Think the satisfaction of doing the right thing isn’t motivation enough to turn in poachers? This fly fishing guide – in an email to the Underground – didn’t:
“I am tired of this crap on our rivers and I am offering 2 free guide days to whoever turns in the most poachers during the 2009 trout season. Police reports or newspaper arrest records will suffice for evidence. You have your choice of fishing venues Trinity, Fall River, Pit, Klamath, Lower Sacramento. I will supply flies and lunch.”
“This is a serious offer. Hopefully it will motivate anglers to act rather than ignore this growing problem.”
Any takers?
See you on the river (license in hand), Tom Chandler.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
This is awesome. On the East Coast saltwater scene, poachers are the despicable underbelly undercutting the striped bass population. Maybe someone will follow suit here.
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Man I most live in a hole, I really did not think their was much of a poaching problem on the rivers. I hope your efforts work, and I think it is great to see others get involved.
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Good Luck with this. The CDFG is so understaffed, they can’t seem to respond when you phone in a Cal Tip. I have phoned in Elk poachers, illegal gill nets, and the like without response. The answer given to me by the local wardens has been to call them directly, if possible. Our local warden cover Yreka to Orleans. Response time, if there are no delays, is 2.5 hours minimum. Cross jurisdictional response, if coordinated, might help, but is also problematic.
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Little secret to get a VERY FAST responce…when talking to the dispatcher, simply say, “no need to hurry I am holding all suspects at gun point, and if they get testee I will simly leave their carcus here on the road”.
Someone will be there quickly.
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OK, so lets create a new category of licensed guide: licensed, bonded, insured, and deputized. !! I already carry, but mentally am only prepared to respond to someone poaching me.
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I’m like JR, I didn’t realize there was a poaching problem with fishing. How are they doing it? I understand poaching big game in Africa (I follow an awesome blog by some rangers who stop poachers http://www.maratriangle.org) but not really fishing. Would love to be directed to some resources on this as I’m not a fan of poaching. I don’t even like poached eggs.
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Absolutely Brilliant. I look forward to seeing the police blotter and the results of the “contest.”
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