Half-Price Fishing Trip Costs Illegal Guide Big Bucks

On August 3, Chase Putnam, of Victor, pleaded guilty to illegally guiding fishermen in Idaho in Judge Keith M. Walker's Seventh District Court in Fremont County. Putnam is a licensed guide in Wyoming but not in Idaho. In June, Putnam floated two anglers down the Henry's Fork in exchange for $300, which is about half the price of a legitimate trip. Illegal guides can charge cut rates because they do not have to cover any of the overhead costs that a legitimate outfitter has to cover, such as insurance and licenses. Illegal fishing guides fly in the face of the outfitters and guides who follow the proper rules and procedures. These rules ensure that Idaho's resources are used properly. The state allows a limited number of outfitters and their boats to be on a particular stretch of river at a time. This ensures that a river is not overrun and exploited with commercial trips and protects the high quality of Idaho's fisheries, providing quality fishing experiences for both guided and private fishing trips. The terms of Putnam's plea agreement include:

• A $1,000 criminal fine plus court cost.
• $1,618.27 in restitution to the state of Idaho.
• 30 days of jail, suspended.
• Two years of unsupervised probation during which Putnam is not allowed to fish in the state of Idaho.

It is also illegal in Idaho to hire an illegal guide, and any person convicted of doing so can face the same penalties that the illegal guide faces. It is the responsibility of anyone hiring a guide to make sure that not only are they properly licensed, but also licensed for the specific area they are going to be hunting or fishing in. In Idaho, the guides and outfitters are regulated by the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board, a separate entity from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. For information about guides visit: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ioglb/.