Clinch River: [Conservation]

[Corbo]

Waterwolf; are you asking me to become a member of the Clinch River Chapter?



I'm not certain that shooting a fish poacher is a good idea even if he resists "citizen's arrest" while I wait all day for some TWRA dude to show up on a weekend.

Perhaps WE all ought to get together and re-organize/ revitalize some efforts for the Clinch?

[duckypaddler]

Originally Posted by Corbo

I have really cool guns and it's a real shame I haven't been able to shoot anyone yet!

Did he really just say that?

Talk like that will get your carry permit pulled if you have one (not that I'm gonna turn you in).

Your a disgrace to responsible gun owners/concealed carry people, and statements like that just feed each side of the issue, and does nothing helpful.

Then again flaming an issue and offering nothing contributable may just be a theme with you, but hopefully I'm wrong about that.



Hopefully these tailwater schedules will get better, and so will the mood of this fourm

[Varmitcounty]

Wolfie,

I am a member of the Little River Chapter.

Historically speaking, it has been my observance that you are quite the curmudgeon when it comes to points of opinion and discussion. Nothing at all against you or what you have done both on and for your home waters...for that you get my fullest support.

I agree that it is a much larger issue than just hugging up to the TU tree and feeling good because we picked up some trash, released our fish, and taught some kid how to cast a fly rod. This issue is perhaps more about the management of the people on the river more than the fish in the river. TWRA should without question be much more proactive on our waters. I don't think, with the one trip on the Nanatahala I have ever been "checked". Would not bother me at all to have my trip briefly interupted by an officer each time I went out.

Confrontation in the case of the river, is a defense mechanism of the ignorant. The taking of a licence plate number is admirable, but how many TWRA officers are going to knock on someones door because they kept two trout or so that were not legal? It simply must be an on stream encounter that is consistent, swift, and sure.

I entered into this discussion because I feel very strongly about bringing the Clinch back to its better days. I learned to fly fish on the Clinch, and still have friends who fish it more out of dedication and convenience than overall quality. It was also my fear that it would turn from an honest discussion to a heated argument and it seems that unless Paula so graciously intervenes again, it may turn that way again.

I think Shawn has brought up an very important issue, but I also think to myself, how many folks who read this are reading it just because "Waterwolf" is back on his sacred cow tipping soapbox again.

Intellect, organization, cooperation, and civility may not always work in war, or life for that matter, but when it comes to supporting the health of a pastime it is of utmost importance.

[Corbo]

Ducky; I was joking! Lighten up. Chances are if someone ain't shooting at me I'm not gonna shoot at them; never been to jail and don't plan on it.

Spose the wolf doesn't want me as a Clinch member.

I don't know where TWRA guys spend their time; perhaps at boat landings on the lakes. I have seen them many times around the Douglas landing near the dam and at Gator Point Marina when there was live music (about 4 of them) and fireworks.

Now speaking of weapons; what if the guys with illegal fish didn't like the tone of your voice or your attitude or your writing down their plate or taking their picture and took out a pistol then fired at you claiming "self-defense"? I do not have bullet proof waders or vest.... and any idiot (legal or not) can easily stick a Keltec 9 into his wading vest or beat you senseless with a tire iron.

[waterwolf]

Originally Posted by Varmitcounty

Confrontation in the case of the river, is a defense mechanism of the ignorant. The taking of a licence plate number is admirable, but how many TWRA officers are going to knock on someones door because they kept two trout or so that were not legal? It simply must be an on stream encounter that is consistent, swift, and sure.

I think Shawn has brought up an very important issue, but I also think to myself, how many folks who read this are reading it just because "Waterwolf" is back on his sacred cow tipping soapbox again.

.

You may feel that confronting poachers either directly or indirectly is a mechanism of the ignorant, but several other posters including me in this very topic believe it is a civic duty to report most crimes.

I could care less whether you or anyone else chooses to confront or give TWRA a call when you see poaching, it is a personal choice and an ethical decision which must be made by the individual.

However, coming here and whining or even participating in a conservation discussion when the easiest and most controllable aspect of conservation is ignored, makes even having this discussion a waste of time.

That is the point of the last few posts. I am not getting into the whole TU thing again, to each their own. But it is hard to claim to be concerned with the river when blatant law breaking is left unchallenged and unreported.

You can attack me if you feel froggy, but rest assured neither I nor anyone I know, which is a bunch, would let slide what you all did Saturday without a call to TWRA. You may call it a soap box or whatever, I believe it is right to stand up for the fishery and the law, and the future of the resource.

Originally Posted by Corbo

Spose the wolf doesn't want me as a Clinch member.


