On the 20th I was fishing Spring Creek in the Benner Springs area when I came across two kids fishing. I first thought the kids were using big spoons through the slow pool that you could see the fish in. I stopped to watch for a second and saw that they were using large treble hooks that were weighted and bright silver. They were dragging the hooks along the bottom and trying to snag the fish. One kid was successful, but lost the fish. I had a little talk with him and left. The two boys came running out of the trail and met their mom in the parking lot. I walked over to talk to her and she quickly sped out of the lot. I snapped a picture and have the liscense plate number. I have been planning on turning it in to the commission. What would you guys suggest? This was the first I have come across this and was wanting some feed back on what you would do in this situation.

I would definitely call it in. Give descriptions and any info they request. The WCO will likely only "keep an eye out" for the vehicle and not pursue the perps based on your evidence. The perps will likely not return to that area but if they do they are more likely to be caught if the WCO has a heads up.

Not sure the question is what members on a forum think but what you feel deep inside. Without anyone else privy to the conversation it’s hard to say what impact it may have had with the boy.

If you feel that through the exchange this young man understood why snagging is wrong and apologized then maybe cut him a break. However if you received nothing but a blank stare as if the words went in one ear and out the other then yea I would notify the authorities.

Contact the North Central Pa. regional PFBC law enforcement office and provide the details and photo. Let them handle it from there. Thanks.

Related to the topic, I heard there were poachers apprehended on the Tulpehocken recently. Their MO was using beer bottles with mono, a hook, and a live minnow for bait attached to it. The bottle was tied to twine and thrown into the stream. Some anglers reported them, and they were caught and fined, from what I hear. They were working the Tully DH stretch.

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Yep, that's the thing to do. It's their job. Just call them, and let them handle it.

I've called 3 times in regard to "issues" on Spring Creek. Every time the WCO handled the situation in a very good, professional way.

I'm not saying what they were doing was right by any means, but kids do dumb things. If they were adults I would certainley reccomend contacting the authorities. However, as a child, I did dumb things like trying to snag fish, fishing in a nature preserve, playing with fire, and the list goes on and on. I'm sure all of here did similar dumb things as children. I'd like to also point out that flyfishing is not harmless to trout either. It's kind of like a controlled snagging more or less...

Doesn't sound bad enough to snitch out a couple young kids. Just the outlaw in me speaking. You chased them away-- good enough.

Of course they were out of line but give em credit for creativity. They may the Gates and Jobs of the world someday. Id turn em in if I saw them doing it again.

Makes me wonder why mom sped out of the lot.

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hardly snitchen. Seems like an excellent way for a Conservation Officer or a Biologist to have a very positive experience with some young anglers. A little compassionate education administered in the right tone goes a very long way.

I'd turn them in, especially since the mother sped away. if she would have stayed and scolded the kids and listened to how they broke the law and at least tried to give a crap, that might be a different story, but yep, given that she must have known the kids were doing something wrong, I'd turn them in.

I would call! Sounds like the parent could use a little "EDUCATION" also. Just remember WE are the stewards of our resources.

turn em in. The system is easy on juveneille's anyway, the mother knew something was up so i say stick it to em or at least scare the crap outta them.

Was they using a fly rod or spinning?
Was it a sage or a zebco?
Just kidding, Maybe they need some one to show them how to fish?