Occupy Skagit, on steroids.

I took a friend to fish Rocky Ford and when I got there I decided I wasn't going fishing that day.

The LEO showed up and wanted to see my fishing license. I told him I wasn't fishing and didn't need to show him a license. God, I was in a foul mood that day.

He wanted to know IF I fished that day. Interesting question. I truthfully, told him no. But not sure how I would have answered if he asked me have you fished this license year or if I would have pleaded the 5th. Once you start down the slippery slope it is hard to turn direction and restart the conversation.

Anyway, it he could have easily checked the hang-tag on my truck. But instead, he went to my friend and asked about the ass**** that took him fishing that day and if I had a license. My friend assured him I did, but watch out for my foul mood.

Not sure it is worth screwing with a LEO. In the end, as mentioned, they can make your next few days miserable for little gain.

Getting the attention of the media, politicians, etc is an art form.

Think out a strategy before engaging and probably leave the LEO out of it.
 
509 said:
I took a friend to fish Rocky Ford and when I got there I decided I wasn't going fishing that day.

The LEO showed up and wanted to see my fishing license. I told him I wasn't fishing and didn't need to show him a license. God, I was in a foul mood that day.

He wanted to know IF I fished that day. Interesting question. I truthfully, told him no. But not sure how I would have answered if he asked me have you fished this license year or if I would have pleaded the 5th. Once you start down the slippery slope it is hard to turn direction and restart the conversation.

Anyway, it he could have easily checked the hang-tag on my truck. But instead, he went to my friend and asked about the ass**** that took him fishing that day and if I had a license. My friend assured him I did, but watch out for my foul mood.

Not sure it is worth screwing with a LEO. In the end, as mentioned, they can make your next few days miserable for little gain.

Getting the attention of the media, politicians, etc is an art form.

Think out a strategy before engaging and probably leave the LEO out of it.
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The LEO’s have become pawns in the political agendas. Most of them are pretty pleasant people, always exceptions but that is universal across all professions.
 
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Well isn't this interesting? I have been engaged in pointless fishing for the last 2 months on the Sauk/Skagit so obviously I'm in on the plan. Generally I call or send WDFW a heads up just to be nice. All they asked of me was to try to not fish next to a bridge.or road as this gets people's attention. Ok on that.
 
Brian Miller said:
But an LEO in bad mood (or provoked) might issue a citation that would haul you into court to dispute and beat it. For a groundless citation like that the LEO might not even show up in court to avoid being scolded by the Judge.
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Life is not without risks. A life well lived may involve more risk. I'm 77 years old, and I don't have 10 or so spare years to wait around and see if WDFW is going to reopen the Skagit steelhead season. I witnessed their inaction last time around. That cost us 8 years of no season. I'm not waiting again.

I'm not really interested in arguing about "why not" unless the plan has a fatal flaw. Fatal, as in I'm more likely to die from fishing than not. I'm interested in refining the OS proposal so as to create the best of self-regulated fisheries and possibly embarrass WDFW for the irrelevant wimps they have become while not working for recreational angling on anadromous rivers.
 
Salmo_g said:
Life is not without risks. A life well lived may involve more risk. I'm 77 years old, and I don't have 10 or so spare years to wait around and see if WDFW is going to reopen the Skagit steelhead season. I witnessed their inaction last time around. That cost us 8 years of no season. I'm not waiting again.

I'm not really interested in arguing about "why not" unless the plan has a fatal flaw. Fatal, as in I'm more likely to die from fishing than not. I'm interested in refining the OS proposal so as to create the best of self-regulated fisheries and possibly embarrass WDFW for the irrelevant wimps they have become while not working for recreational angling on anadromous rivers.
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I like it when you get fired up.
 
Styskal said:
All they asked of me was to try to not fish next to a bridge.or road as this gets people's attention. Ok on that.
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There ya go!
 
Salmo_g said:
I'm interested in refining the OS proposal so as to create the best of self-regulated fisheries and possibly embarrass WDFW for the irrelevant wimps they have become while not working for recreational angling on anadromous rivers.
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Did I read WDFW is required by statute to provide recreational fishing opportunities? If so maybe a lawsuit is in order.
 
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Styskal said:
Well isn't this interesting? I have been engaged in pointless fishing for the last 2 months on the Sauk/Skagit so obviously I'm in on the plan. Generally I call or send WDFW a heads up just to be nice. All they asked of me was to try to not fish next to a bridge.or road as this gets people's attention. Ok on that.
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Isn’t the point to draw attention?… that was not supposed to be disrespectful to you Styskal.
 
Scottybs said:
Do you have much experience with attorneys and are you willing to pony up the cash? If so do it, I think its great dudes and dudettes are pushing back against Olympia’s agenda. But if you’re simply blurting out an ego driven post and aren’t willing to walk the walk, figure out another way to convey your message.
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I'm blurting out a bit, but am willing to walk the walk. Not sure about the ego part. 😁 Sorry if I offended anyone.
 
Brian Miller said:
For you and @skyriver , I didn't mean to imply that a Judge would hand down a fine for appearance only.
But an LEO in bad mood (or provoked) might issue a citation that would haul you into court to dispute and beat it. For a groundless citation like that the LEO might not even show up in court to avoid being scolded by the Judge.

