The good the bad and the ugly!

Otter · Senior Member

The good the bad and the ugly!

hawkeye · Member

Right now, this is as big or bigger problem than the sediment issue and limited spawning habitat.

I'll admit, he's good with a camera -- I'm not sure how the heck he kept the orange tape and signage out of the photo....

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=556884794339392&set=a.112729025421640.13512.111571142204095&type=1&relevant_count=1

lightfoot · Senior Member

Any ethic issues with Fish and Game that are associated with an individuals ability to be a fishing guide?

I spent an hour or so looking around their site but couldn't find much.

btw that guide had very similar issues on Putah back in the early 90's. It's amazing what a person sees others (guide) doing when being clandestine.

-- Edited by lightfoot on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 11:36:06 AM

Bob Loblaw · Senior Member

That's a friggin disgrace.

-- Edited by Bob Loblaw on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 05:05:03 PM

hawkeye · Member

Seriously? That fly shop is still at it?

That picture is appalling. Right off the redd.

georgek · Veteran Member

AFFC has another picture at the top of their report of a recent putah trip. I no longer go to AFFC because of this. Two straight years they showed me pictures (in the shop) of spawning fish caught on Putah, and then tried to talk me into getting guided based on the pictures.

Black Cloud · Senior Member

I left a comment, we will see how long it last. If I'm there and see someone fishing the redds, I will cast across their line, then call DFG. You have to shame them in front of their clients.

Share that photo on Facebook, then they can't delete the post. Share it back to Pinto.

-- Edited by Black Cloud on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 07:44:05 PM

-- Edited by Black Cloud on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 07:52:23 PM

Berryessie · Senior Member

On one hand I know how hard it is as a guide to not book trips when you get the call. On the other hand there are several other options. In the long run it is our job to not abuse the resource. I have have had to pass on several trips on Putah lately but every sport I talked to totally understands.

For a guide to teach a sport to catch spawning fish is down right dirty. Anyone who goes into an area with posted signs and roped off areas says that ethics mean nothing to them.

The hard work that you guys put in to improve the fishery will always have its challenges. I wish our focus could stay on the environmental factors facing the creek but clearly more must be done so the spawning fish can bread in peace. For a long time my positive outlook on the fishing community has made me feel that we could all come together and agree on this repeating issue. It is with a saddened heart that I am now in support of a creek closure December/January. This would be very unpopular with a lot of anglers but the bad apples have spoiled this bunch.

-- Edited by Berryessie on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 08:20:03 PM

-- Edited by Berryessie on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 08:23:50 PM

-- Edited by Berryessie on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 08:47:31 PM

Otter · Senior Member

For a very long time I honestly have been against a closure during spawning season. After seeing that big 25" fish floating down the creek nearly dead and soon to be dead I have to agree with a closure. Signs have been posted and people are still fishing all over the spawners. As a minimum the creek should be closed during December and January at major spawning areas as has been done on the King's River. In the meantime if you in the area of the creek take some time to get out there and educate all why you shouldn't be targeting the spawners. The fish are stressed, catching one and fighting one can easily kill the fish. Stress that it take three to six years to reach spawning size. A glory shot for you means the death of many generations of beautiful wild fish.

-- Edited by Otter on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 09:09:26 PM

Sammy · Member

same spot. on the guides personal page. Different client

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3806197485096&set=pb.1582194839.-2207520000.1357108681&type=3&theater

putah dumbass.jpg

-- Edited by Sammy on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 10:39:27 PM

Cole Davis · Senior Member

How come all the good fly shops are closed for good and these worthless pieces get to stay in business?? doh

browndude3649 · Veteran Member

I wonder if fish n game have game(guide) cameras on that spot for documentation?

SK60 · Senior Member

Cameras? Maybe, maybe not....

Be careful in what you say and how you say it regarding this subject of spawner targeting. Don't want Keith to have to take the posts down.

ONEWEIGHT · Senior Member

It's nice to know that so many of us volunteered our time removing sediment from that site and prepped the spawning habitat so it would improve the guide's catch rate here?

