I can't think of many days that fit the classic love/hate relationship like opening day fishing. Some avoid it like the plague. Other's put on a happy face (maybe after some strong coffee), and drag their kids out of bed at 4am to begin their fight for a spot at their favorite lake. I think the brood stock and triploid programs have added greatly to the 'love' side of this day (kudos to WDFW).
For many of us, opening day is about competition. Don't deny it - I know as you begin making your plans and stocking up on gear - there's that voice in your head telling you that even a moron can catch his limit on opening day. It's a sure thing. Whether you are hoping for some extra meat for the bar-b or just planning to give your dusty fly rod some good exercise for a change - you are in this for some action.
Some of us want it so bad we get a little paranoid. I noticed this as I was driving at 0'Dark-thirty Sat morning toward Lake Wilderness (just a few miles from home). At the first stop light, I notice the guy in front of me has the yellow WDFW sticker on his rear window. Uh-oh, he may beat me to my spot! Just as I begin to make my move, I realize that 2 out of 3 vehicles I've seen this morning have some sort of boat (whether on a trailer or a car topper). Well, I then realize that there is only 1 thing I can do - leave an hour earlier next time. Soon, my buddy and I are in the water and my new electric motor is humming nicely. Not a bad crowd. The first boat I pass has a couple young kids in it. A 6 year old boy shouts out, "I already have MY limit". We smile and move on. Soon Tony and I are happily catching and releasing fish after fish. I won't tell you who did better - he may be reading this, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Still wondering about this competition thing? Well, I can't tell you how many times I watched someone in a fairly isolated spot land a nice triploid, only to find seconds later that their spot is now fully crowded with folks carefully eying his bait and setup. To top it off, how about that tension between those on boats and those on the bank! We witnessed 2 very vocal and belligerent arguments between bank fisherman and boaters. The second involved extreme swearing and threats of shooting each other. As I looked at all the 4 - 10 year old eyes that were fixed in shock and amazement at this display, it struck me again at how much more to fishing there is than competition. It's a time to hang out with your buddies. It's a time to catch your limit of stupid fish. It's a time where a 5 year old can out fish an old-time fisherman. And if you're not careful, you may even make a new friend or two.
Just don't forget as you go through your packing list while planning your trip next year, to include a large dose of patients - it may not help you catch more fish, but you sure have more fun.
Well, I got a little side-tracked from my fishing report...
Lake Wilderness was hot for most, with plenty of 10 inchers and the occasional 1 to 3 lb triploid (some of those may have been carry-overs). The best time was just before daybreak, and quickly slowed down as the sun came out. We fished bait, hardware, and bait+hardware and released all fish that were not visibly bleeding (we only had to keep 2). For those willing to change things up and move around a little, the action was pretty consistent.
At about 10 am, we decided to head home for lunch and then hit Lake Steel in Fed Way (see report).

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