It usaully around this time of year cabin fever begins to set in for me. More then 2 or 3 days off the water and I start getting jittery. With area 7 closing down we decided to not fish the everett black mouth derby and instead headed for Lake Wa for a relaxing day of trolling around.

We hit the water at first light and headed for Seward Park. I zig zagged my way up lake and on the turn around we boated a respectable 18" Cutt on a Green Hoochie behind a dodger. We trolled downlake without a bite so I cut across and began to troll the South tip of Mercer. Next fish came while I was setting back my gear and was a fat 16 incher. Gear back down to 30 feet and a 20" fish decided to inhale my fly and try to head for the Locks. On the next pass in almost the same spot is when it happened.

I was eating some fresh clam chowder we had just warmed up, Clint Black was playing over the radio, I was watching one of the Bass tournament anglers kneel down to lip his catch, when all I heard was a reel start singing. The port side rod was thoroughly bent into the water and line was removing itself from the reel at a rapid pass. Got the other gear up and spun the boat to begin the chase. The fish stayed deep, not jumping and I thought for sure we had one of the many Kings that inhabit the Lake year around. As the fight neared an end I finally seen it. Steelhead! Once it was in the net I got a closer look and seen tell tail signs of a Cutthroat. a 23" 5.65 pound Cutthroat. Washington State record is 6 pounds. She had done her deed and deposited the next generation of monsters into the streambed and was bleeding pretty bad so she was quickly dispatched and iced. Had she not dumped eggs I would have just boated a record... I know it... But I am happy she spawned.

After that we called it a day due to the wind picking up and the simple fact that no fish would compare to the last 20 minutes we just had.

Gear Used. Starboard rod- 2" Green Hoochie fished 12 inches behind a 50/50 dodger. Baited with green gulp maggot and dipped in Herring Sauce.

Port Rod. Pink 2 1/2 Trolling Fly fished 14 inches behind a UV Dick Nite dodger. Herring strip soaked in Herring Sauce.

Gear was fished between 30-45 feet deep and at a steady speed of 1.6 mph. 100 feet behind the boat.

NorthwestSportfishing

"I specialize in Kokanee and Lake Trout all over Washington State. Utilizing the latest and greatest techniques to insure you have a great day on the water. The 20' Customweld Cobra is covered to keep you cool in the Summer and Warm in the Winter! Coast Guard and Washington Fish & Game Certified."

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