The boys | WDFW
It was a crisp October morning last Friday when two eager anglers took to Washington’s Quillayute River, drift boat in tow, chasing the thrill of coho salmon season. Armed with rods, reels, and a burning desire for internet clout, they decided to livestream their adventure, undoubtedly envisioning viral fame or a few extra subscribers for their burgeoning YouTube channel. What they got instead was a front-row seat to their own undoing, courtesy of a sharp-eyed tipster and a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer with a knack for timing.
The Quillayute, a hotspot for anadromous fish like salmon and steelhead, is governed by strict regulations to protect dwindling runs teetering on the edge of extinction. But our duo seemed to either have missed the memo or figured the rules didn’t apply to their quest for likes. As they cast their lines and reeled in coho, they proudly hoisted fish fully out of the water for dramatic camera shots, a blatant violation of Washington’s “keep ‘em wet” rule. This regulation bans lifting salmon, steelhead, or certain trout completely out of the water if they’re to be released or if the angler’s over their limit, minimizing handling stress that can kill fish later.
Unbeknownst to them, a tipster (likely a rival angler watching from shore) alerted WDFW, pinpointing their exact location. Enter Officer McComber, who did what any tech-savvy game warden would: he tuned into their livestream while en route to get a real feel for the action. As anyone could imagine, the feed was a goldmine of evidence, capturing every fish-lifting flex and more. By the time McComber trekked downriver, the boys were still broadcasting, oblivious to the trouble heading their way.
Keep ‘er rollin’, boys. | WDFW
When McComber shouted for them to pull over, panic set in. The filmer abruptly killed the stream, while one of the anglers, in a moment of pure genius, started chucking gear overboard despite McComber’s orders to stop tampering. On shore, the confessions seemed to flow even faster than the mighty river they had just been traversing. One admitted to using a barbed hook, a definite no-no in that area to ensure easier catch-and-release, while the other fessed up to fishing after hitting his daily adult salmon limit, a violation known as “attempting to exceed a limit,” compounded by failing to log catches on his catch card.
“The livestream provided clear evidence of multiple recreational fishing violations,” WDFW said in a Facebook post about the realtime crimes.
Both anglers were slapped with citations on the spot. While exact fines weren’t disclosed, Washington’s penalties for such infractions can hit hundreds of dollars per violation, with potential gear confiscation or license suspensions if the case escalates.
The angling community didn’t hold back, roasting the livestreamers online for jeopardy of endangering fragile fish runs for a shot at social media stardom. Comments ranged from eye-rolling memes to outright frustration, with many pointing out that proper fish handling is critical to preserving fisheries for future seasons.
“It is unlawful to totally remove salmon, steelhead, or Dolly Varden/bull trout from the water if it is unlawful to retain those fish, or if the angler subsequently releases it,” the post went on to read. “This rule is in place to help with handling mortality. It is not only illegal, but it is also one of the best things anglers can do to ensure we have these fisheries in the future.”
No names were released, likely to protect privacy (for YouTubers, really?!?!), and the story remains yet another cautionary tale for the digital age. If you’re going to broadcast your outdoor adventures in search of fame and fortune, keep it within the confines of the law - unless, of course, you are looking for that unexpected guest appearance from your local game warden.