Now speaking of weapons; what if the guys with illegal fish didn't like the tone of your voice or your attitude or your writing down their plate or taking their picture and took out a pistol then fired at you claiming "self-defense"? I do not have bullet proof waders or vest.... and any idiot (legal or not) can easily stick a Keltec 9 into his wading vest or beat you senseless with a tire iron.

Join if you wish, I am not active anymore because of reasons mentioned earlier which I will let rest at the request of Paula.

My heavens is all that needs to be said about the last paragraph.

I guess some people just don't understand that helping out TWRA with a simple 2 minute phone call is the right thing to do, and the chances of it escalating to a shootout or beating with a tire iron are right around zero.

Again, it is impossible to have a discussion about river conservation when the easiest and most controllabe aspect isn't stood up for when it occurs. Impossible.

[Cane Pole]

I've hunted and fished around here for over 40 years and I hate poachers with a passion -- but I wouldn't a bit more confront some idiot over a bunch of fish a bit more than the man in the moon! If I could get a tag number or something, then sure, I'd do that, but I would never recommend physically confronting anybody over a stupid fish.


With no enforcement, these yahoos will use the rivers as their own personal grocery store. That's just a fact. So until TWRA gets serious about it - or views it as a problem - then it's going to be what it is and no vigilante is going to change a thing.

[waterwolf]

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

I've hunted and fished around here for over 40 years and I hate poachers with a passion -- but I wouldn't a bit more confront some idiot over a bunch of fish a bit more than the man in the moon! If I could get a tag number or something, then sure, I'd do that, but I would never recommend physically confronting anybody over a stupid fish.


With no enforcement, these yahoos will use the rivers as their own personal grocery store. That's just a fact. So until TWRA gets serious about it - or views it as a problem - then it's going to be what it is and no vigilante is going to change a thing.

I understand avoiding the confrontation, but a phone call is an easy option.

How can TWRA know if we keep our mouths shut?

[g022271]

Over the past 3 years that I have been flyfishing on the Clinch, which is nothing compared to the majority of the forum , when I have addressed the slot issue with a violator, I have mainly just asked them if they were aware of the slot limitations and all but a couple were unaware . I also let them know the reasons for the restriction and the fines that go along with it . I also let them know about cleaning the fish at the river and the violation of cutting off the head and/or the tail. I do it in an unaggressive attitude and try to not sound like a know it all, but that I am trying to save them from being fined. Like I said earlier, I have only been "rebuked" twice and did not feel endangered at the time. I hope this method makes sense in trying to do what is right, and if anyone has a better way or added ideas, I'm open.

Mike

[waterwolf]

Originally Posted by g022271

Over the past 3 years that I have been flyfishing on the Clinch, which is nothing compared to the majority of the forum , when I have addressed the slot issue with a violator, I have mainly just asked them if they were aware of the slot limitations and all but a couple were unaware . I also let them know the reasons for the restriction and the fines that go along with it . I also let them know about cleaning the fish at the river and the violation of cutting off the head and/or the tail. I do it in an unaggressive attitude and try to not sound like a know it all, but that I am trying to save them from being fined. Like I said earlier, I have only been "rebuked" twice and did not feel endangered at the time. I hope this method makes sense in trying to do what is right, and if anyone has a better way or added ideas, I'm open.

Mike

Perfect...

[MadisonBoats]

Originally Posted by g022271

Over the past 3 years that I have been flyfishing on the Clinch, which is nothing compared to the majority of the forum , when I have addressed the slot issue with a violator, I have mainly just asked them if they were aware of the slot limitations and all but a couple were unaware . I also let them know the reasons for the restriction and the fines that go along with it . I also let them know about cleaning the fish at the river and the violation of cutting off the head and/or the tail. I do it in an unaggressive attitude and try to not sound like a know it all, but that I am trying to save them from being fined. Like I said earlier, I have only been "rebuked" twice and did not feel endangered at the time. I hope this method makes sense in trying to do what is right, and if anyone has a better way or added ideas, I'm open.

Mike

Excellent approach Mike! Kudos and great job being an fishing ambassador! I do think it is great to voice our opinions and to be heard. However; we must remember to keep our emotions in check. Emotions are what keep our court systems backed up. I do agree with Jim on contacting TWRA. They might not be able to get up and check the violation right away. But, the notices let them know of the activity and give them valid information on when and where to check in the future.

BTW; there is a man and woman the fish above Llewallyn Island most weekends and absolutely slay slot fish. I have found heads of large fish all over the bank from where they leave them. I hope they get checked the next time they walk back to their car with their cleaned fish.