Bob

lightfoot · Senior Member

I left a message on their facebook page...seems to have been promptly deleted and I joined the band.

Sammy · Member

Yeah I figured since there are no comments, that they've been deleting them. Just means they know what they're doing wrong.

Bob Loblaw · Senior Member

My comment lasted about 15 minutes.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

I commented on that photo as well. Is this the site at #3?

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Well the pic has been removed from Facebook. Still doesn't mean I won't stop looking out for him fishing the redds.

Berryessie · Senior Member

The link on this thread still works. There are some pretty awesome comments.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Yeah I was the last to comment. I couldn't see the pic before. I thought he might have blocked me.

prettyfly · Veteran Member

One: I can't post what I have to say about AFFC because then Keith would have to remove it.

Two: I am really encouraged to see that there are SO many of us who feel the same way about this issue.

Three: I TOTALLY support a closure of the creek to fishing during the spawning season even though that makes it harder to go fishing nearby.

Rock on.

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

If the creek gets closed in the winter it would stop most of the problems. You all know wether you admit it or not the creek needs to be closed during the spawn. This abuse of our fishery is absolutely disgusting. I personally don't fish the creek from dec-feb, and that's a personal choice I made because I found it to be more of a hassle to fish during the spawn. Who wants to fish somewhere where you have to walk on tip toes and check every stretch of water to make sure there are no fish spawning in the area just to make a cast. Give the fish a break. Every sport has an off season, why can't our Putah rainbows. - Nic

Bob Loblaw · Senior Member

I agree. A winter closure will mean much better fishing the rest of the year... And the Yuba isn't that far away if you absolutely have to fish.

hawkeye · Member

Dec-Mar are prime steelhead months in our half of the state; coastal rivers are prime right now after the storms. If you want trout, there are a number of wild trout fisheries open that do not have winter spawning rainbows, some of which have already been mentioned. I find it very hard to feel limited by the waters available to me to fish at any time of the year in California.

Birddog · Member

I agree with the majority....close Putah for the winter and let those spawners replenish for a healthier fishery. As mentioned, with the choices we have of open winter waters and due to the size of Putah (3.5 miles of fishable water), the creek needs a recovery/rest period.

But, this "down time" may open up more opportunity for the unethicals/poachers. I don't fish Putah from early November through late March mainly because I don't want to pressure any of the spawners. Over the years I've observed that the spawners will change location to do their thing and don't want to interfere.

Tim

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I made the decision last season to lay low during the spawn and had some people tell me that I should continue to guide so I could educate my clients about the spawners in Putah. But I figured I can still educate people who call me for a trip to the creekand then send them to fish elsewhere which btw i did about 2 hrs ago. The only time i will take people to the creek this time of year is if they are begginers and just want to do a class. I am 100 percent behind a spawn closure of the creek. Its funny but we had this same discussion the same time of year exactly a year ago and I called the manager at the guilty shopand told him how I and many others felt about the guiding for spawners issue. He agreed entirely with what I was saying but looks like the same old s--t goes on.......all in the name of making a buck! Shamefull

Cole Davis · Senior Member

If I'm not mistaken the lady who OWNS the shop is the one holding the putah fish from the exact same redd site on the top of their fishing reports link on their website. No need to put any more pictures up...if your curious you can find it.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Drifter- That pic is really sad. That female is just unloading those eggs. That redd is up near the bridge.

Kype- Those fisherman know exactly what the fish are doing. They just play ignorant. Signs or no signs it's really obvious what the fish are doing. Trying to catch fish at your feet and not know, get real bud!!

-- Edited by Rossflyguy on Thursday 3rd of January 2013 11:45:19 AM

Cole Davis · Senior Member

Yep Cliff, That's the one. I recognize her picture from another guides website. Her name is Stephanie Eblen, owner of American fly fishing Co. I need a shower.

-- Edited by Cole Davis on Thursday 3rd of January 2013 11:55:22 AM