This is what can happen when you fish for spawners

SK60 · Senior Member

This is what can happen when you fish for spawners

iamamultitasker · Senior Member

Steve,

That is just terrible. IMO, however, the result is far more prevalent in general than many people think. I see a lot of fishermen that play their catch way too long putting too little pressure on the bigger fish. In this case someone's killing off the hope of better fishing days in the future just for a little chest thumping or maybe a hero pic.

I talked to a fish biologist who was researching shad on the west coast and he told me that even if you do everything right, you have an 80% chance of the fish living which is really disappointing. If they go belly up at all they are probably dead meat in a few hours. Fishing for spawners is just a poor investment of your fishing time.

Thanks for posting the pics.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Fishing for spawners is the easy way out. Chances are they got snagged with 6x and let it tire himself out. Which the spawners don't fight hard in the first place. Awesome "trophy" catch.

Berryessie · Senior Member

This hurts my heart

Ty · Senior Member

I think you are unfortunately preaching to the choir. Most people here on the board are genuinely wanting to learn how to fish Putah and do it ethically. I'm sure there are a lot of guys who only fish Putah in the winter just for the spawn. Even with a winter closure, there will still be poachers out there unless the creek was heavily patrolled.

-Taylor

Clayton · Member

After reading and clicking the topic I thought I was going to see pictures of a poachers car set on fire or something.
But damn those are some heartbreaking photos. When will people learn...

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

This is why the creek should only be open during general trout season.... Just sayin.

- Nic

mudhen · Senior Member

There is a guy who wears camo neoprene waders who I have found fishing the redds twice now. I asked him to not fish there but he got mean and well, he was a lot bigger than me so I backed off. Drives a big black truck.

GiordanD · Newbie

Such a same to see a beautiful fish be punished like that..the creek should be off limits during spawn season..is it really that hard to wait?

unknown · Newbie

Poachers car

paul · Veteran Member

Fly fishing for trout does not result in gill plate damage. Not like that. Stop this nonsense !!!

The creek is in great shape now. Don't let this idiot coheres you into supporting a winter closure. Im not sure what his motives are but I doubt they are honest here on this site.

Taking pics of a couple of dead bows on the bank of a river somewhere is proof of nothing.

You deal with poachers. You do not close fishing grounds to combat their shenanigans.

Please don't be sucked in by this jerk.

I have a feeling that if he has his way the creek would closed for good to all.

Thank you.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Sounds like you fish spawners. Don't be mad cause most fisherman here are ok with winter closer. In fact all fly shops around the area are for closing the creek during their spawn. No one is "tricking" anyone about fish dying do to uneducated fisherman. It's called educating yourself. Because you think it's ok to snag fish off redds doesn't mean it's right. Go spit that nonsense at a big 5 or sportmart. No need for name calling guy.

lightfoot · Senior Member

The creek is in great shape now

Yuppers, nothing but routine to head up to Putah and land 30+ fish in a day with a couple over 20" on every trip. evileye

rgloft · Senior Member

I was the guy talking to the new fisherman who was fishing right above the reds not knowing any better , I just started talking to him explaining how its better to wait until march or before dec and stay off the reds while wading , he then said he had been fishing on the reds and say 2 dead fish over by the tree , so i went on to explain how and why this happens at that point he said that he had no idea he was or had been doing anything wrong , I just explained he could join PCT , and meet others and learn all about how the creek works and make new friends and learn a ton from a group of ethecial FF men . around that time steve wlked up and I introduced my new friend to steve and who he was , after a few steve and I walked over and took those pics . I wonder if the new guy joined PCT I hope so , to the guy saying theres no proof ??? Really ?? no they just rooled over and died > I want to be rude to you Paul but it only hurts our cause , please ed yourself and helps us restore this creek and the fish that call it home. trout are very delicate fish that can and do die from many issues not least of wich is being over play during the spawn

SK60 · Senior Member

Paul: don't worry, DFW is not going to close your Creek, unless enough spawning fish are killed to threaten the health of the fishery. But its pretty obvious you don't care about the fishery, so go do your thing and we'll do ours.