If anyone is on Instagram check out #putahcreek and look at the guy holding a big female with it looks like eggs coming out of her. It looks like he pulled it out of the deer sign redd.

Stopped by yesterday to watch the spawners do their thing at the redds on 3 and as I pull up my heart sinks as I see someone wading directly through the gravel bed and sight fishing for fish at his feet. I walk up and immediately let him know what he's doing and that it's no coincidence that there are monsters swimming around his feet and tape everywhere. He understands and leaves but points out that there are no signs. Clearly they've been stolen again as they were there a few days ago. I spent the better part of that afternoon kindly diverting 3 other fisherman away from the redds and each one asked where the signs were and where they should fish instead. I think that more signage would help especially on the trails leading up to the redds as two of them came from downstream and probably blew by the signs on there way down the trail from the parking lot. Also informed a couple who were fishing spin gear at the calmer redd above casting directly over the sign and thought the sign meant they weren't allowed to wade but could still fish. After seeing all this I head to a third redd only to find the same thing, big spinning gear from someone at the resort. I kindly let him know what he's doing and he says that because there were no signs that he was going to continue fishing. I watch as he takes a few more casts before he gives up as I search for any form of cell service. I understand that adding excessive signage and tape will attract poachers but I really believe the number of unknowing fisherman far outweighs that. When stumbling upon a pool full of huge fish and minimal signage I think it is just too tempting for them and that maybe it would be more glaringly obvious they are in the wrong if it's more obvious to them and anyone else around.

Is this the pic Cole?

I agree close the creek.. For most of last year I've been writing "CLOSE THE CREEK FOR THE SPAWN" on the comments section on my putah creek angler surveys in hopes it's read by the right people. I suggest you all do the same as well as stay on the creek as we're doin and RE-educate the clueless and pressure the careless. THere are people who actually have no clue and do care. Unfortunately most of the people hacking up the spawners dont like to work hard for their catches, always looking for the easy catch, it really sucks but until we get a closure it's reality.
CLOSE THE CREEK DEC-FEB.

What's sad is that there are fish already in post spawn or not spawning that can be caught. They are in all the normal spots that would hold fish for this time of year. I'm really irritated that there are people who can ruin the whole thing by fishing for spawning trout. I too want a closure now.

I'm in the closure camp, this action by the guide should be a tipping point.Mid Nov thru Jan would be short enough.

I'd be happy to help.

I'd help.

I'll help

First thing we need to do is collect every photo we can find of people posing with spawners caught at the creek.  Unfortunately the picture of the guy with the big hen spilling eggs has been taken down.  Anyone get a screen shot of that?  LAst year there was a video of a guy holding a fish with milt running down his hand...anyone have a copy of that?

If we can show DFW clear examples of breeding fish being caught off redds it will help our case.

OK: now we have a new concern (and I am not making this up). Two young idiots apparently decided that the spawning fish were perfect targets for a hand catching operation. So they stripped to their boxers and waded into the redd area where the fish were already horribly harrassed and tripped an infrared camera several times while tromping the redds. Today that area was almost devoid of fish, and those present were pretty skittish. Who knows what the redds suffered.

At the same spot we heard a voice say "well that was a waste of an hour" before two fishermen appeared from downstream. One of them had a large fish on for one hour before it broke off when brought to net. Neither fisherman was aware that the fish was a spawner, as they respected the signs asking them not to fish the redds behind the tape. It was hooked 25' below the redds in the deeper holding water. He was mortified when I told him that although the fish swam off, he had put it at great risk of death by fighting it for 1 hour. Two more unaware and well meaning nimrods were educated today, but the lesson had a high cost for that fish.

A reminder: it is a crime to threaten or harrass fisherman who are not fishing illegally (unfortunately, fishing immorally is not a defense if accused of harrassment). We have always said to educate by telling the story of why its important to leave the spawners alone and leave it at that.

PCT appreciates the desire to develop a closure reg. Be aware that opposition can come from both expected and unexpected sources. As I told Berryessie, you have to tell a story that justifies the closure. That eventually becomes a science based presentation to the Commission: "data shows that the closure should lead to measurable benefit to the fishery because...." You are making a commitment that you should approach with eyes wide open that a lot of work lies ahead. Support will come from a number of sources that you will identify and contact-I've already given Berryessie a number of suggestions. Do it right and you are likely to succeed.

-- Edited by SK60 on Friday 4th of January 2013 06:49:57 PM

-- Edited by SK60 on Friday 4th of January 2013 06:52:11 PM

I don't see any reason why they shouldn't close the creek for spawning season. It's unbelievable that people would go in and hand catch these fish, not to mention illegal. Maybe you should put up the info needed to help get the closure so many people can do what they can and get this going ASAP.

Stream survey done today......

Talked with some people in the parking lot below the bridge about the habitat work, spawning fish etc etc.  Went down to the creek and did the survey for that area and had said individueals come down and fish just above the worked gravel.  By the time I had left they were sight fishing the redds.  At times, talking with people seems to be a wasted effort.

I did talk with two others that were fishing in that area and had a favorable response.

An intersting note, I consider myself pretty sneaky when it comes to finding fish and getting close to them.  Had one swim between my legs today :) .  With that said, the fish seem really really spooky.  Shawns hole was extreamly so.

You mean this guy? Shame shame.