What would you do?

[PTS]

First time I have ever had this situation on a river: While walking back to the truck after a day of swinging flies on the Clackamas for steel, I spotted a bright fish in slow water close to shore that was dead. It looked so healthy that I couldn't resist wading out and bringing it to shore to see what it was. Turned out to be about a 25lb Spring chinook hen that was amazingly bright and healthy (aside from being dead). The gills were bright red and it appeared the fish had very recently died. My guess was that it had been fought to exhaustion and then got away from the fisherman and couldn't revive.

We are having a family BBQ this Sunday and the temptation was there to tag the fish and take it home. I thought of cleaning the fish to see what the meat looked like. However, I didn't want to be a vulture and feed on a dead carcass, so I just left the fish as I found it on the edge of the water for whatever critter could use it. It really looked like a quality fish laying there though. It did seem like a waste to just leave it as I did. Would you do the same?

I do have fresh Summer steelhead in the fridge though as I hooked four and landed two this week. I was skunked today, and do think I was just lucky earlier this week as the fishing doesn't seem to be that hot on the Clack.

[JustCallMeDave]

I believe that legally you HAVE to leave it there.

[cooky]

Little fish probably need the meal more than you.

[TrapperJohn]

Check out the regs and definitions of legal fishing methods. Since the fish was not taken through the process of angling, I think it is illegal to salvage it... even if it swam up to you and slipped inside your waders.

[Slow and Low]

Legallity aside...I wouldn't eat it because I don't know what killed it.

Glad somebody is hiting fish 'cause I'm not.

[chromeseeker]

Phil has ways of finding fish! :)

I ran into a similar situation on the Kalama a few years ago, except this was a steelie. This chrome bright fish was finning slowly right by shore, about an 8 pounder. Didn't look like it was injured. I was able to put my hands under its belly and even around it's tail. It moved just a bit but really not enough to escape. I could have easily grabbed it and harvested, but this just didn't feel right to me, so I coaxed it out into deeper water. Very strange.

I probably would have left the salmon there as well, Phil, since It is unclear how it died. However, If I was Bear Grylls, I would have eaten it right there!!

CS

[flyfisherwoman923]

I would have left it...both legally and morally.....probably would have left a bad taste in your mouth no matter what the meat looked like!!!! :agree:

[TallFlyGuy]

Er, Depends on how hungry/broke I am:clap::meme:

[stillwater97]

Phil,

If it was me I'd leave it where it was. as previously stated you don't "know" what killed it.

IMHO, not worth the risk feeding it to family.

Warm Regards,


Mark

[Flying Roast Beef]

You probably just saved yourself from poisoning your family.

[fishkisser]

This has happened to Me various times in the past and I have taken some eggs :redface::redface::redface:But never the whole fish... Too questionable...

[TallFlyGuy]

You probably just saved yourself from poisoning your family.

Phil,

If it was me I'd leave it where it was. as previously stated you don't "know" what killed it.

IMHO, not worth the risk feeding it to family.

Warm Regards,


Mark

Yep, It's a national phenomenon. Fish getting poisoned, and people eating them. Seems like every other week I see this happening on TV or in the local Paper.:grin::grin::grin::grin: It's that damn rat poison. Ends up in the blood stream of the fish, all the damn time. LOL:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Flying Roast Beef]

Yep, It's a national phenomenon. Fish getting poisoned, and people eating them. Seems like every other week I see this happening on TV or in the local Paper.:grin::grin::grin::grin: It's that damn rat poison. Ends up in the blood stream of the fish, all the damn time. LOL:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Does this mean you'd eat a dead salmon that you just happened to find?

[TallFlyGuy]

Does this mean you'd eat a dead salmon that you just happened to find?

Don't know if I would, but I see no harm in it. Is it really illegal to tag a bright fish that is still somewhat alive? Not sure where that is in the regs.

[Two Fister]

Bad things start to happen pretty quickly to fish once they die. Put that fish in summer temperature water (60-65 degrees) and those things happen even faster. I would have sent it back to the river for the smolts and crayfish.
TF

[TallFlyGuy]

Bad things start to happen pretty quickly to fish once they die. Put that fish in summer temperature water (60-65 degrees) and those things happen even faster. I would have sent it back to the river for the smolts and crayfish.
TF


I agree. If it was still partly alive, as I thought that is what I read above, but maybe not. If it is already dead, then no way.

Justin

[steelhead22]

#20 on pg. 8 for the Fishing Regs.

OR, better yet, just go by the definition of ANGLING as it reads in the regs.

"Angling : To take or attempt to take fish for personal use by hook and line."

Since it's stated MANY times in the regs. "Angling only" for salmon and steelhead I would venture a guess that taking them with your hands is illegal.

If you guys need to check out the regulations again, here: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/regulations_2007.pdf

Furthermore, how in the hell can you even be contemplating this. GROSS!!!

[steelhead22]

My guess was that it had been fought to exhaustion and then got away from the fisherman and couldn't revive.



Not a bad guess, but do you REALLY want to eat a fish that's been marinating in the 65 degree Clack for an unknown amount of time on a "guess"????:food::food:

[AndyK]

I agree with most of what has been said. You don't know what killed the salmon or how fast it has deteriorated in the river. Best to pass...

[Tillamook Born]

Legally, you could have kept it as long as you validated your tag with the "catch". Same thing if you just took the eggs from it, not illegal as long as you validate your tag and take the entire fish home with you.