Skagit River~Washington St. Lifting a Wild Steelhead out of the water
“I would like to apologize to the people of Washington state for being so careless. In no way was this intentional, and yes, I should have known better.”
“Let’s turn this unfortunate situation into a positive learning experience for all by re-enforcing the rule – “IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TOTALLY REMOVE SALMON, STEELHEAD OR DOLLY VARDEN/BULL TROUT FROM THE WATER IF IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RETAIN THOSE FISH, OR IF THE ANGLER SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASES THE SALMON, STEELHEAD, DOLLY VARDEN OR BULL TROUT”.
I am not sure if Flyfisher Girl received a cite or realized upon review of the regs that she had been violating regs or more likely she caught a fish and took pic and someone saw a fish hoisted from the Skagit R. and commented. Worth a review of the attached regs to avoid the fastidious enforcers. I love a pic with a worthy fish and have done it numerous times, however, valuable time is wasted in staging and taking 2-4 pics of that memory, which really should be used to carefully revive the fish. Create innovative-artistic angles of shots to highlight a tail, gill plate, side profile, etc. If you are beyond Washington St. for god sake do not hold a fish vertical by the tail or by the gill plate. Gentle…always gentle, respectful and quick….
SwittersB & Exploring 