KEEPER OR NOT?

[chromer]

A buddy of mine (Trollin) landed a nice springer Saturday in the Columbia (just below Frenchmen's Bar, K-14, 5' leader 24" dropper, 10'of water) that had been ripped pretty good by a seal or sea lion. Unfortunately, the critter missed the adipose fin and it was still intact. After letting the fish go we pondered the question "If the critter had torn the area where the adipose should be away, is this a keeper or not?"

The Oregon regs say: "Adipose fin clip: A healed scar where the adipose fin has been removed in its entirety." Obviously the area would not have been healed, but it may have been before the seal chewed that piece off.

So i.fishers, which would it be: 1. Wood shampoo and on to the barbe? Or 2. Let him swim?

[Navigator]

My guess is that it would not be a keeper. If the seal damaged the adipose fin area or just plain took off the tail making the adipose fin unrecognizable, I bet they could ticket you for keeping it because they couldn't verify it was fin clipped. It would be a bummer, but no different than having to release a dead or dying native. Otherwise, a few could come up with seal ripping devices and simulate seal damage I suppose :rolleyes: . (The Patrick McManus "badly hooked fish" syndrome......).

[ 04-22-2002, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: Navigator ]

[OregonBankie]

The Oregon rules state it is unlawful to "possess in the field game fish dressed or mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined."
In Washington, I believe you can keep "mutilated" fish, such as filets, at the conclusion of your day's fishing.

[Dan Christopher]

good job. put it back or the cops are going to say you cut it off.there are some jerks out there that would cut it off if they could take it home.. :mad: i.e snagers :mad:

[bathtub bob]

Keeper or not!!!! What about a healed scar, BUT a small miss cut adipose fin is still there. Like a match stick. Last year we took some with healed mounds on fish, But at Cathlamet the word was if they could get a finger nail under anyting its a ticket. Fish checker didnt know. We caught two in a row. Having 2 slick backs in the box we released them. One had a 2inch healed scar and a little flap at the very back, miss clipped. My .02 worth if i have to let it be determened by officer in the field its going back. What would you do???

[AngleThis]

I would say that you can expect the state to take advantage of any possible means, including a ripped off fin, to extort as much money from the populous as humanly possible, to further the number of range creative ways it can squander it... Oregon state government is noteably efficient in this regard.