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Angler involvement... Just last week, a carload of people arrived at the nursery waters of Trout Run. Seven of them proceeded to post lookouts, enter the nursery waters, and carry the netted fish to the trunk of the car where each fish was individually wrapped in newspaper and stored. Unfortunately, the witness was unable to contact an officer immediately nor get the license plate number of the vehicle. Later in the evening when an officer was contacted, Dwco Ben Suchocki arrived on scene and found the landing net used in the poaching still laying concealed in a nearby wooded area. This was indicative that the suspects may return to the scene. He cut the bottom of the net to render it useless and returned it to its spot. The nursery water area was kept under surveillance the following day and as expected, some suspects returned at the exact time of the previous incident. As one posted a lookout for approaching vehicles, two suspects walked to the beach area, while the fourth retrieved the hidden net and entered the nursery waters to scoop fish. The confusion of frantically attempting to scoop trout while the fish passed through the unnoticed slit in the bottom of the net permitted the deputy an opportunity to approach the suspects undetected and take them into custody. Pa. State Police arrived on scene as back up and the US Border Patrol attended to some immigration documentation matters. Fines and costs exceeded $600.00 The bottom line is that angler involvement alerted officers to the illegal activity. While the initial violation was unable to be proven due to lack of evidence, the call still made a difference. Together we can save something for future generations. Fishing is still great about anywhere you are able to wet a line. Weather is This is a great time to familiarize yourself with new fishing locations. WCO John Bowser |