Ugly People on a Beautiful River

Spot · 01-21-2001, 08:37 PM

What a beautiful day for fishing. A light rain was falling, the river was up and you every now and then you'd see fish roll in the back eddies. I had what's normally a popular hole alone for most of the morning. Somewhere around noon a group of 9 people pulled up whooping and hollering and drinking good Vodka so I decided to take my leave hike a couple of miles of good riffles, pockets and holes. Life was good. I was making my way to yet another stretch of water when I passed a guy with his limit. One beautiful 8lb chromer and one nasty old boot. We talked for a moment and as he started away, I noticed that both of his fish had all their fins in tact. What an A-hole! I've caught several fish on that river this year, all natives, and I'm very careful to make sure they're released unharmed. As confrontation in the woods without witnesses or a sidearm is foolhardy at best I just grumbled to myself and tried to forget. I couldn't. I was ******, both at him and myself. My day of fishing continued but the shine was definitely gone. Later, on my way home, I thought I'd take that proverbial one last cast in the hole I'd been fishing in the morning. When I got there, I found it freshly littered with beer cans, bait containers, paper and misc. other discarded items. I repeat, what A-holes! What is wrong with these people? Anyway, so much for a beautiful day of fishing.

4u2fish · 01-21-2001, 08:53 PM

We should get a group of us to get deputised for a day and go out and remove these individuals liscenses (indefinately) hey fish cop is that something that we could do??

People alway do things they wouldn't normally do when they think the "man" is not watching.. I would love to see the face of the guy you have been fishing next to when you inform him that the fish he just wacked was illegal and he will have to forfiet his fishing liscense imediately.... That would put the sun back in your day aye spot??

BTW? is this the hole you got that 12#'er outa 3 weeks ago?? Where we saw the salmon spawning?? Did those drunks walk on the spawn bed??

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AKC H2O-K9

Fishhead · 01-21-2001, 10:05 PM

Spot, you didnt mention what river that was on. I posted the same kind of thing the other day about the Clack ie...(Clackamas River Slobs) These guys need to be dealt with!!! I think a possy isnt to far off. Hanging is to good for em'!! Whats with these jerks are they just plain stupid or ignorant? Its guys like us that need to come in nine at a time and kick some -ss. Well any way something needs to be done! .....My 2 pennies worth......Fishhead

Spot · 01-22-2001, 08:02 AM

Yes Chris (4u2fish) it was. And in order to fit 9 people on the little bend, some of them had to be standing in the redds. Thanks for pxssing me off even more!

As for where it's at, I don't think that's too important. Lets just say it's one of those north coast streams that doesn't empty into a major bay.
You know guys, the whole posse thing's kinda scarey. I've seen the same mentality with surfing in oregon and what starts out as a noble idea to keep something safe and protected soon evolves into a violent grab for ownership. Optimally, people would show respect for the river and the fisheries (yeah right). Barring that, knowing that there would be a consequence to these kinds of actions would be helpfull. Unfortunately, everybody knows that you can keep a tail-hooked native that was yarded off its' red, which by the way we just took a leak on and dropped our beer can in and not face any reprisal.
How about this, Oregon Salmon tags in the form of a Number that must be displayed when on the river (much like a car license). Snagging? No problems, there's a number you call in to the fish cops. Littering or fishing after your limit? Same response. What do YOU think fish cop?

Hoosier Daddy · 01-22-2001, 08:12 AM

Ooh . I REALLY LIKE THAT IDEA!!!!!

You work it like a marathon. Guys get little plastic placards with a number on it (course it would have to be a LONG number!), and if you see them being A-holes, you can turn them in. Course none of our regulatory agencies have the budget to actually go after many of them, but what the hell. Might make them think about it.

Fishbulb · 01-22-2001, 02:01 PM

Report fish and wildlife violations!
Report fish and wildlife violations!

1-800-452-7888

Our OSP friends will never be able to catch them all without our backing and real involvement. Not BB involvement. Just about everone has a cell phone these days. Please we have got to prosecute these people.

Fishbulb · 01-22-2001, 02:05 PM

Our OSP guys/gals are out there making river rounds every day right now. If someone was to call and give a location I bet you would be astonish how fast a trooper could be at the lacation. Please make that call.

zipper · 01-22-2001, 02:17 PM

The last time I fished Three Rivers, I hauled out an old table cloth, 3 beer cans, 1 aerosol paint can, a pocket full of fishing line, a couple bait containers and some plastic bags... this is a problem that will not go away and will only get worse. I just throw a bigger trash bag in my truck and do what I can.

lippee · 01-22-2001, 02:58 PM

Spot
You and every one else might as well get use to it, every day we get more and more low life's on the river's. It's very sad.

Trout,myster · 01-22-2001, 05:00 PM

Spot, you need to carry some help with you. No...NOT that kind! Carry a small notepad in your pocket and a pen. About $1.89 worth at Bi-Mart. Jot down descriptions and/or license plate #s as you discretely head back to your rig. Keep the fishing violations number jotted down inside the front cover. When you get to your rig and a cell phone, or a phone wherever is closest, just dial for some help and this may thin out the "let's have a party and trash the hole" crowd. Also recommend you fish with a buddy whenever you can. Traveling alone anymore on the rivers is risky business. You never know who you'll meet!

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Troutmyster