Housatonic River: Another type of Reminder

[Dave]

Hi all,
Just a reminder that I read from HRO: Poaching has been, and still remains a HUGE problem. Read below, and let's be heard! AND, let's try to keep an eye out and report all poaching, EVERYWHERE.

From Daily Reports/News, Torrey
"Some of you may be aware of the poaching problem that seems to be increasing markedly in the last 2-3 years. It's been a problem downriver in the lower Bull's Bridge TMA for a while now, and now it seems to be working it's way in the upper TMA and the section below Cornwall Bridge down to Kent (the same area we privately stock with Rainbows). Harold attended a FAC (Fisheries Advisory Committee) meeting on 6/12/08, they discussed the problem with the DEP, and one of the things they recommended is for all of us anglers to make our local state representative aware of the problem & our displeasure over it, and the need for enforcement by Conservation Officers. Unfortunately, the majority of our too few CO's are tied up in state parks and also have to cover huge geographical areas. Write and/or call our state representative for this area, Andrew Roraback, and make him aware of the poaching problem and ask to have a regular presence by conservation officers on the river, especially on the weekends Spring thru Fall. His phone # is 800-842-1421, and his mailing address is:"

Andrew Roraback
64th Assembly District
25 Bentley Circle
Goshen, CT 06756

[Bowtech]

Ditto..............I agree we must make some noise if we want it to stop! I'm calling today

[LorenWilliams]

Can't your local police and sherrif enforce game and fish laws?

[alanb_ct]

Loren:
Our CT staffing is woefully inadequate.

[AaronJasper]

Well when the officer who is supposed to patrol the Housy hangs out all day at his favorite bass lake checking everyone its tough to protect other waterways.

[LorenWilliams]

It's a problem everywhere. This is why WE NEED MORE sportsmen in office!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh.

[Nymphmeister]

The CO's in CT are 2 few, have to cover massive areas, and end up getting stuck doing more police type work than conservation stuff. Covering State Parks and boating issues on major lakes takes up most of their time. The budget is small, and there are way too few CO's. I called in some Housy poachers in the TMA on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and they said that honestly they were so tied up in the state parks that weekend that it would probably be the next day before someone could come out. However, it is important for us too call in all violations we see, as they do catch some of them, and even when they don't come or are unable to catch them, the call is still logged into the database and the numbers of calls are looked at each year when determining levels of staffing in different areas. We have been kicking & screaming about this for a while now, and I think we will see an increase in enforcement in the near future.

[Bowtech]

Here is a true story that happenied last year. I was camping at the Houstonic Meadows state park along side the campground pool and had a conversation with one young CO about poachers. He said that he doesn't believe in having a Fly Fishing only area and because of that he doesn't enforce the laws if he comes across spin fishermen in the Fly only area. Iam can only assume he then doesn't enforce the C&R either. Sad but true. I never did get his name but wish I had because I would have turned his butt in