[fishortho]

The success of the RCMP and the community groups around the Lower Mainland with various forms of "Block Watch" campaigns, has spawned a question .......
Why can't we do this with our rivers, lakes and oceans?
Do you think it would be possible to be a little more formal with the "observe record and report" that is presently adapted by fisheries?
Various "streamkeepers" groups around the world are working towards keeping poaching, snagging, etc. to a minimum by keeping themselves visible at the rivers and streams they love....If they are working closely with the fisheries and the RCMP, perhaps they would lend a bigger ear if WE did something about it....I don't think these things cost a lot of money, but they do need a lot of management and over-seeing and a lot of time, which most people just don't seem to have.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter........Ortho

 

[EZ Rolling]

I am all for it sounds like a awesome excuse to go to the river ...

Hun I gotta go duty calls :beerchug:

 

[marko]

Kind of like the gardian angels. This would be a responce to an out of controll problem. If the local law
inforcement,DFO and other associated agencies were to put there stamp of approval on this by enlisting
and educating local volunteers, this might be a viable program.... :beerchug:....Marko

 

[trout80]

I also think this could work.I was at lafarge on sat. morn.and I watched a fellow kill 5 trout.I informed him the limit is 4.He smiled and nodded his head.I then told him, if you kill another one I will report you.Again he smiled and nodded.After which he packed up and left.

 

[skagit3]

I also think this could work.I was at lafarge on sat. morn.and I watched a fellow kill 5 trout.I informed him the limit is 4.He smiled and nodded his head.I then told him, if you kill another one I will report you.Again he smiled and nodded.After which he packed up and left.

I am guessing he didn't speak English very well.

 

[reelangler]

:happy: :thumbup:

 

[Pippen]

Kind of like the gardian angels.

Or....................wait for it ..........................Guardian Anglers. :thumbup:

 

[fishortho]

Very good! Pippen.........I like it!........So we have 6 replies to a post which I thought might stir some interest and 1300 hits on the mythical lakers of Allouette Lake
I thought if a dozen guys were connected by radio on any given day, there might be more feedback to the Ministry as to problem areas, and a few less break-ins into cars.....Guess not?......Ortho 8)

 

[Pippen]

Ortho....

My opinion is it would be a great idea! Anything that gets us as individuals who enjoy and utilize the resource involved instead of bitching about it on forums is a great step. Just a prescence be it with "members" wearing a hat or a crest on them. It may lend a hand to "strength in numbers". I would tend to think there is some hesitation to say something to people because in this day and age you just never know what someones reaction is going to be. Individuals may be more apt to step up the plate and say something if they know there are a couple of other fishermen/women on the same stretch of river etc. Bringing some strangers and friends together with a common interest and "uniting" could help with some education and pressuring those out there breaking the laws.

I know the issue at the other end becomes resources....fisheries and the RCMP and their ability to respond to complaints/reports due to manpower issues.

Just a few thought to maybe get the ball rolling. Definitely worth something worth brainstorming about.....there are going to be ideas that will come out of this and I would encourage all to think of a "solution" rather than just challenging one another.

Ortho could be on to something here that I think warrants a good discussion.

 

[mcallagan]

I agree with Pippen!
This is a great idea so long as you don't get throttled by the purpatrators of the crime.
Also I believe that a lot of the laws that are broken by these type of people are classed in the misdemenor type of catagory.
This means that the arresting officer needs to have seen the offense in order to apprehend the person.
With the manpower available to the COs, DFO and RCMP this is almost impossible.
Not to put a downer on this, the best that can be done is probably just observe, record and report.
Still a great idea though even if it is just observe, record and report.
If one of these offices gets inundated with reports about a certain license plate etc they have to think sometime is up and maybe investigate.
It might scare a few to stop fishing illegally.

 

[fishortho]

I look at the diversity of fishers as well as the demographics we are dealing with here, to say nothing of the geographical setting and size of the lower mainland...Somebody on this board is usually in tune with the trouble spots on any given weekend....I don't think confronting is the answer, no matter how much "back-up "you have.
What I do feel might be appropriate is for all of us who are interested is to carry a pen and get some physical descriptions, auto makes, and truly observe record and report, both to our local offices as well as on this board, and others...For example If the same jerk in the blue truck is at the same spot day after day after day, snagging fish, I think we have a responsibility to take some action. (You might recall the guy who scammed a bunch of people at several boat launches a few years back by collecting a fee) He got put out of business pretty fast once all the boards lit up....If you are reporting it, then more people will be aware and watch out for some of these jerks......The B & E of vehicles is another problem that can be helped by writing down a few suspicious plate #'s and submitting them to the police...The parking lots that are a bit of a walk from the river are the most vulnerable...Keep your eyes and ears open when you are in these areas...
JUst a few thoughts..............anybody else had their car broken into or witnessed some questionable behavior on the flow?? Ideas??......Ortho 8)

 

[Mad_Genie]

Hello everyone, I'm usually just trolling these message boards but this is too good an idea not to comment on. I agree its probably not the best idea to confront everyone for fear of turning a nice relaxing fishing trip into a UFC bout. But if we were wearing something visible that clearly identified us as people who will "observe, record, and report" then at the very least it would deter the casual offenders, which is better than nothing. You probably won't have any impact on the hardcore offenders but thats why I always carry a camera with a decent zoom lens (gives you a head start ;D ).

