Salmon Snagger BUSTED at River!!! ILLEGAL FISHING

I was just doing some bobber and egg fishing at the river, when this guy kept pulling his bare hook through the hole. He kept snagging fish that came loose, then finally hooked this Chinook in the dorsal fin, and pulled it in. He was going to keep the snagged fish which is illegal fishing. Anyhow, I got this poacher caught on camera, and was luckily able to get him to release the fish again.

Always stick to the rules guys. Fishing can take patience. That's part of the fun. No need to resort to snagging....

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[paulgarcia]

It takes a lot to stand up to complete strangers especially when they are breaking the law. You got my respect brother👍 keep it up!

[AnthraciteE]

I showed this video to my kids. You set a good example of what is right and what is wrong. I appreciate you calling this guys out and providing the video so I can teach my boys the RIGHT way to fish. Thank you!

[kaipeterson]

You are a shining example of being a good outdoorsman. Way to go for speaking up.

[redeyestones]

Good on ya, Leif! If this were allowed to happen, there's be a lot less fish to catch. You did the right thing. And stayed calm the whole time. Good job, brother.

[iwrenchbluecollar]

Looks like the thumbs down on this video are from people who can't hook fish in the mouth either.

[locs]

“Dont be a filthy butt snagger” words to live by lol. Great videos!

[Exploer]

The term "busted" has a negative connotation. You held him accountable for his actions and taught him a valuable lesson in sportsmanship. Maybe "schooled" would be a better description.

[htelbz]

Good on you man. Game wardens can’t be everywhere and it’s people like you that keep those guys in check. I’ve had my fair share of arguments on the river, one resulting in a fight. Usually I only pack when in the woods, but now it’s at the river too, which people should not have to. Props to you!

[kmparrott]

The respect I see come from you is the way my father taught me as a kid. I'm 37 and I still pick up trash when I fish or hunt and am fortunate enough to still go with him all the time. Keep it up man. I found your channel like 6 months ago and have almost caught up on all your content. You inspire me to get my butt out in the woods way more often lately.

[BCAngler]

The only Chinook Ive caught was on my fly rod was foul hooked just under the jaw. Got a quick pic, and let her go as she was dropping eggs. 31 lbs on my 9 wt :) Capilano River North Vancouver BC

[syneyed]

To answer your question about whether you should keep a foul hooked salmon...I'm also in the PNW and I think it really depends on a lot of factors. First and foremost, if your snagging on purpose with a bare line and hook; you're wrong. However if you're running like a buzz bomb or other proper salmon gear and foul snag as happenstance...release if possible; keep if it's going to die. Just my thought.

[jameshagerman]

I've released keeper walleye because they were foul hooked, I've also kept trout that had been foul hooked during the dog days of summer when they were unlikely to survive being released (fishing deep diving crankbaits for bass it happens occasionally).
I don't set out to snag fish but how I handle the situation is dependent on the likely of the fish to survive.

[PB-jkbl]

You're far more polite than I would have been. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬Fuggin snaggers!!

[rickiex]

Lmao I hardly keep any fish, I catch alot of salmon and steelhead throughout the year and I only legit keep maybe one. I hardly can finish eating the salmon or steelhead before the meat gets freezer burn too, so I don't see the point in stocking a freezer full of fish. Good call, I've seen worst than that kid, I've seen people use a muskie spoon setting the hook in water lol

[TheSoball]

Snaggers piss me off.
But.. if dude said, im hungry and had nothing.
Id toss him the pepper.

[roballen]

nope, if the fish doesn't take the hooks into it's mouth it's snagged and snagging is a scumbag move.. only thing more you could have done would be to call WDFW and stay there for 15 hours til they get there.

[bensdemosongs]

You weren’t being “that guy.” Being “that guy” is yelling “FOUL HOOK!!! FOUL HOOK!!!” before a legitimately fishing person has even landed the fish to let it go.

[samadkadirov]

An outstanding example of being a great outdoorsman! Bravo! Wish we have more people like you, my man!

[bonedaddy]

If you are fishing for survival snagging is just a fine if you are recreation fishing play by the rules

[Jerry-xxdx]

Dude! He had a wife beater on, bet he was a tough guy. I would've been to scared lol 😆 😂