Lil Nestuc snaggers, I have pictures!!

[TheRogue]

After getting blown off the mountain, after seeing a few cows flying by(not really but it seemed that way), I zipped up to the Little Nestucca...specifically, the Stellar Falls hole. My neighbors got 2 really nice fish there yesterday, and I just HAPPENED to have my rod with me :wink:

So I get there, a couple of rigs, right as I get out of the rig and look over the edge, I see these fish right in the tailout..
UGLY!! And they're everywhere across the tailout, flopping and spawning, it was awesome!! I grabbed my digital camera, and took this picture right off the road:
http://sites.onlinemac.com/khensley/pictures/snagger1.jpg

I went on down to the bank, and what to my eyes should appear but 2 people with one rod, casting into the middle of the spawning melee, and yanking back through!! I clicked this pict when they were trying to land one:
http://sites.onlinemac.com/khensley/pictures/snagger2.jpg

I asked them if they were from Idaho (one of the license plates), and they said, yes.. I always give people the benefit of the doubt, so I told them in my best authoritative voice, "Hey, did you know it's illegal, AND IMMORAL, to disturb fish on their spawning beds?? The father asked me," So where am I supposed to fish?", and I told him that fresher fish often hold in the upper part of the hole, and the fish at the tailout are generally spawners. He then proceeded to tell me that he had lost his favorite spinner (see it, right there in the back of that fish?), and he just wanted it back. He held up his current "lure"....it was a chunk of pencil lead slid all the way down onto the top of a 2/0 hook!!! I gave him one last shot, and said that he was looking at mighty big tickets if Johnny Law happened to stop. He replied "I just want my spinner back!!" and went right back at it. I left at that time, taking more pictures on my way out, including one of the vehicle with the Idaho plates.

I was on my way down the river to find the TIP phone number (no, I didn't have it!! :whazzup: ), or hopefully an officer, when I saw three people standing in the river, on what appeared to be private property. I stopped once again, and watched as the kid in the group waded out amongst the spawning fish, and hooked a nice blacky. I got a few more pictures before my battery went dead, here's one of them:
http://sites.onlinemac.com/khensley/pictures/snagger3.jpg

They actually bonked the fish!! I got a picture of the vehicle and the plate before my batteries gave out. Being on what looked to be private property, I didn't want to go over and chew on them, besides, I was wearing my blue camo, and no-one ever takes me seriously when I'm wearing it! :wink:

This, by far, was worse to me than the first instance, because, #1, these people were decked out in very nice equipment, and were driving a nice rig, #2, they were wading in the middle of the redds, and #3, there was a young kid obviously being "taught" how to fish.

As I said before, I didn't have the TIP number (do now), and as it turns out, my c-phone was dead anyway(water does bad things to electronics). I drove to Neskowin, called the easiest number out of the payphone (county mounties), and gave them my name, #, and information, and that I had pictures. The person on the other end told me that had numerous reports from all the local rivers, and that the information would be passed along.

Waiting for a call, I hope to get one. I purposely didn't post most of the pictures here, in case they're needed elsewhere.

TR

[ 11-16-2002, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: TheRogue ]

[Jettin' Fool]

These low lifes must be dealt with! http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/aktion/aktion073.gif

[skein]

Nice job, Rogue. Thanks for your efforts. Tell me the type of batteries your camera uses and I'll get you a sack full. No kidding.

Hopefully these guys are about to get a REAL fishing lesson! graemlins/berry.gif

Thanks again.

Skein

[Cutter]

Nice job TR, makes me sad, I truely hope they get caught, I can't imagine teaching your kid to snag. :hoboy:

[Born to Fish]

Good job TR - it's unbelievable how greedy and stupid people can be. I sure hope that the fish-cops see fit to use your evidence to nail these butt-heads!

[timinthegorge]

Stupid is, as stupid does! Nice job TR.....

Hopefully...... they'll get some cumupance......

Let's stay vigil..... we're fighting for our resource here. And there are those who believe it's ok to steal spawning fish and destroy their beds..... and deplete the resource, and jeopardize what we ALL value!

