lets heat up the steelhead issue !

[BOWHUNTER45]

O.K I have to give the conclusion to my sons steelhead fishing issues this year ...Some know what I am talking about and some may not ...All I want to say is pay close attention to the rules on the river you are fishing when it comes to native steelhead and if you know the rules and are not obeying them and posting pictures on the internet your inviting some unwanted company coming to your house to address the issue ..After having our house searched over my son posting pictures of steelhead he caught on facebook this year and having another little get together tonight my son got a ticket for holding a native steelhead out of the water  Actually they had pictures of him holding a couple out of the water but they did not want to stack a bunch of tickets on him So they let him off by giving him one ticket instead of 3 tickets because if they would have he would of lost his fishing license ...that would of been sweet for a 16 yr old now would not it be  No.. we are not whinning and you all know BH45 is not afraid to speak his mind or do I hide from anything ...they told us tonight that there is not many rivers left in Washington where you can handle a native steelhead out of the water and fishermen need to read the rules and follow them or you will be cited for it ...I just wanted to inform the ones that may think they are just messing around because they are not ... at this point I see no point in us ever fishing steelhead again in a river that runs threw our back yard ,, Let the tribes rule the roost or totally shut it down for good ! Luckily in my time I have seen the good old days of steelhead fishing and have caught my share of 18 to 20 pounders but unfortunately for my kids those days are gone ... So ted gets to go to bed tonight with 2 bad makes on his chest ...one not signing his duck stamps and another holding a wild steelhead out of the water ....Laws are Laws So try and obey them !!!! Just something for everyone to be aware of !!!!

[wildweeds]

The  reason there are hatchery and native designations are a direct reflection of poor management practices by the outfit that gives out the tickets.................. just sayin.

[h20hunter]

Not exactly the post i aniticipated. Glad he didnt get more....sounds a few were hoisted. I think your advice is goid advice when it comes to them not messing around.

[BOWHUNTER45]

The  reason there are hatchery and native designations are a direct reflection of poor management practices by the outfit that gives out the tickets.................. just sayin.

NO... That does not work ...I tried that ...

[Curly]

I'm sorry to hear that he got those tickets.  Too bad the warden in each of those tickets didn't let him off with written warnings. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

ALL...and I did ask them if they were searching the internet for all the fishermen who are holding nates out of the water ....the reaction was yes , we have a few to address 

[snowpack]

ALL...and I did ask them if they were searching the internet for all the fishermen who are holding nates out of the water ....the reaction was yes , we have a few to address 

What about non-fisherman?  Like their bios holding up wild steelhead and wild chinook for newpaper photos over on the Elwha.....   

[xd2005]

I'm sorry to hear that he got those tickets.  Too bad the warden in each of those tickets didn't let him off with written warnings.

Stirring the pot I know, but he got off with two warnings, one ticket. Not too bad. We complain when WDFW doesn't catch poachers and others that break the law...until it's someone we know, then it's "unfortunate." 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I'm sorry to hear that he got those tickets.  Too bad the warden in each of those tickets didn't let him off with written warnings.

Stirring the pot I know, but he got off with two warnings, one ticket. Not too bad. We complain when WDFW doesn't catch poachers and others that break the law...until it's someone we know, then it's "unfortunate." 

Like I said not whinning , just informing ! just sounds So wrong when there is a net strung across a river killing everything that come by ...But hey it is the law so it is all good !

[wildweeds]

Bow

At a certain point in history the Nooksack was the #1 steelhead river in this state,I believe it was in the 50's,the mighty skagit also held the title in the60's- 70's? Where'd they go?

The  reason there are hatchery and native designations are a direct reflection of poor management practices by the outfit that gives out the tickets.................. just sayin.

NO... That does not work ...I tried that ...

[wildweeds]

Leave the camera shots off the net,brag about it and make em PROVE it with in the field sneakiness.........

ALL...and I did ask them if they were searching the internet for all the fishermen who are holding nates out of the water ....the reaction was yes , we have a few to address 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Leave the camera shots off the net,brag about it and make em PROVE it with in the field sneakiness.........

ALL...and I did ask them if they were searching the internet for all the fishermen who are holding nates out of the water ....the reaction was yes , we have a few to address 

A guy needs to watch the back drop 

[TONTO]

 Maybee he just needs to work on his fish posing. A stratigic thumb conspicuously placed in front of said fin = no more fin in the pic = post away. Just keep hands away from gills and double check that he's not being watched. Or ummm just leave it in the water.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Thanks for the post.  It's unfortunate that your son was made an example, and to this extreme.  I'm amazed at the time, money spent to investigate this.  Yet I'm also glad that we do have these rules and enforcement. This rule that your son broke, will help a few nates survive, but most won't make it past the tribal nets.  At this point in wildlife management in WA, I don't know how the species will survive, with the dueling managements competing for the dollar.  I'm mostly a barbless hook, c&r guy, do to the regs these days.  Gosh I love tying into a Nate with the 8wt.....

[snowpack]

Maybee he just needs to work on his fish posing. A stratigic thumb conspicuously placed in front of said fin = no more fin in the pic = post away. Just keep hands away from gills and double check that he's not being watched. Or ummm just leave it in the water.

This law applies to hatchery fish too.  I don't know too many people that release hatch brats, but if it comes out of the water it is supposed to be kept.