Sport or Molestation?

Dateline: 05/21/99

The word 'molestation' generally conjures up images of wicked crimes which should be answered with long jail terms. Recently, the well known host of ESPN's "The Hunt For Big Fish" Larry Dahlberg was charged with molestation. Fish molestation that is!

While visiting the north of British Columbia, Canada's most westerly Province, Dahlberg was accused by an official of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with unsportsmanlike conduct because of the alleged manner in which he played a large Steelhead. Dahlberg was fly fishing on the Kitimat River recently while being filmed by his crew when he hooked into the 18 pound male fish. He was accompanied by guide Pat Wilson of Alta-BC Tours and Guiding, Inc.

"He didn't do anything wrong," Wilson said in an interview with me. "What Larry was charged with, molesting a fish, is very subjective. Larry didn't do anything wrong!"

According to an article that appeared in the Vancouver Sun by Ken McQueen, fisheries officers watched the incident from the other side of the river through binoculars. They claim that Dahlberg played the fish 3 separate times over the space of 25 minutes. The Sun article reports that Officer Andy Lewis believed Dahlberg to be in violation of a B.C. fishing regulation which states "No person shall molest or injure fish."

Colin Light, owner of Cutty's Fly and Tackle in the Town of Kitimat spoke with me on the phone and seemed discouraged by the incident. He has complete faith that Dahlberg did nothing that was unethical. "I don't think a man like Mr. Dahlberg with his credentials, would do anything wrong. It's a weird scenario. The number one thing that I have always noted about Mr. Dahlberg is his committment to catch and release."

Light conceded that he was not a witness to the fishy affair and went on to say, "What was perceived from the field officer's point of view, he might have perceived it to be unethical. In deference to the C.O. in question, he might have had a different look at it as he was three hundred or four hundred yards away from where Mr. Dahlberg was."

So, what did happen? Fishing guide Collins is adamant that no fish was harmed by Dahlberg. It seems that Dahlberg hooked a really nice fish and brought it to shore. However, because of the angle that the fish was first reeled in, the film crew were not able to get good shots of it in the water. Dahlberg apparently did not immediately release the fish, but allowed it to swim back out into the river while the crew set up their camera for underwater film footage of the fish. Dahlberg then brought the fish back to shore, after which it was successfully released. "The whole thing took about 15 minutes," Collins reported. "Most of that time, the fish was in oxygenated water, and was not being played."

Collins, who is 31 years old and has been guiding for 13 years, also has a degree from the University of Victoria where he studied biology. Ironically, he used to work for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans where he took part in assessing fish mortality. "I would consider myself as well versed as anyone else on the best means of catch and release and being able to judge whether or not a fish is being treated in such a way as to diminish its chances," Collins replied when asked if he would describe himself as an expert. "That fish was not mistreated. It was not fighting. This whole thing has left a sour taste in my mouth."

During conversation with Collins, he pointed out that many salmon and steelhead anglers in the East use long rods and light line when angling. This type of tackle requires an angler to fight a fish for often lengthy periods of time in order to land it without breaking the line. The whole purpose of fighting the fish for so long is to tire it out. The steelhead that Dahlberg caught had in no way become that fatigued.

Both shopkeeper Light and veteran guide Collins are disturbed by the policies of Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans. "Last year you could practically walk across the river on the backs of the coho in the river. But, we were not allowed to fish for them," Light said. "It was the largest run ever. The DFO has no firm plan in place for this year's run, only two months away."

Collins concurred with Light and indicated that he was about to give up on guiding on the West Coast. "How can I book European tourists when I can't even let them know if we are going to be allowed to fish for Coho? Here we are, not allowed to fish the river for the Coho, but the commercial gill netters are out right on the channel while the run is on, asphyxiating them in their nets!"

By bringing Dahlberg to northern BC, Collins hoped to increase the interest of American anglers in the Steelhead fishing that the area offers. How good is the steelhead fishing, Light was asked. "Awesome. Its really awesome. On a fly rod, you can probably count on 4 hook ups a day and getting into double digits isn't unheard of."

So, what was all the fuss about? Wilson hinted that perhaps the whole incident was something personal. "I've had problems with the same officer before." Or, did Dahlberg do something unethical? Do you think what he did justified a charge of 'molestation' and a $250.00 fine? After hearing Collins version, I'm not so sure. If you think I'm wrong, post your opinion to our forum. I'll consider what you have to say as well.