05-08-2006, 07:08 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I have never been able to understand the mindset of snaggers. I have seen it on several species in several states. Something about big fish that can't be caught by poor fishermen causing them to resort to illegal and unethical fishing practices.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Probably the worst examples I have ever seen were people chasing spawning salmon on some of California's rivers. Some folks used heavy rods, lines and big treble hooks. Others went right to the spears and clubs. While I lived in Sacramento there was a picture in the local paper of a wild-eyed guy running across the spawning redds with a big claw hammer raised over his head. The telephoto pic clearly showed that he was crazed with blood lust. The pic was taken by a fisheries officer, and of course the hammer swinger was BUSTED...big time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The slaughter was disgusting. What made it even worse was that the fish were in bad shape during the spawn and were not even worth keeping to eat. it was strictly a brutal killing spree. Not only that, but many spawning redds were destroyed by the maniacs running through them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The dedicated snaggers on the Gorge are nothing more than killers and criminals. What they do cannot be remotely considered as sport. All they do is kill some of the big fish that others spend lots of time and money trying to catch...legally.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I've said my piece.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Probably the worst examples I have ever seen were people chasing spawning salmon on some of California's rivers. Some folks used heavy rods, lines and big treble hooks. Others went right to the spears and clubs. While I lived in Sacramento there was a picture in the local paper of a wild-eyed guy running across the spawning redds with a big claw hammer raised over his head. The telephoto pic clearly showed that he was crazed with blood lust. The pic was taken by a fisheries officer, and of course the hammer swinger was BUSTED...big time.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The slaughter was disgusting. What made it even worse was that the fish were in bad shape during the spawn and were not even worth keeping to eat. it was strictly a brutal killing spree. Not only that, but many spawning redds were destroyed by the maniacs running through them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The dedicated snaggers on the Gorge are nothing more than killers and criminals. What they do cannot be remotely considered as sport. All they do is kill some of the big fish that others spend lots of time and money trying to catch...legally.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I've said my piece.[/#0000ff]
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