It can happen to the best of us.

[Big D]

From Dave Graybill's web site:
Monday, February 22, 2010  
By Dave Graybill

I made a big mistake while fishing on the Methow River recently. My fishing buddy ***** had landed a nice wild steelhead and I told him to hold it up for a photo. Just taking orders, ***** held it up briefly and I snapped a shot. This was a mistake. A wild steelhead should never be removed from the water and we both know this. I got ***** to do it and I need to apologize to him, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and readers who saw the photo in local newspapers and on my web site. I want to let readers who noticed this infraction of the fishing rules that both ***** and I have been contacted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and appropriate action has been taken. This was really stupid on my part. I spend enough time telling people about the rules of fishing that I not only should know the rules, but even more important should abide by them. The fact that we have the privilege of fishing our local rivers for steelhead depends on the good conduct of anglers. I fully recognize that what I did is contrary to that good conduct.

On a personal note,
I have met and chatted with Dave several times in the last couple of years and have always found him to be a consummate sportsman. He truly cares for our environment and the wildlife contained therein. Dave has an easy and welcoming manner and is always willing to share a tip or two about the lakes and rivers he has fished.

Dave,
I hope that the “appropriate action” taken by WDFW wasn’t too harsh and that you will soon recover from this minor slip-up.
I look forward to our next meeting.

 

[Ripper]

  Dave, from experience I can tell you that it does happen to all of us sportsman at some time. I believe that it is our passion and respect for our wild game that sometimes we get caught up in the moment. We make mistakes, but learn from them and move on. Hopefully the law wasn't too harsh on you, I'm sure they are familiar with you and realize you're not a bad guy. Take care      Mark

[Shootmoore]

Good for him to man up about taking the responsibility.

On a side note I imagine that unclipped hatchery fish survived just fine.   

Shootmoore

[snocohunter]

I understand that it's the law, but I know for a fact i've seen guys on pretty popular local fishing series lift native fish clear out of the water many, many times. On camera! Is fish and wildlife giving them a hard time? I personally don't see an issue with it as long as a guy takes proper care and handles the fish carefully.

[carpsniperg2]

yes it can happen in the heat of the moment to anyone glad the right things have been done on both sides

[ribka]

You are a stand-up guy.

3 years ago I held a native steelhead up in Alaska for a quick pic out-of-the water. I know better now

[Antlershed]

You are a stand-up guy.

3 years ago I held a native steelhead up in Alaska for a quick pic out-of-the water. I know better now

Yeah, but did you post the picture online for the world to see you doing something illegal?

[fishnate]

About half of the ad present steelhead in the area are unclipped hatchery fish anyways.

[Antlershed]

I'm not arguing whether it is a good law or not. I'm just simply stating that posting yourself doing something illegal on the internet nowadays isn't too bright... 

[fishnate]

I'm not arguing whether it is a good law or not. I'm just simply stating that posting yourself doing something illegal on the internet nowadays isn't too bright... 

 

[Tealer]

I really don't like seeing Native fish out of the water. They are having a hard enough time and our seasons are somewhat based on their survival.

[shoot-em-dead]

I really don't like seeing Native fish out of the water. They are having a hard enough time and our seasons are somewhat based on their survival.

That is a ridiculous law and whoever made it has somehow got you thinking that it will kill the fish. How if you go take a few tests. First- go buy some live fish and take them out of the water for ten times longer than it takes to get a picture. So that would be what- 5 seconds for a pic so 50 seconds out of the water. Then release them and tell me how fast they die. Second test- go put your head under water for a while.

[Tealer]

I really don't like seeing Native fish out of the water. They are having a hard enough time and our seasons are somewhat based on their survival.

That is a ridiculous law and whoever made it has somehow got you thinking that it will kill the fish. How if you go take a few tests. First- go buy some live fish and take them out of the water for ten times longer than it takes to get a picture. So that would be what- 5 seconds for a pic so 50 seconds out of the water. Then release them and tell me how fast they die. Second test- go put your head under water for a while.

Here is the thing, I have seen fish killed from poor handling. On more then one occasion. Do they all die, no, but why take the chance. Is a pic really that important? I have seen people put both hands under the gill plates, I have also seen guys let natives flop around in there drift boats while they found a camera. Take pics of them in the water if you must, no need to handle them.

[jackelope]

10% of fish that are caught and released die after they are released whether they come out of the water or not....most yo-yo's will jam their fingers into the fish's gills for hero shots...dead fish...they're not largemouth bass, people!!

good law and so is the knotless net law.

[ribka]

I like the fact he posted his mistake. A lot of guys new to steelhead fishing really don't know it is illegal to remove a native from the water. I encounter guys doing this on the Methow and Grand Ronde Rivers every year taking natives out-of-the water. I always, in a friendly manner inform them of teh handling requirements. Most guys say they did not know the law.

Fingers in the gills always make me cringe