[Jack Straw]

How is it done? With the silly season in full swing now how do you confront poachers at your favorite spots? I've seen posts on this forum about threats of violence, yellin' & screamin', phoning the feds, taking pics or videos with our phones, or just leave your fav hole to the poachers. Is doing & saying nothing the way to go, don't want to ruin a saturday of fishin. Confrontaion really sucks when its your only day off. Poachers should realize they are not only thumbing their noses at the regs but are probably pissing off anglers who would like to well...fish. Has your favorite area been taken over by poachers?

Personnally I will confront poachers loudly & suggest another spot for them to poach ie. Pegleg. If that doesn't work I'll get the camera out & start taking pics & vids of poaching & plate #'s. :drunk:

 

[professori]

Be careful. The DFOs carry sidearms for a reason. I find it is best to politely approach the offening angler(s) and point out the regulations. If that doesn't do the trick, call the authorities, take photos, write down license numbers, but use some discretion. Talk of violence is cheap, but those facing loss of gear, car, money and possibly freedom are often more apt to use it than those who are merely defending a principle. (On the other hand, if there are a few like minded individuals with you, do what you think you can get away with. :thumbup

 

[JackFunk]

I'm thinking maybe trying the polite method first, even though that can be very hard when someone is egregiously flouting the regs.

Then, out comes the cam, switch over to movie mode, get some good footage and post it on YouTube. It's not the total answer but it will shine a little light onto those that choose to flout the law.

Very hard not to get steamed, and then ruin your day's fishing mood, agreed.

 

[Junebug]

Call the authorities. That's what they're paid to do. You're risking your life and limbs if you confront the wrong person.

 

[Steely]

I cant believe all the crap going on while I was fishing the canal yesterday! People long lining, snagging, and even the fly guys were out there sweeping there lines into the mouths, not all but alot. Guys ripping away, and hooking fish anywhere but the mouth and looking at one another while they shaking there heads, saying hmm I wounder how the hook got here....

I shouldnt complain much about the crap that goes on at the vedder during salmon season because its the norm, and on top of that there is never anyone around to do anything about it, other then the rest of us who can only bitch and complain. But yesterday I saw something far worse then the regular snag fest, There was a group of 3 people below me, father and sons, they were fishing well away from the rest of the gong, with me being the nearest person to them. While Im fishing my stretch I see that the 3 guys know exactly where there going to fish and arrive at a shallow area where the water is about a foot deep and the water ripples through this stretch for about 30 feet before flowing into the next deep pool. Because the water is so low many of the fish are traveling with there backs out of the water at times, and these people saw what the fish were doing and took advantage of it, and picked out the fish they wanted as the fish were coming up. They were picking up fish everycast, and picking out the cohos and springs as they came up. The other son a bit younger was incharge of netting the fish, but not always when they were on the hook, also as the fish were moving upstream he would scoop them with the net. But that wasnt even the worst part, the little boy ended up netting a wild coho for his brother and right away bonking it. Then I hear the dad "THATS A WILD COHO YOU CANT KEEP THOSE", they ended up throwing it back in and it floated off. Also saw another dead chrome wild coho float by at another location.... Just pisses me off, I wounder when this will lead to a closure of the entire Vedder/ Chilliwack river.

 

[Dfisher]

Steely: I am in agreement with some of the earlier posts. You have to call in crap like that. Bad enough when they are flossing fish, but catching them with a net. Come on. Report the poachers on the RAPP line and let the authorities deal with clowns like this.

 

[fishnfvr]

Maybe in order to get a fishing license you should have to do a written test - much like the boaters license. Maybe that would educate people a little more.

 

[Junebug]

Maybe in order to get a fishing license you should have to do a written test - much like the boaters license. Maybe that would educate people a little more.

That would be too logical and expensive. In the meantime the snagfest continues. :wallbash:

 

[Crazy Drifter]

Like Proff said Be careful , assess the situation, if it looks like a unknowledged act,try to explain ethics if that doesn't work photo and report. Be careful being confrontational, a filleting or hunting knife make a quick weapond in a idiots hand. If you get physical be careful know you fall into the assault catagory, and I hate ruining a perfectly peaceful day on the water with sore knuckles
Igrnorance can be tolerated because they can be educated, arrogance well thats another story.
For that father and son team out there That would have pushed all boundries, you dont want to embarass a father in front of his children, but I think Dad would have gone for a swim.
Cheers,
Crazy D

 

[Fairweather fisherman]

I think what has to be taken into consideration is that many spots are nothing but meat fishery spots. I'm not in agreement with people poaching but it is to be expected in some areas. The salmon population isn't going to be decimated by people fishing unethically so don't put yourself in harms way for the sake of a salmon whose life will naturally be over in a matter of days. Remember also that many of these fish are hatchery fish raised for people to catch, kill and eat.

