Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: chris gadsden on June 09, 2005, 04:34:47 PM
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I was told this afternoon of an incident that happened last weekend on Grassy Bar here in Chilliwack.
Three fellows were planning to camp out on Grassy but the weather was bad so they decided not to and were packing up, getting ready to leave. They were then approached by a native fellow who said they were on native land and they were trespassing and no fishing was allowed. I was told he was dressed in camo gear with his face covered.
He said there was to be no was to be no fishing this year here and to tell other anglers as well.
Apparently he mentioned something about starting some ugly incidents if fishing did happen. The actual word he used was a war which seems a bit far fetched to me.
This is partly the result of the government and FOC not enforcing the law of the land on the river the last few years. The SDA and others have told FOC several times this could happen which it did if you remember a few times last year. Hopefully cooler head will prevail this season but it looks grim if this incident is the start of an ugly Summer.
I am not posting this to start a FN bashing thread as this could be onl the action of a lone individual. I just thought in my own conscience that I should pass this information on as an awarness message and not a scare tactic. I would not like to see anyone hurt this fishing season.
I notified our SFAC chair also this afternoon and he has confirmed this incident by making a phone call. A letter has already been send in the last hour to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan and other FOC officials making them aware of the situation.
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Good luck keeping the hundreds of fisherman who fish their yearly off the bar. :-X
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Good luck keeping the hundreds of fisherman who fish their yearly off the bar. :-X
It could prove interesting thats for sure.
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Time for the government and DFO to grow a spine and call these thugs bluff. :-X
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I would bet this is the same guy that got a little excited last year at grassy and stated that the fish in the Fraser were his. He ended up tipping his boat and a couple of people had to get in their boats and go out and pull him to shore before he drowned. Even when one of his buddies picked him up from shore and left, he was still cursing and swearing at everyone on the bar...
You can bet he will be up to his tricks again this summer... I can't believe he is still alive, thought for sure the river would take him by now........
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I would bet this is the same guy that got a little excited last year at grassy and stated that the fish in the Fraser were his. He ended up tipping his boat and a couple of people had to get in their boats and go out and pull him to shore before he drowned. Even when one of his buddies picked him up from shore and left, he was still cursing and swearing at everyone on the bar...
You can bet he will be up to his tricks again this summer... I can't believe he is still alive, thought for sure the river would take him by now........
Today if was found out that you very correct. The RCMP have been notified of this incident on two fronts I was told today as well.
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But are they doing something about it ?
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yes, I agree, are they doing something about it?
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But are they doing something about it ?
Your guess is as good as mine, what was done is all that the private citizen could do. Unfortunatley there will be more incidents ahead that they will have to get involved in. :(
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Chris, who own's Grassy?
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Chris, who own's Grassy?
Sorry I am not sure. I often thought ever thing from the high water mark down was public. As I am not sure of this maybe someone will know or dig it up.
I would but going fishing for a couple of days. ;D ;D
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I guess that if we anchor in the water like last year we aren't exactly on the bar....
mike
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As far as MWLAP is concerned (yes I went in and asked them personally) no one can own a river, being defined by the high water mark. That said, there are a few exceptions to the rule such as the Alouette in certain area's. I'm not sure what applies to native's though.
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i just heard on CKNW radio FOC Minister Geoff Regan has announced $5 million to boost enforcement on the Fraser River this year.
He also says the federal government is reminding commercial and oboriginal fisherman to observe the law.
Regan also said the reforms will be taking effect immediately with up to 16 more fisheries officiers patrolling "hot spots" during the high season, as well as boosting helicopter surveillance of the river.
Finally FOC is getting the message to protect our precious fish stocks so what happened on the East Coast does not repeat itself here.
Good work by the SDA, their president Bill Otwayand other concerned groups for making a case for this to happen. Also to the fishers that supported the SDA last year in attending protest and writing letters of concern to the minister. It took some time but it looks like the effort may be paying off. ;D ;D
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This is really good news but I am from Missouri...I have to be shown. I will reserve final judgement until I actually witness the "improved enforcement."
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Glad to hear it. As one of the letter writers, Im going to send a quick 'thank you' to the minister. Not only is it fair to aknowledge his efforts (in other words, it is easy to complain), it is also a good way to positively give the impression we are still following the issue closely and expect this positive direction to continue in the right direction.