Always keep a pen and pad for taking down vehicle plates...and like TR, take pictures......

And for the A$$holes teachin' their kids it's ok to take any fish, anywhere...... Stop by my house. Lessons start at O'buttkick thirty, with a 34 ounce bat..... we'll move up to cattle prods as the day continues......

Grrrrrrr......... this really fries my bacon!!!

[Jennie@ifish]

This is a perfect time to go out to the vehicle you use for fishing and make absolute CERTAIN you have the TIP number with you.

Way to go!!! This enrages me!!!!

Still, I'd appreciate it very much, if you can show your anger without using profanity.

Jen

[timinthegorge]

Sorry Jen...... but this is outrageous behavior!

This is not only illegal, but also an affront to all of us who care about our sport......

@##$$%%%^&^&**((())

Is that better? :wink:

[Jennie@ifish]

Funny.... I was just going to go back and edit that part of it...

Too late! Mom's busted.

Jen

[Wood N' Fish]

Once again nice job TR!----- I am so happy to hear that there are those umung us to car! Kudo's--------OSP Yeah!!!!! :cool:

[slamin salmon]

Your doing something most only talk about.I for one THANK YOU! This problem belongs to all of us in stopping. You can't leave it for the next guy. My hats off to you. graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif

[Hogmaster]

:cheers:

You may have a date in your future. It'll be worth it!

[ssteelheadsteve]

By case law and definition you may not fish for fish that are spawning. Ticket is " harrasing wildlife ". Try to get a cop to write one of these tickets HA. However if you are white,speak english and appear to have the means to "pay" your chances of receiving a "harrasing wildlife or snagging " ticket are markedly increased in Tillamook County.

[Gus Orviston]

TR you are my role model :cheers: ....well, maybe not the camo attire :hoboy: , but you got a nice truck :grin:

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/282519296.gif

[SKP]

Great job TheRogue!!!

Looks like the snaggers from Farmer's Creek moved to the Little Nestucca, to try to get out of the lime light. The word is getting out that the ifish force is going to get you into deep trouble. WAY TO GO!!! HIGH FIVE!!!

Now we ifishers have two spots to keep our eyes intently peeled onto.

Now we should have the OSP hot on the trail to two groups of snaggers this week!!!

graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif

SKP

[V. Green]

The HALL of SHAME! :mad: Hopefully these idiots will get what they deserve.

Good Job TR

[zomonster]

:mad: Why don't you post their plate numbers so we all can watch for these guys. If found, we can continue to reinforce what the laws in Oregon mean. Of course after the phone call is made. graemlins/icon_argue.gif Keep em' busy..

[hankstr]

awesome job tr i think we who have video cams should consider bringing them along on the trip so we can nail these idiots once and for all and maybe even get video of a nice fight haha !!!fish on graemlins/applause.gif graemlins/applause.gif

[Red Green]

get a rope

[bigfishon]

I find it hard to beleive people really eat those old dark fish graemlins/berry.gif But I see people bonking them all the time egg's squirting out and all :mad: all you can do is keep turning them in and giveing plate numbers. Sliverslinger and I turned in a couple of guys on the Salmon that were snagging with buzzbombs and had kept an unclipped coho and a couple of snagged hens. Followed them when they left got their plate No# called the OSP from a pay phone "911 is a free call on a pay phone and will get you OSP ASP" told what way they were going and got a call a while later when I got home and found out they had cops waiting in Salem at their home for them to arrive. Have not heard from them again, do hope to though. Keep on hunting snaggers it is rewarding in the end.
:cheers:

[BUGLEMAN]

I like hunting. Snagger huntin sounds fun and easy in those parts. All you need is a video camera/picture or 2 witnesses + evidence ie the fish, combine that with a call to the police and you get fried snagger.

[Jettin' Fool]

I'm all for calling in on these scumbags, but dont use 911 except for emergencies only please!

