Wow! What a great day of fishing and "catching" at Silver Lake. I am considering not fishing another day in the year 2014, 'cause it just don't get no better than this... JUST KIDDING!!!
Picked up Pete this morning for a little first of the year fishing.... arrived at the lake at about 7:30 AM, Temp at the outset was a chilly 41 degrees, water temp at 18' off the pier was 44 degrees. I began with orange Power Eggs on one rig, nigthcrawler on the other. Pete began having hits almost immediately, but no hook-ups... fish were just mouthing the bait... fishing just off the bottom, 2' leaders. Finally, after four good hits, Pete reeled in a gorgeous 14" Rainbow. Fifteen minutes later I reeled in a Rainbow of 13". Noticed fish rising closer in, along the shoreline, and remembered jonb's post from earlier in the week, so I cast parallel to the shoreline, perhaps thirty feet out from the beach... ten minutes later... BAM... big fish on... fought like crazy, and finally netted a beautiful Rainbow measuring at 17 1/2". Still getting bites all morning 'til about 10:00, then things quieted down. Pete finally brought in his second 14" 'er about 10:30... I was experimenting with different presentations, added a white Gulp "maggot" to the tip of my hook... Bingo... landed three more Rainbows from 14" to 15" from 11:00 to 12:30.
An awesome day at the lake, weather was spectacular for a January day, people out enjoying the Park. Were joined on the pier a little before noon by a young couple from Wisconsin, now living on Whidbey Island, Mike and Megan. Mike is a avid fisherman, very knowledgeable, but needed a bit of info on fishing the Western Washington lakes... said he has learned a lot from WA Lakes.com reports... gave him a few tips and Pete and I left the lake at about 1:00. Congratulations to Mike and Megan on expecting their first child in July... 2014 promises to be a wonderful year for them, I pray it will be for us all, and that we will continue to Pursue Tight Lines all year long! PTL!

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