This was my first time going out on opening day so I didn't know what to expect. We got to the lake at 6:05 and there was a line at the boat launch and the dock was packed! We stood in line to rent a boat and ended up getting the last motor. It was cold but once the sun peaked over the mountains and clouds it felt nice and warm. We hit the water at about 7 and were sitting just off the boat launch rigging our poles. My boy chose a set of pop gear with a gold kastmaster. I had him practice tying his own knots for the last couple weeks and he did a good job but was having trouble with his drag. We're still just sitting there getting our gear ready and I take his pole to adjust the drag. The line drops into the water about 6 feet and suddenly I feel that old familiar tug....fish on! Apparently the little perch like the flash of the kastmaster...good omen.

We trolled along the north edge of the lake where we've always had success and saw all the docks with people on them catching fish. I ran pop gear with a Thomas Buoyant RT spoon. I hooked up first, a small stocker that I didn't want to keep but he was hooked too hard to release. After 30 minutes or so my boy switched up to a wedding ring, then a Blue Fox spinner, then finally figured he'd go with what was working for me since I had my 3rd in the boat, a nice fat hold over. He put on a silver and green spoon and a short time later had his first fish and he was so excited to catch his first fish on gear he tied. We both released a few smaller ones hoping to get the big boys but all we managed was five 9" stockers and my 11" fat hold over. We caught 9 fish in all and the weather was perfect, sun shining almost the whole time.

Back at the boat launch we submitted our catch to WDFW to record sizes. Once boat came in and had a stringer of fish including four 15-18" all caught on powerbait fished off the bottom. Looks like the fresh plants are going for the lures and trolling but the big boys are deep.

All in all, a great day and just makes me want to go get more.

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