Did anybody see it on the weekend, They had a ten minute segment on steelhead fishing the snake. I figured somebody would have said something about how the fish were released. The fish were brought to the boat and released bill dance style, they just threw them back in. They werent revived!

Yea I saw it.

It was very pathetic. Not only where they just tossing them in they where tossing them into the jet wash and at least once while motoring upriver ??? They also mentioned that it was very cold which couldn't have helped. Too bad as those where some pretty natives. They looked real healthy and put up a pretty good fight so hopefully they all survived?

Kinda goes to show just how far off the radar screen wild steelhead is to most people. I would guess that for every viewer that recognized a Native summer-run that had traveled past all of those damns to make it back to that beautiful little stretch of river another hundred viewers saw just another trout being tossed back

They did mention that the runs have increased recently from 1000 to 3000. That will not last long if everybody uses that as a guide that's for sure!

After watching that segment I am rethinking my position against being able to remove wild fish from the river. Under Washington's new law not a single one of those fish was handled lawfully. If that is common practice amongst guides (I've never witnessed it as most sledders in my area take very good care with their catch) I certianly would have voted for that wild fish ristriction mentioned above.

I saw the show as well, I was pretty shocked to see the release practice. You would think that a reputable operation would show a little more respect for the resource. Throwing/tossing a native fish or any fish from the back of a boat is very poor. I would think that a seasoned guide like Vic would show a little more class than to allow his clients to treat our resources that way.

You mentioned Vic.Was that Vic Dalosto,from Victor and Donnas guide service? Just curious.Missed the show.

yeah I seen it to, looked pretty harsh on the fish to me. I told my daughter the guy should either keep the fish or get it back in the water. I know they want a picture but lets not give it the kiss the fish jimmy houston release for goodness sakes. sorry thiers my 2 cents.

yes, this was fishing with Vic Del Osto on the snake river.

My guys today in the boat were talking about it. Said I would have an absolute coronary had I seen it ... sounds like their decription of it was right on.

For the people that are taken a little aback by the new reg ... this is exactly why there was a push for it. It was never intended to affect the vast majority of fish that recieve at least decent handling before release, but to give WDFW some avenue to pursue some ugly handling by a few. I'd be willing to bet that's the way you will see it enforced as well

Saddened to hear that this is the standard practice for a guide service in the area.

I have personally witnessed boats from Victor and Donnas guide service mishandle and completely abuse fish on the Clearwater river as well. couple years ago I saw one of his clients throw a wild fish as far as he could chuck it. I thought the guide would take care of it but it was high fives all around... low class operation. He has a web site... send him an e-mail and tell him what you think.

I saw it. It was by far the worst handling of steelhead I've ever seen. It was amazing.

I am seriously considering writing a letter to KING 5 because not only did the piece promote absolutely appauling fish handling techniques but it also did a very poor job of portraying steelhead and steelhead fishing (they kept referring to them as winter steelhead).

btw-I've always gotten a kick out of that mid-Winter fishery for Snake River steelhead. As myself and many of freinds joke..."The fish they are catching in January, we released in October!"

I know a little about him.From what I've seen ,and from the people I know that have been around him much.He is a great guy off the river.I havent seen much negative from when I've been around him on the river.But Donna really ticked me off a couple times.From the sounds of things about the show he isnt much of a guide.
By the way,I think Donna learned to guide from Clancy Holt and,or his son.Seems like thats what I was told anyhow.

I saw it too and ditto on the comments. That was a re-run too. It also aired last year.

I was shocked when I saw it! I hope the general public doesn't think all us fisherman treat fish that way. Those people had no respect for our sport and the fish that make it possible.

I saw it. Each fish was held out of the water for 30-60 seconds, then heaved overboard.
My sister saw it too and asked me if that's how most people release fish. I told her "no" and that if I or any of my fishing buddies were fishing around someone doing that stuff they'd get an earfull.

I saw it too, it would seem that King 5 needs to be educated as well.That way in the future they can at least show how fish should be handled. If this guide and his wife want to abuse our resources this way, then we should,(as good stewards) inform the public as to the low class that these guides exhibit......

I saw it too and didn't like it. Letters should go not to the TV station but to the guide operation, which as I recall was out of Hells Canyon Lodge, maybe here: http://www.hellscanyonresort.com/

The email address for teh guide is vic@vicanddawna.com

The email address for King5 is kingtv@king5.com

Here is what I wrote to both of them.

SA

Steeladdict,
They've been fishing Washington for years.Mostly the Cow I believe.Dont know how familiar you are with the area.But the huge house with the huge gazebo and the huge garage about a 1/2 mile above and on the right of the mission launch was theirs.They sold it awhile back for a hair under a mill $ .
Maybe that means they wont be back on a regular basis.