I'm thinking either patches that can be attached to hats or larger ones that could be put in the back of fishing vests or jackets. The subject of this thread sounds good, "Fishwatch!", pretty much says it all. Just my two cents, I have no idea how much they would cost to produce but shouldn't be too hard to find out.

Mad Genie

 

[reelangler]

this is a great idea guys. anything to get the authorties informed about these types of occurances is great. haha gaurdian anglers, i like that. well anyways i agree that we should do soemthing about it too.

:beerchug:

 

[Britguy]

Great idea but as mentioned but needs a lot of thought
one idea would be to put up signs at car parks by rivers, lakes, etc saying "neighbourhood fish watch"
these would have to be approved by the authorities
then we could have patches made up to suit

 

[reelangler]

:thumbup: this is a real cool idea. and i wouldnt mind being part of such an organisation. there are lots of people out there that abuse the gift of fishing, so i think we should do something about it while we still can.

 

[Guest]

At first glance this seems a great idea, community involvment by volenteers who carry the passion most readers here have for the waters and fisheries they love. That said, let the dart throwing start.

The people who commit crimes on the waters most time know exactly what they are doing, they just have no respect or understanding for the long term effects of their transgressions. The odds are good that when confronted by a "Gardian Angler", violence can and will result. And as we all know, violence provokes immediate reaction. This is why you are not supposed to confront criminals, or drive the speed limit in the fast lane so scoff-laws cannot speed.

I can already hear keys clacking and flames flying here because the intial posts here on this subject are pretty typical of enthusiastic and untrained persons who see a need for their help. Yea, we could have badges man, and those punks would sure have to listen to us then.

Now I'm a law abiding conservationist who has in the past reported illegal activities - When it can be safely done. My reasons for this are twenty years experience in the bar business. You simply NEVER have any idea who you are talking to.

In my case, any person who approaches me in a public place in any situation with the intent of ordering me around had better begin any conversation by producing credentials identifying them as an accredited law enforcement official. Otherwise, you're just another well meaning fool who thinks he knows better than me. . .

OTOH, if you are talking about creating a group of anglers dedicated to educating the general public as to their responsabilities. and pressuring public officials to actually spend money on enforcement of existing regulations, then I'm with you.

Bob Beaupre

 

[steely_crazy]

I think the idea is great :thumbup:, and I'd be willing to get involved. I think this idea sprang up at least once before last fall over what we were witnessing on the Vedder during the salmon run. It would have to have some sort of blessing I think from the DFO/MOE and RCMP. If they arent going to pay attention to the data we give them then its not of much use to collect it. However, if they use our information when they actually are on a given flow then it may be beneficial to them in that they can watch for the vehicle or person we have pointed out to them. But as Little Bob pointed out, there cannot be any confrontational incidents because hes right in saying you just dont know what kind of idiots you may be dealing with out there.

If we could start with a single flow, say the Vedder this year, we could have a few signs posted in the parking areas that state we are watching and recording unethical angling behavior. This would probably need to be approved locally by whatever department has responsibility for those parking areas - I'm not sure if that would be the town of Chilliwack or what in the Vedders case. I only use the Vedder for example as we know its heavily fished and easily monitored because of ease of access.

In any case Orthos right, it would take time and energy on the part of anyone that was to get involved (especially to get it all started). I'm willing to make that sacrifice if others are.

 

[rshew]

:thumbup: this is a real cool idea. and i wouldnt mind being part of such an organisation. there are lots of people out there that abuse the gift of fishing, so i think we should do something about it while we still can.

I agree, this could be the start of something great! :thumbup:

 

[fishortho]

The purpose of posting this thread was to try and get an overview of members opinions/ideas, etc...NOT to start making plans as to what we WILL do....I happen to think if this is thought out properly and a few interested parties would like to volunteer some time, then the information gathered could be presented to Fisheries and the RCMP....I have already stated the fact that confrontatons will do absolutely no good......but are we in afreement that we have a problem out there or two?
What are the main problems?.......Poachers, snaggers, thefts, industrial waste??
Little Bob, your comment on "typical of enthusiastic/untrained persons"??....Enthusiastic & untrained persons are the largest group of the population of VOLUNTEERS......They are mostly untrained in the area they are volunteering for and if they were not enthusiastic, think of all the money that would not be donated in this province to all the various charities.
If we had an army of volunteers and a concrete agenda, with local provincial and Federal backing we will have won. I am also very aware of the fact when 5 people say they will help only 1 person will likely show for the meeting. That's why we need a lot of people...Consevation groups abound....I just think one of them needs a new project..........Ortho 8)

 

[roscoe-pco]

I'm in for sure every year I see guys poaching on the river, sometimes all it takes is a visible authority figure to be present to keep things in order. I'll be the "chase" boat :happy: can't think of many boats capable of out running me that's for sure. I do have a couple connections with fisheries I'll inquire about it.