08-16-2010, 07:21 PM
Sorry - I'm defensive by nature. I do appreciate the concern some of you anglers have for your protected fish, and honestly - I say good on ya. We have to police ourselves and one another. And the DWR can't be everywhere - usually nowhere nearby when you might need them.
But I'm still not sold on the notion that it is a crime to lift a Bull out of the water - and that I'd be subject to strip-search-and-seizure for doing so. I posted a pic earlier from the Idaho fishing rules - and it says "release BACK into the water" - to ME that would imply it had been brought OUT of the water ( I will try to check with the "officials". As mentioned I DID show a ranger our trophy photo - to no comment).
I know I'd seen something more specific on Sturgeon, and watched some (amazing) shows depicting targetting sturgeon (yes - targetting a protected fish species - specifically). Had to go back through the book, but attached is the sturgeon page - and it spells out specifically that "it is illegal to remove a sturgeon from the water". They even suggest you don't drag their heads out of water.
Now - if you think about it - and the fishes longevity - and sheer SIZE, making an effort to lift a 100-600 pound fish - good luck if you don't have a crane and strong gaff!!! Plus - these prehistoric beasts might endure a 3 hour fight before being landed - yeah they're gonna be out of "breath". (and so will the angler!)
Further - if you roll them on their back, they relax.
Looking back at my "double" photo, with the fish still in water - the one appears a tad squeezed - but only to hold it firmly enough to keep the fish from taking off prematurely before we'd had a chance to properly revive them. They were ANY thing but sitting still for photos!
Biggest "fight" might have been 3 minutes, with the fish in highly oxygenated cold water, there at the inlet. Released and BACK in the water within maybe 30 seconds.
I guess the problem I have, and the concern is in regards to the allegation (accusation even) made that the treatment of the fish caught caused violation of the law.
Therefore - in my defensive, paranoid state - one could take my photos and post as "evidence" of a crime, and turn us all in for prompt cavity searches.
Makes me concerned that a post could be misinterpreted, or misused, and leaves me reluctant to leave another post. So maybe I should take the post down, and remove the pictures (like you can do that on the internet. There is NO UNDO!).
But I had SO much positive response, and enthusiasm, even some folks inspired to go there BY my post. Get ya'll more tourist dollars, eh! Made me all warm-n-fuzzy to have contributed.
So I guess in closing - I appreciate the concern for protected species, and reasons for limits, and guidelines about handling. Also - what I'll take as well-meaning education efforts from forum members.
But please don't assert or suggest that laws were broken unless you KNOW it. As mentioned - I was there, and watched a lot of concerned anglers try very hard to treat the bulls well and see them back safely to their home at the inlet. Maybe you'll get a chance to go up and meet them in person!
Now if I had a picture of a Bull-Fillet dressed up on a bed of rice fresh out of the smoker - unspotted dorsal and all, garnished with fresh sturgeon caviar, well . . . that'd be a different story. Maybe some sea-turtle soup for an appetizer.
But I'll admit - I've been known to go 30mph in a 25mph zone. No photos to prove it though! FISHON!!!
But I'm still not sold on the notion that it is a crime to lift a Bull out of the water - and that I'd be subject to strip-search-and-seizure for doing so. I posted a pic earlier from the Idaho fishing rules - and it says "release BACK into the water" - to ME that would imply it had been brought OUT of the water ( I will try to check with the "officials". As mentioned I DID show a ranger our trophy photo - to no comment).
I know I'd seen something more specific on Sturgeon, and watched some (amazing) shows depicting targetting sturgeon (yes - targetting a protected fish species - specifically). Had to go back through the book, but attached is the sturgeon page - and it spells out specifically that "it is illegal to remove a sturgeon from the water". They even suggest you don't drag their heads out of water.
Now - if you think about it - and the fishes longevity - and sheer SIZE, making an effort to lift a 100-600 pound fish - good luck if you don't have a crane and strong gaff!!! Plus - these prehistoric beasts might endure a 3 hour fight before being landed - yeah they're gonna be out of "breath". (and so will the angler!)
Further - if you roll them on their back, they relax.
Looking back at my "double" photo, with the fish still in water - the one appears a tad squeezed - but only to hold it firmly enough to keep the fish from taking off prematurely before we'd had a chance to properly revive them. They were ANY thing but sitting still for photos!
Biggest "fight" might have been 3 minutes, with the fish in highly oxygenated cold water, there at the inlet. Released and BACK in the water within maybe 30 seconds.
I guess the problem I have, and the concern is in regards to the allegation (accusation even) made that the treatment of the fish caught caused violation of the law.
Therefore - in my defensive, paranoid state - one could take my photos and post as "evidence" of a crime, and turn us all in for prompt cavity searches.
Makes me concerned that a post could be misinterpreted, or misused, and leaves me reluctant to leave another post. So maybe I should take the post down, and remove the pictures (like you can do that on the internet. There is NO UNDO!).
But I had SO much positive response, and enthusiasm, even some folks inspired to go there BY my post. Get ya'll more tourist dollars, eh! Made me all warm-n-fuzzy to have contributed.
So I guess in closing - I appreciate the concern for protected species, and reasons for limits, and guidelines about handling. Also - what I'll take as well-meaning education efforts from forum members.
But please don't assert or suggest that laws were broken unless you KNOW it. As mentioned - I was there, and watched a lot of concerned anglers try very hard to treat the bulls well and see them back safely to their home at the inlet. Maybe you'll get a chance to go up and meet them in person!
Now if I had a picture of a Bull-Fillet dressed up on a bed of rice fresh out of the smoker - unspotted dorsal and all, garnished with fresh sturgeon caviar, well . . . that'd be a different story. Maybe some sea-turtle soup for an appetizer.
But I'll admit - I've been known to go 30mph in a 25mph zone. No photos to prove it though! FISHON!!!