Found Illegal Netting Method

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Let's say I was doing a lil investigation of one of the area rivers. OK, now that that's said, this leads to my question: What are the legal practices concerning tribal netting in:
1) State lands
2) Tribal lands

I don't know if it varies or not, but this is for the state of Washington. I came across a huge metal rod one side of the river and I noticed an empty gallon oil container floating in the water. I had noticed the oil container the day before, but not the rod. I came across a spot where the fish were just coming by like the Blue Angels in formation, then the next day I noticed this metal rod opposite to the oil container. Of course, no fish were coming by and it made me start to wonder. So I told a local man about what I had seen, and he informed me that what I had seen were nets. He said I could visibly see the net that well because it was full of fish which lowered the net. Now this brings me to my accusation of finding illegal netting activities (I think) because if it were a net, then it stretched the WHOLE WIDTH OF THE RIVER. I am going to take pics of it possibly tomorrow, but most definitely this weekend sometime. I am not going to say where it was at this time just for my own safety, but could someone please shed some light on this subject? Thanks, and I am sure the fish thank you as well.

[Jim]

Well lets see since you are not letting me know where you are...what you need to do is to contact your local WDFW office and get an enforcement officer...to the best of my knowledge there nets are not legally supposed to stretch more than a third of the way across the river, they can be stacked and staggered but not completely across. I reported two yesterday...one for throwing fish up in the brush and the other for selling to a non buyer....email me if you need any help.

runwildrivers@yahoo.com

Jim

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Thanks Jim, and good job. Explain what you meant by throwing them up in the brush. Were you fishing from a boat or from shore when you saw this activity? See I have heard that it could not stretch but so far, but clearly this one is the whole width of the river. It's pretty sad really. I will get pics of this activity first, before I call an official, that way it will help out his investigation and gathering of evidence. Ya see I like to drop in on tribal activities from time to time in various places. I will tell everyone what my investigation brings up with this one...probably gonna open a huge can of worms with this one, plus maybe help the cause against gillnetters. I will write your email address down for reference so you may get some emails from me time to time. Next question, how would you fish the Chehalis River in shallow or slow moving water from the banks? Thanks to all. Also, what do you mean by selling to a non-buyer? I can help to better the cause if I understand the laws better.

[This message has been edited by hey_yall (edited 10-06-2000).]

'Yall, thanks for your efforts and keep up the good work. Wish more would get after these things aggresively! I do suggest though that you call a fishery officer right away to get them to the sight before the net is gone. And if you can, go with a friend or 2 to take the pictures; quickly if possible. The friends are god to have along in case you run afoul of the "bad guys", and can help be wittnesses along with the pics. Let us, and other media, know if law enforcement is slow, or no , in getting to the scene of the illegal net. - BTW, Jim is a good guy to hwlp out in such fishing issue matters. Thanks Jim. - RT