Fool

[Great Dane]

I'm in the choir saying: good job!!
I've seen a fair deal of snagging going on in the rivers of the Northwest, especially on the Washington side. This early October we wanted to fish the Kalama for some silvers up at the deadline, but the river was just so stuffed with spawning tulees (real dark, lower Columbia chinook) that we really couldn't fish for anything. We fished a bit with our fly rods anyway and I was puzzeled about the number of people fishing there, what were they fishing for??? Well, quickly it turned out that they all were snagging happily along for those dark fish and the (rather friendly) guy next to me was hooking one after another (everywhere but in the mouth) and then handing his heavy rod to his 10-12 year son letting him play the fish, while taking pictures... great sport!!! This just went on and on, and after ½ hour we left feeling quite frustrated. When I asked these people why they were doing what they did, everybody just replied: "There may be some biters in there". However, I have not seen people keeping these darkies, only snagged bright silvers. The first time I ever fished for Coho it was in the beginners hole on the Kalama, early on the season with lots of bright, fresh fish. I fish with a heavy fly on a sink tip and eventually I hook a nice fish, that just rips around in the hole. I use my usual 6 lbs leader and can't apply too much pressure and while the fish is ways upstream the guy next to me start casting his line across mine and an older guy seay: Hey Bob watch out a bit, and Bob replies: Oh, he foulhooked that da.... fish anyway!!! When I fanally manage to get it in everybody, including this Bob see that the fly is way in its mouth, but that just tells you about the way many people think out there.
I must also add that we don't really ever have people snagging fish here, not only because of moral, but also due to turbid water and much fewer fish. One factor may also be that being a member of a club, give people a sense of ownership and thus responsibility for their particular river and the fish in it. Maybe something You should consider in the future??
I attach a photo of that Kalama silver (year 2000)

GD
http://www.ifish.net/uploads/423813320.jpg

[Ken Drifter]

Way to go on the photos and calling them in, snaggers are becoming worse and worse. Its a shame..

[Wally02]

Thanks Rogue I hope these snaggers get theirs.

[GutshotApe]

Great Dane - Snagging is a manifestation of "The tragedy of the commons". Privatization of resources definitely would increase stewardship and responsible use - but in this country, we like to think the fish & wildlife are owned by the public and do not belong only to those who can afford to pay for a place to fish or hunt. Obviously, our system requires that most people obey the laws most of the time. Sometimes it seems like that basic civic contract is forgotten by too many :depressed: .

[Joe]

There has been an epidemic of these guys since it rained enough to bring the dark ones up to spawn. graemlins/stupid.gif

Just not enough OSP to go around this time of year.

Rogue,
Good luck with the Tillamook County boys. :depressed: I could not even get one to file a report when my wifes car was broken into and her purse stolen. :whazzup: They don't rate very high with me!

[Straydog]

"Heroes are not giant statues framed againt a red sky.

They are people who say:
This is my community,
and it's my responsibility to make it better."

Tom McCall

You are a hero TR. :wink:

[ 11-17-2002, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

[tomtom]

What is the tip number?

[poshie]

:mad:
Check out this thread on PP....should be the SolDuc hatchery. The river was still closed. And once again a child is in the picture. Such role models.
You got to scroll all the way through it!

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010864

These camera situations could be a little risky
for the photographer.

[fishpatrol]

Good job!

Here is another picture of a fish that I found with two "housing impaired" subjects. They were running down the river bar with this 35+ between them. They were called in by a citizen. Thats how the majority of good cases are made- with public involvement. Make a difference- make the call. http://ifish.net/uploads/160310321.jpg

[garyk]

Good job, Rogue! Thanks for stepping up.

These guys are killing the future. They should be dealt with just as if they were vandalizing a hatchery - which in essence they are.

[Nuttinbutnet]

The real problem appears to be that the bad guys are not afraid of the good guys. Maybe the penalties are not high enough. If caught and convicted, take everything used to obtain the illegal game. Rods, reels, boats, trailers, tow rigs, everything!! Big auction once a year on all the confiscated stuff. Give the money to stream enhancement projects and to the hatcheries.