Way to go Sean!

I found this artical in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat today. Link.

Here is the artical:

Sonoma County sheriff's deputies are quietly cracking down on salmon poaching in the Russian River, issuing warnings in a program that has angered some anglers.

Over the past month, sheriff's deputies have talked with 143 people fishing in the river, 11 of whom had caught chinook salmon, a fish listed as an endangered species. Deputies are delivering oral warnings, but next year they will hand out citations that could carry up to $750 in fines.

On Wednesday, popular fishing spots such as the dams and fish ladders near the Healdsburg and Wohler bridges were quiet save for an occasional fisherman who said chinook was definitely not on their list of fish to catch that day. Salmon were abundant at the inflatable dam downriver from Wohler Bridge during early morning and late afternoon, leaping against the rushing waters in an attempt to swim upstream.

"Right now, we are trying to educate people that it is illegal to even catch and release salmon on the endangered species list," said Sgt. Robert Pacheco. "Next year, education will take a back seat to enforcement and arrest."

But Steve Jackson, owner of King's Sport and Tackle Shop and a member of the Sonoma County parks board, said some fishermen have come into his Guerneville store grumbling that deputies have warned them that, under the new enforcement effort, they won't be allowed to fish in certain areas, no matter what type of fish they are seeking.

"If the river is open for fishing, you have a legal right to fish there," Jackson said. "I appreciate what the deputies are doing to educate people, but I am opposed to them telling people not to fish in any areas where salmon are found."

The dispute arises from a new program approved last summer by county supervisors to control catches of three fish on the endangered species list: chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead trout. Supervisors are spending $200,000 on a 2-year program that is part of the county effort to restore the population of wild salmon and trout in the Russian River.

The program is significantly less drastic than measures such as closing portions of the Russian River to all fishing that supervisors were mulling last year.

Since late October, Pacheco has had five deputies patrolling popular fishing spots, especially Healdsburg's Memorial Beach, Forestville's Steelhead Beach and the Geyserville Bridge. Pacheco said almost half of the fishermen deputies encountered were from outside Sonoma County, predominantly from the Richmond and Oakland areas.

"I don't see a lot of people poaching because they are hungry, and it's not for the black market like abalone," Pacheco said. "Mostly, it is for the sport of catching a fighting fish."

Sean White, environmental specialist with the Sonoma County Water Agency, said the "catch-and-release" practice is illegal because the fish expends its energy and dumps its eggs during the fight. White said sheriff's deputies are looking for anglers who come to the river equipped with longer rods, big casting reels and specialized baiting equipment designed for 40- to 45-pound fish such as salmon.

"Sure, they are going to die when they get upstream, but they have to reproduce first, otherwise there is no next generation," White said.

Some fishermen report catching hatchery-bred fish in the river, which is not illegal and could make the enforcement program even more confusing, Jackson said.

"Most anglers are aware that the salmon are on the endangered species list and they follow the laws on no-take fish," Jackson said.

Thanks Dan!

Thanks Sean!

BRAVO SEAN!!!! Let the river salmon spawn - LEAVE THEM ALONE 

Well said, Sean!!!!

Sean - if you ever need weekend volunteers for working the river = PLEASE count me in 

When we were camping at Duncans Mills for the crab opener I saw some seals in the river. I threw rocks at them.

When we were camping at Duncans Mills for the crab opener I saw some seals in the river. I threw rocks at them.

  That's the kind of " Hands on approach" I like to see!!! .............Danglin

the "catch-and-release" practice is illegal because the fish expends its energy and dumps its eggs during the fight.

I have heard of this happening and it's a damn shame.  What will we have to do up here on the Eel River to get the catch and release-only fishery just shut down? 

Excelint article. Let them spawn so there will be a better fishery.

Sean... I've been following the post on Coastside regarding this as well.  Huge Kudo's to you for taking all the flack and responding to all the kookey comments in a professional and factual manner. 

Many folks would blow a fuse with some of the accusatory and conspiracy type comments.  Way to represent!  You're a class act.

Erik

Thanks for the support.