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I agree with Terry. Enforcement is a good start, but there are several sections to 'law and order'. Catch 'em, charge 'em, convict 'em, sentence 'em. If any of the later listed legal processes are neglected, which the govs very well could do (and have done in the past) then stepped up enforcement is meaningless. This case is illustrated by the Cheam fishers that were charged under the fisheries act and didn't show back in court (as per the Vancouver Sun article on the Williams Inquiry). Were there warrants listed for their arrest? Did they get re-arrested and serve time? I haven't heard.
On the other hand, I love a 'minority government' worried about being defeated by independant MP's; causes the politicos to pay more attention to the folks who pay the bills (us) ;D.
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This issue will be discussed on CJOR radio station 600 today, Tuesday June 21 starting I beieve at 8:30.
Randy Kamp, Conservative fisheries critic will be on the show.
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Fished at grassy on Saturday and finally! a DFO patrol, with three officers. They checked every boat for licenses and also checked hooks. I was fishing with a native friend of mine and they asked him lots of questions, like whether he was food or recreational fishing. what band he belonged to etc.
looks like they may be serious this year. ;)
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Fished at grassy on Saturday and finally! a DFO patrol, with three officers. They checked every boat for licenses and also checked hooks. I was fishing with a native friend of mine and they asked him lots of questions, like whether he was food or recreational fishing. what band he belonged to etc.
looks like they may be serious this year. ;)
I heard the same thing as most other fishers were checked Saturday as well. I agree I hope they are serious and keep up their patrols all season.
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:o lets hope they spend the 5 mill on enforcement and not waste it like all the other government bs we have heard before ::) ::) ::) ::)
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if what i heard was correct they will have up to 16 DFO on the fraser or the hot spots during the summer, the question is where are the DFO coming from ? They said they were not going to hire any new officers. If they are just going displace DFo from other regions thats just going to make that region a perfect place for poaching and over fishing .
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Fished at grassy on Saturday and finally! a DFO patrol, with three officers. They checked every boat for licenses and also checked hooks. I was fishing with a native friend of mine and they asked him lots of questions, like whether he was food or recreational fishing. what band he belonged to etc.
looks like they may be serious this year. ;)
Dumb question but...... Do status card carrying Indians need anything other than their card to fish recreationally?
Glad to hear that DFO are out there. Hope they are not just doing a 7-330 shift.
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I believe the answer is Yes.
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One of my best fishing partners is FN and he does not need any licenses but he abides by all fishing regulations and catch limits. He, like me cares for the fish and wishes to preseve them for all future generations.
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Was told today 2 fellows netting during a closed time in the Agassiz Bridge area of the Fraser River had their boat and net seized.The fellows were cooling their heels in a local lockup as well.
Appears FOC is serious about enforcing the Fisheries act for all users this Sunmmer.
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Was told today 2 fellows netting during a closed time in the Agassiz Bridge area of the Fraser River had their boat and net seized.The fellows were cooling their heels in a local lockup as well.
Appears FOC is serious about enforcing the Fisheries act for all users this Sunmmer.
Now THAT is good news.
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More info on the boys who ended up in the slammer for illegal drift netting.
Two high profile fishers were fishing in the middle of the night in the Cheam area.
The boat, motor, and the net were seized. The fishers spent time in jail before posting a cash bond for release.
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Two high profile fishers were fishing in the middle of the night in the Cheam area.
Might one of them be Ernie Crey, the "spokesman" for the Cheam Band ?
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Two high profile fishers were fishing in the middle of the night in the Cheam area.
Might one of them be Ernie Crey, the "spokesman" for the Cheam Band ?
I do not think so as I do not think he fishes much but I could be wrong.
I know Ernie and is a very personable chap,the media like him for that fact.
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More info on the boys who ended up in the slammer for illegal drift netting.
Two high profile fishers were fishing in the middle of the night in the Cheam area.
The boat, motor, and the net were seized. The fishers spent time in jail before posting a cash bond for release.
Just to follow up
...they are however are under Court Orders to comply with conditions DFO set for release.
Seven Set nets were seized last week, no fishers present.