rods on the bank with their catch along with the box of trebles a few sandwhiches and safeway select sodas to be enjoyed on the next session of snagola 101.

Then a funny thing happened a guy went to his truck, put on his waders, and waded right over to the opposite bank. He then gathered all three rods and reels,and the trebles, tossed the food to the sea gulls and just walked back to his truck and took off. I am sure he will donate the gear to a good cause. I was in shock to witness such a terrible crime, but decided to go report the snagging to the authorities, on my way home, in my truck, with my waders

Atta boy .

next time call me I love to play games, and my truck can tow trailers too.

My favorite river.The property you look at on the river but below the ranger hole???There are a couple of sweet chunks of property avalable in there.

Guess stealing makes you a better person??? Lucky you didn't get shot…


Looks as if you'll fit right in with those guys livin in the trailer.

NOTHING WORSE THAN A THEIF!!!

PMartin,

While you are technically correct on stealing, I don't agree with you. Sometimes an act of "civil disobedience" is what it takes to get a lesson across.

Just my opinion.

I fail to see the lesson. They come back, the gear has been stolen, and now the kids learn that they can't leave stuff around, even in a remote place. It really helps build trust. This isn't a lesson, but a crime and did nothing to address the problem. He is lucky he didn't get shot and go down as a gear robber.

Zen,

I can see your point on civil disobedience. Try stealing my gear and there will be nothing civil about it!! Whether YOU think there is justification in your mind or not… Does that make the situation any better? NO. Call the cops..that's what they are for. Also, if the signs were posted everywhere already and it was a known problem in the area I am sure that they would have been out there to solve the problem. Now the only reason the cops were called (if they were) was a report of some A-hole stealing the guys gear. Did absolutely nothing to stop the guy from snagging again...

Should have just broke the rod's and left them right there.Maybe he would have gotten the hint.Of course vandilizism isn't the answer either but I think in this case would have been better then stealing.Good luck,
This guy teaching the kid's how to snagg is real piece of art.
STRIKE ZONE

Could of called WDFW and then if he was arrested the kids could be placed in foster care by DSHS

Ditto's to JerryG and AuntyM, the voices of reason.

BTW - I think the first post was BS, simply an attempt to get attention express ill content with snaggers.

If anyone can convince me otherwise I will feel obligated to inform the authorities as to where to find information to help solve the crime.

Also don't agree with stealing but there are other ways.

I'm with plunker. I doubt this scenario played out as advertized. Sounds more like a bit of fantasy. If I'm wrong I'm sorry. If it did happen it shouldn't have.
Hard to teach someone not to break a law by breaking a law.

If you snag fish and let them go that is snagging. If you snag fish and keep them isn't that considered snagging and poaching? How does that legally work for the guy getting busted?

maybe the word "confiscating" should have been used.

This guy learned a lesson that cost him in the pocket book... maybe a subtle message and one that could be confused with something else.

Just generating thought as I don't have a stake in this.

gettnsnapper, if you really did take the dudes poles, you wont hear me say anything about it.. the dude deserved it to happen whether by a gamie or someone acting on his or her right behalf.. the snagging b.s. needs to stop..

It sounds to like all you did was remove the best piece of evidence the Game cops could have had if you had called the violation in.

Holy smokes, cut the guy some slack. Anyone ever hear about "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?" He was trying to tell us a story.

While i cannot say that i would have done the same thing i will at least give it a Yeah! I have witnessed some of the same type of behavior and when i did say something, all of the OTHER fisherman stood around and did not want to get involved. At least he DID Something besides *****in and complainin.

iam sorry for agreeing with a thief. You should not have took his poles. You should have kicked his ass.