A citation for malicious hassassment of threatened fish with a hookless "lure" in the water is gross misdemeanor or class C felony under RCW 77.15.120. According to USFWS wildlife harassment during a protest—even with non-malicious intent—can still be legally considered harassment if the actions significantly disrupt normal behavior patterns or cause likelihood of injury (or spawning success?). Significantly and likelihood might be in the subjective judgement of an LEO to issue the citation, but not necessarily incure a judgement against you.

In either case you could-would probably wind up in Mt Vernon for a court date, taking PTO-sick leave, paying for gas and/or transit, sitting in long traffic backups to do so. At least there is free parking nearby in MV. For the harassment charge, I would definitely want an attorney.

I get it, that showing up to court is as much a part of the protest as is the gathering for casting with other protesters; possibly with news crews present to get the word out about the absurdity of the closure and is a noble cause, worthy to be passionate about.

I am also saying that a harrassment citation from a provoked LEO is serious enough it could lead to that Burkie speyrod and Iconic reel might not be going home with you from the protest. Use your own judgement about that.
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Thanks for citing the RCW Brian. Good for people to read before taking any action. Serious question...is threatened the same as endangered? The RCW specifically uses the word "endangered". No mention of the word "threatened".

Note (b) seems to indicate that the decision is with the "commission"-
(b) The fish or wildlife is designated by the commission as endangered; and...

And it also mentions the "taking" of endangered fish. And also mentions "fishes for". If no hook then not fishing?

And regarding harassment- They use the language "maliciously harasses". Is a hookless fly in the top inch of water malicious harassment?

I agree that the LEO might just ticket and let the attorneys sort out the definitions so it would cost me time and money. I would think if they're aware of an organized "protest" then maybe they play nice.

How do the spey claves work? I'm almost positive the Snoqualmie has been closed the last few claves in Fall City. Do they have to get permission? Honest question. No blurting. 😁
 
Scottybs said:
Do you have much experience with attorneys and are you willing to pony up the cash? If so do it, I think its great dudes and dudettes are pushing back against Olympia’s agenda. But if you’re simply blurting out an ego driven post and aren’t willing to walk the walk, figure out another way to convey your message.
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Brian Miller said:
For you and @skyriver , I didn't mean to imply that a Judge would hand down a fine for appearance only.
But an LEO in bad mood (or provoked) might issue a citation that would haul you into court to dispute and beat it. For a groundless citation like that the LEO might not even show up in court to avoid being scolded by the Judge.

A citation for malicious hassassment of threatened fish with a hookless "lure" in the water is gross misdemeanor or class C felony under RCW 77.15.120. According to USFWS wildlife harassment during a protest—even with non-malicious intent—can still be legally considered harassment if the actions significantly disrupt normal behavior patterns or cause likelihood of injury (or spawning success?). Significantly and likelihood might be in the subjective judgement of an LEO to issue the citation, but not necessarily incure a judgement against you.

In either case you could-would probably wind up in Mt Vernon for a court date, taking PTO-sick leave, paying for gas and/or transit, sitting in long traffic backups to do so. At least there is free parking nearby in MV. For the harassment charge, I would definitely want an attorney.

I get it, that showing up to court is as much a part of the protest as is the gathering for casting with other protesters; possibly with news crews present to get the word out about the absurdity of the closure and is a noble cause, worthy to be passionate about.

I am also saying that a harrassment citation from a provoked LEO is serious enough it could lead to that Burkie speyrod and Iconic reel might not be going home with you from the protest. Use your own judgement about that.
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You know, this isn't the first rodeo for salmo, smalma, and WW. We did it by the wdfw book and dedicated six years to it last time. I am not up for that kind of timeline again. I'm thinking more like shock and awe. "You might as well figure out this monitoring thing quick 'cause here we come."
 
_WW_ said:
You know, this isn't the first rodeo for salmo, smalma, and WW. We did it by the wdfw book and dedicated six years to it last time. I am not up for that kind of timeline again. I'm thinking more like shock and awe. "You might as well figure out this monitoring thing quick 'cause here we come."
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Considering this is the state that let people burn down a police station and take over a small part of its biggest city………speaking only for myself I don’t have much fear of casting hookless lures into a river 🤣🤣

Bring it on, I like everything about the idea.
What is there to lose at this point?
 
I do love this idea and would love to see a season sooner than later! We should pick a date or just each go when we can. I think a tube fly, without a hook would be my choice. Sad that we spent so much time on OS and have only had a few spring seasons.

Any WDFW meeting coming up that we could plan to go and speak at? Or at least have a large group to show them they need to figure out their budget!
 
kg4lwp said:
Considering this is the state that let people burn down a police station and take over a small part of its biggest city………speaking only for myself I don’t have much fear of casting hookless lures into a river 🤣🤣

Bring it on, I like everything about the idea.
What is there to lose at this point?
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Ummm about that… a bunch of “privileged” fly fishermen… Olympia knows how to “follow the money”… selective enforcement is a real thing.
 
The first official date for not officially fishing would be February 1st. That's a Monday. So for a group effort, maybe Saturday the 6th.
 
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