Had a similar experience at Padden this morning. Orange power bait off the bottom caught me and a friend three nice rainbows. Seems slow for just a week after opening. They really killed em last weekend. We also picked up a bag of trash - even found a pocket knife in the mud, waiting for some kid to step on it.

Prior to moving to Easten WA, I lived in Whatcom County and enjoyed my shore based trips to Lake Padden and Lake Terrell. A BIG THANK YOU to you for picking up after the PIGS and their garbage. I did the same at the Whatcom County lakes and now find myself doing the same at the Spokane County lakes; West Medical Lake is particularly bad.

Also, I salute you on BBQing your trout without foil as do I. A bit of olive oil on the skin and indirect heat do wonders.

Went back again this Sunday morning (5/3/09). Woke up at 5AM and it was pouring rain. I figured that fishing in the rain is still better than not fishing. By 6AM the sky was clear and sun shining. I felt silly fishing in my rain slicker. Went to the same spot as yesterday (which was nice and clean) and caught a 10" Rainbow within 15 seconds of my first cast. Same bait, same everything. They were waiting for me. Gotta love those little fish. Then it slowed down for a little bit and had a couple of more bites but lost them on the retrieve. Caught a second one which was about 7". Wanted to throw it back since it was so small but it was gut-hooked. He still tasted good. Lost a a really big looking one just as I was pulling it out of the water. I should get a net. Then the wife showed up with the dogs so we walked them around the lake and stopped by the off-leash area too. Padden really is a wonderful park. We really are lucky to have such a great facility. Something for everyone. And the fishing ain't that bad neither.