Enforcement Question

new boat · 06-26-2002, 05:52 PM

Up fishing for Hali out of Sequim last weekend. Had three boats in our group, mine, a 23 foot Sled, a 28ft Proline and a 24 ft Bayliner Sierra. Had run out to the Hein bank which is near the US Canada border on the way to Victoria, beautiful water Friday, but no Hali. On the way in, with all three boats running together, we (the jet sled) was stopped by WSDFW officers, You know, the kind with the guns on their hips. They proceeded to has where we had been and how the fishing had been. They then asked to see our licenses, of which we showed and went on our way. Our questions is this, since they could not have seen us actually fish and we had no catch, were we required to show our licenses or should we have told them to just go "pound sand" By the way, they never gave the other two boats a second look even thought they stood off and waited. Any advice.

Deepslayer · 06-26-2002, 06:34 PM

You were on the water in a fishing boat. They have a right to stop you. It's just like when the IRS does random audits :shocked: - they don't audit everyone. It's always easier to co-operate. :smile: Just take a deep breath and say oh well!

,Ed

Pitch Pocket · 06-27-2002, 08:00 AM

Is it ever a good idea to tell someone with a gun to "pound sand"? I don't think so.

Cops can get real beligerent and make your life difficult so it's best to be respectful and answer all questions truthfully. It's a good idea to never offer unsolicited information, just answer their questions.

DK · 06-27-2002, 08:41 AM

if you really want to go this route, maybe ask them who was fishing, just because every looks like you've been fishing is not always the case, kinda like the car pool lane been pulled over many times because the extra cab has tinted windows and you can't see in the back seat even though my 6 year old is there, once they see two people in the truck they say sorry and send me on my way no reason for further detainment, i think they should ask if any one was fishing and procede from there if they never actually saw you fishing?

Beer Waggin · 06-27-2002, 10:44 AM

We ***** when they're not around, and we ***** they are around. They're never around when you need one, but hey, they're just doing their jobs. They probably saw three boats coming, rock/paper/scissor, Thunder Jet it is. Bet you would have been thankful to see them if you were sinking and no one else was around.....
Their job is to protect and serve. Protect people, fish, birds, etc, etc.
Doesn't sound like they were rude to you, just sounds like a routine "Howdy Boys."
Maybe they were going fishing the next day and wanted a good report?
Maybe they thought you were hauling the Taliban in from Canada?
Their excuses for stopping you are endless. They can and they will, at their leisure. Most of these Uniforms on the water love it as much as you and I. Heck, I couldn't think of a better way to spend my weekend to work. Cruising around on a flat ocean in the sunshine would be a great day at work for any of us.