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.

If you mailed the evidence to the local officals with the address and a detailed discription of what you saw I believe you would be within the law. Your intent was to stop a crime.

Apparently we got two threads running on this issue at the same time!

So this is what I just posted on the other thread for what ever it's worth!


Here's one for you to try!

Try calling up your local Sheriff Office and ask them what to do! Explain to them that what these persons were doing (fishing legally) and that they were breaking the law and appeared to be willing to continue breaking the law. Explain to them that you where not near any phones so you would not call in the illegal act. Explain to them that all you were trying to do is to prevent any more fish from being snagged and that illegal limits of fish were already lying on the banks.

Explain that you did not "steal" there fishing tackle, but instead you confiscated it only to prevent any future crimes from being committed. Explain to the Sheriff that you do not want there fishing equipment and that you are willing to press charges against this person.

Give them a call from a play phone if you're worried about them knowing who you are and ask them what you should do. I do not know what the laws are concerning a citizen making an arrest in this state, but you might want to do some research on the issue.

Either way, you need to turn the fishing tackle over to the Sheriff and tell them why you had to do what you did. To do less, is like waiting to be caught for doing a crime. Who knows, maybe the guy didn't even call the police and or file a report. If that's the case, no legal crime has been committed as of yet. Make the call and see what they say. Or better yet call the WDFW enforcement poacher hot line and ask them what you should do at 1-800-477-6224

That's what I would be doing if I was standing in your shoes at this time. If you don't do something, then you will be considered a thief in the eyes of the law. What's the difference if a person who takes the keys away from a guy who is driving drunk? You only took the keys away to prevent the person from doing another criminal act; the intent was not to steel his keys. They don't arrest you when you take away the persons keys who performing an illegal act, so why would they arrest you for taking away the tools that the person was committed the crime with? Good luck! And let us know what you decided to do.

You may be able to sleep well at night, but you will always wonder if someone saw you leaving the area. Did that person see who you were? Did they get your car or trucks license plate number? Will someone you tell fink on you? It's just not worth it!


Cowlitzfisherman

CF, good post . I couldn't have said any better. If I was in his shoes I'd take your recomendation. There are alot of talent of people on this board and theres always someone giving good advice. Kinda like root cause analysis. Instead of debating and arguing, figure how to fix the problem.

Erndog