Troopers cite Wasilla fisherman

Talkeetna Wildlife Troopers issued a Wasilla-based fishing charter a citation for aiding clients in fishing violations over the weekend.

Troopers contacted Raymond Blodgett, age 53, of Fisherman’s Choice Charters, while he was guiding clients on Fish Creek.  The investigation revealed that Charter clients from Minnesota, Nevada, as well as Anchorage were using salmon roe as bait and 2 hooks on their lines.  Fish Creek allows for one un-baited, single hook artificial lure.

The 4 clients were issued citations for unlawful methods of fishing.  Blodgett of Fisherman’s Choice was issued a criminal misdemeanor citation with a mandatory court appearance for Sportfish Guide Aiding Clients in Violation.

According to Alaska court records, Blodgett has been in court numerous times for illegal guiding and fishing misdemeanors.  A court date has not been set for this recent citation.

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In other trooper news over the weekend, the very last Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival turned out to be a relatively mellow quiet one, according to the Troopers.  The annual special effort by troopers to patrol the festival resulted in very few arrests. One included a convicted sex offender from Anchorage, who was discovered at a routine traffic stop. Dennis Heimdahl, age 24, of Anchorage was discovered to be out of compliance with those laws. Heimdahl was issued a citation to appear in court and released at the scene.

Several residents from Anchorage and Wasilla were arrested on DUI charges and taken to Mat Su Pre Trial.

Megan Peters, Trooper spokesperson, says it was a relatively quiet weekend in the Upper Valley.

This year, the festival competed with a new festival on the Kenai Pennisula and the Tanana Valley State Fair.