Phoenix country star Dierks Bentley fined for illegal fishing in Colorado
Sep 4, 2019, 10:32 AM | Updated: 3:04 pm
PHOENIX — A country music star from Phoenix got in trouble with the law this week after Colorado concertgoers reported him to state officials.
The Denver Post reported that Dierks Bentley and fellow performer Luke Bryan talked onstage about fishing during a festival in Buena Vista.
Officials say audience members contacted the Colorado Parks and Wildlife department to check whether the singers had fishing licenses.
Authorities said the reports alone were not enough to warrant action, but Bentley posted proof: a photo of himself triumphantly holding a brown trout in Cottonwood Creek in the central Colorado town.
A parks and wildlife spokesman said an officer located Bentley in Buena Vista and issued a $140 ticket.
Bentley paid the fine in cash on the spot.
The star helped create the Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row restaurant and bar concept that now has three locations in the Valley and one in Nashville.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
