Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} poaching at chain bridge

I may be falling victim to a troll here, but I'm going to assume that your concern is heartfelt, despite your alias, Gus. 

Unfortunately, this has been going on for a long time, and discussed at length on this forum. See here, here and here. These are just a few examples of the discussions we've had that relate to poaching and other illegal activities. 

The number to call to report these (and other) illegal activities in that area is 202-610-7500. That's the U.S. Park Police emergency dispatch. Other numbers can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/uspp/

Unfortunately, it's been my experience that while the operator will show a lot of concern and seem genuinely grateful that you called in to report said activity, no one will show up to do anything about it. From other posts, it seems like others have had similar experiences. But that doesn't mean that we should stop calling to report these activities. 

When I was recently fishing from a Fletcher's rowboat, we watched someone nearly lose control of a fire that they built on the bank on the VA side of the river. it had been dry and was pretty windy that day. They were luck enough to get it back under control, but eventually someone won't be as lucky and that whole shoreline will be set ablaze.

--Scott

On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 11:30 PM, Gus Orviston <laura.mawn@gmail.com> wrote:

Guys- I'm new to this forum and do not normally post but I feel obligated as an angler to bring to light a major issue that has come to my attention.

It seems as though everybody turns a blind eye to the poachers lining the banks keeping shad and herring in the Fletchers Cove area. The place turns into an absolute zoo on the weekends. Who manages this section of river? Honestly guys, I fish the area a lot, and I've only been approached once by a man in a row boat with fishing rods who told me to take my boat in. I then watched the man anchor up and start fishing. How well is this fishery being managed?

Its no secret, a massive school of river herring is currently in their peak spawn at the mouth of Pimmit Run and other tributaries in the area. Its also no secret that the mouth of Pimmit run is surrounded by fishermen rigged up with treble hooks and carrying duffel bags. Every parking spot at chain bridge is full. Taking a walk yesterday  to the mouth of Pimmit to observe the herring spawn, I was greeted by dozens of fishermen scattering away with their treble hooks and duffel bags. When I went back to the parking lot and sat in my car, I watched as fishermen came and returned from the area exchanging bags of fish.

If you don't believe me, go to the chain bridge parking lot and look around. Walk to the mouth of Pimmit Run and see the herring and watch the poachers scatter with their heavy bags.

The only reason I am writing on this forum is because I don't know how else to address the issue. Fishing is the driving force of my life. River Herring and Shad are what make the Potomac the amazing fishery we know. Seeing my home fishery being depleted because of ignorant fishermen and in my opinion an utter lack of fisheries management and law enforcement breaks my heart.

How do we put an end to poaching on the tidal Potomac?

And for anyone interested in why the River Herring and Shad fishery is under such 'strict' management (moratorium), feel free to read the following like: 
http://www.asmfc.org/species/shad-river-herring

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