 

[young gun]

I agree a writen test sounds good. Atleast the snaggers where i was fishing were releasing the fish properly but still dont know what they're doin is wrong.

 

[Lund-lubber]

I'm not about to risk my personal safety to tell some a$$hole he shouldn't snag fish. Moreover, I feel it's a complete waste of time to take a picture, call the FDO, etc. as, unless they're sitting right there, they will do little or nothing to enforce the law. What are we supposed to do - follow the guy to his car and take down his plate in hopes DFO will go to his house? :

Simply put, I'm not prepared to take a Hollier-than-thou attitude on the river, especially if I'm in the minority, as the case seems to be these days. I just won't fish that area.

:2cents:

LL

 

[Rivahman]

A written test has merits but on the otherhand...when I took my driver's test way back when, it had questions re proper signalling and speeding..I was supposed to learn from that but.... :thumbup:

Trust me, I spent many years in fisheries enforcement and you should never provoke confrontation with someone you suspect breaking the law. There are so many nutbars out there that will snap at the slightest provocation. If you feel compelled to make a report, take licence numbers or try to call DFO on the spot with details. Not to sound discouraging but, don't expect any miracles from DFO. Chances are your report will be either unheard or filed.

The best and safest thing you can do is bite your tongue and try to enjoy your day. Not what you want to hear I'm sure but its the reality of the situation.

 

[billybird]

I agree there should be a written exam on proper fishing methods, that being said you could have a 500 page exam and still get the poachers that are there only to harvest fish. I have been very fortunate to have met some awesome people on the vedder system who were more than happy to offer help to anyone that looked to be fishing, shall we say with questionable methods, and the reality is they just don't know any better. this problem begins at the source, the fishing and tackle stores they for the most part just want the sale. I think though some education couldn't hurt could it?

 

[professori]

I this problem begins at the source, the fishing and tackle stores they for the most part just want the sale. I think though some education couldn't hurt could it?

Actually, I have shopped at most of the stores in the L.M. and have not found one promoting unethical behaviour. Yes they want the sale-that is their business, and if a customer comes up to the counter with a mitt full of gear and no questions, they will sell to them. However, I have found that if you go into a shop with the intent of educating yourself and ask advise and questions, the staff will be as helpful and supportive as they can be. The problem is greedy meat fishers (emphasis on greedy, not meat), that is the source of the problem and always will be. Please be careful with your blame. You paint a black mark on a group that I, at least, have found to be very ethical and largely conservation-minded. What good would it do tackle shops to support methods and actions that would possibly account for a diminished resource and therefore diminished supply of customers????

 

[Summit]

I agree with Professory's Discretion suggestion. If you see a poacher just do the reporting discreetly. Call the Fish 5-O away from the vicinity where you saw the illegal act, lead the Authority to thier location and if by any chance DFO want you in the scene to be a witness, DO IT! I'm sure that sidearm the fish 5-O has is not loaded with cold water.
This issue of "OMG, I saw Poachers today and I'm so pissed, what should I have done?" is old turd"
The acting on it to fix the issue still needs to be propagated.

 

[billybird]

I do agree with you prof but if you are at the counter with a mitt full a bouncing betty's what would be wrong with asking about your fishing methods. If I sounded harsh that was not my intention as alot of the people that work in these shops are friends of mine, and I ask them the same thing. I very much agree with the greedy meat fisher comment though, that's a huge problem. We were talkin on the weekend about seperating all salmon tags so as to increase revenue for more conservation officers. what do you all think could that help? Again I'm sorry if I've offended anyone as that was not my intention. B

 

[professori]

No offense taken here Billybird.

 

[steve]

I always report. Even if it does fall on deaf ears most of the time the DFO and the rest of the government work on statistics and I believe that if they get enough calls in a particular area that maybe they will step up inforcement there. Thats the dream anyhow.

 

[ed604]

Seriously about the kids netting fish. I think thats just ridiculous. We have enough FN groups out in the areas netting the fish and we dont need more sportsfishermen doing the same thing (even with a regular net ).