Got onto the water this morning by about 6:20 am, got my first fish within a 15-20 mins. It was a small guy maybe 6-8" in length. Maybe 1/2 hour later I hooked up again with an average size 12" stocker. After releasing the fish, I casted back out, let out my line and powered up my motor. Before I had a chance to put my rod back into the holder, my pole bent and I instantly knew I was hooked into something big. As I was reeling in, the fish started pulling line and heading for deeper water. Heart was pumping, all I could think about was NOT losing this fish. She finally emerged by the boat and I was able to successfully net her after a couple of chances. Being on the water solo is great for relaxing, but not when trying to net a lunker! Fish measured at 19.5" in length, don't have a scale so not sure of the weight. I always participate in the Wilderness Derby and know they release tagged monsters in here. No tags, so guessing she was a grown-up stocker. I usually release most everything I catch, but this was an exception and will be getting served for dinner.

Overall it was excellent, caught and released a handful of stockers with the exception of the big lady. I rated today as a 4 mainly because of the big female, and it will keep my coming back in search of the 5+ day!

Off the water by 9:00 am and probably was competing with 3-4 boats at the most all morning. Wilderness has an excellent public dock and great shore-fishing spots, so several people were present shore-fishing along the park side as you would expect.

The eagles were flying above the lake, always a good sign that Wilderness has plenty to offer.

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