The USFS law enforcement officer then requested that Sommers and Game Warden Perry Brown assist in the investigation, and Sommers obtained the search warrant.

Arnold and Brown “knew the videos were from the South Fork Flathead River drainage and its tributaries based upon their experience and knowledge gained from patrolling the Bob Marshall Wilderness,” Fraley said. “Footage on the website, specifically a teaser clip for an upcoming video to be introduced at the Fly Fishing Film Tour debuting in Missoula, showed individuals fishing for and catching bull trout in waters that can readily be identified as not being on the main stem of the South Fork Flathead River.”

Active or intentional fishing for bull trout can only occur on the main stem of the South Fork Flathead, and only by anglers in possession of a bull trout catch card, according to FWP regulations.

FWP Warden Capt. Lee Anderson said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets the rules and regulations that FWP must follow in order to allow anglers to fish for a threatened species, and “We have to show people we’re abiding by the rules. That’s why those tributaries are closed, because they’re spawning areas.”

The privilege of fishing for bull trout “could go away” if people abuse it, Anderson said.

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