Cumbrian magistrate -- Furniss (56) from Wasdale Park, Seascale was convicted of salmon poaching after being found guilty after a two-day trial, and ordered to pay £2,500 costs and a £500 fine. Magistrates in Carlisle heard on 1/6/06 Furniss was seen fishing in a holding pool on the River Ehen, near Braystones. Furniss was observed catching two salmon using a ‘snatching’ or ‘foul-hooking’ method. This involves dragging a sharp hook through the water across a fish, so that the hook will become embedded in the flesh of any part of the fish’s body. Furniss also had his fishing tackle confiscated.
As you see Furniss chaps are not all angels; and all the better for that, but this is not a nice case. Furniss later resigned his office as a magistrate.
See also: Fishing Magic