Hey Listers-
Just wanted to warn anyone who plans to fish the
Deschutes this weekend or any time in the near future
about a controversy on the middle portion of the river
that borders the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The
Warm Springs Tribal Police (WSTP) Fish and Game
division is claiming jurisdiction over the entire
river that borders their land. Over the past two days
or so they have ticketed anglers ($500-$1,000) for
trespass and illegal angling. Most typically, they
have cited anglers who are fishing the islands in
mid-channel. So far as I know they have not cited
anyone on the state side of the river who was wading.
In one case they threatened to confiscate an angler's
drift boat, nearly all the anglers cited had their
gear (rods, reels, etc) confiscated.
For more info on this, go to <www.flyshop.com>. On the
left hand menu goto "VFS Region" and click Northwest
States and then goto the Bulleting Board. There are
several first hand letters from local guys who were
cited and had their tackle taken.
Treaty rights and State and Federal law are obscure
and confusing on who has jurisdiction on these waters.
For info at least a few of the people cited had Tribal
Permits, boating permits, state angling licenses and
the whole nine yards. Not trying to stir any pots on
who has what rights, just want to warn people headed
here this weekend as to what's been going on lately.
For more info contact any on the local flyshops in
Madras, Redmond, Bend, Maupin, etc. They're all aware
of the situation and may have more recent info.
Take care and good fishing. A great weekend to all.
-John
Oregon
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The River-
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You move and change,I move and am the same;
You move and are gone, I move and remain.
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