I don’t like writing negative reports so please forgive me in advance. I now remember why I don’t like to fish opening day weekend at a newly opened lake. This morning I launched at Heart Lake at about 6:40 am. There were maybe 10 boats on the lake but the beach was lined with lots of folks, many who were loud with noisy whining / yelling kids. How nice!

I began trolling the lake and as always as a courtesy to other boaters I made a conscious effort to stay clear of the boats with bait fishermen in them as well as others trolling in the area. I passed by a boat that was anchored and was about 70 feet from them when the clueless adult in the back of the boat thought it was okay to cast his presentation to the rear of my boat about 10 feet away, and literally over my line. I wanted to go over to their boat and throttle him but remained calm and sped up to avoid hooking his line. A short time later a 40’s aged male in a just launched boat thought it was fitting and acceptable behavior to literally yell at the top of his lungs to another boat across the lake from him, to come over to him. Twice!

People amaze me with their lack of consideration for others. Gone are the days of courtesy on a lake, where adults kept their screaming kids quiet and made sure their own actions didn’t disrupt others around them. I remember as a young boy how my dad taught me to keep my voice low, especially in the morning, and how he always made sure he and I didn’t disrupt someone else on the lake or at the launch. Today’s trip reminded me of sitting down to dinner at a restaurant and having to listen to the kids at the next table argue and yell as the clueless parents just sit there and allow it not caring how the noise may affect others around them.

Anyway, after hooking 2 fish (both spit the hook prior to landing), I’d had enough and at 8:10 am fought through the now very busy launch and got the heck out of there. When I left the lake, there were 35 boats on the water and more waiting to launch. What a nightmare and a waste of time! The decision to fish this lake today and the unpleasant experience I had was my fault and my fault only. I should have known better after 39 years of fishing in Washington. Lesson learned. I hope.

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