Northwest Fishing Reports

Hi all, here's my story. I fished a little bit as a kid but never all that regularly. Now I've got a 7 year old daughter and a 5 year old son that are dying to catch some fish. We've got basic gear but other than that I'm pretty clueless. The closest place for us is Green Lake. I've been reading the lake reports and forums trying to pick up some tips and there's a ton of good info here.

But I thought I'd just come out and ask all you veterans - if you had some kids that wanted to catch a fish at Green Lake, what would you recommend? Bobber with a live worm? Powerbait? Morning or evening? What side of the lake? Any tips you can give would be appreciated. My son especially wants to hit the lake every night. We were even out last night in the rain. I've been telling him he's got to be patient, but I'd love for him to get something sooner rather than later.

Thanks in advance for any advice, this is a great forum.

Gabe

p.s. sorry for the double post

For trout, use Berkely Power Eggs in chartrouse, on about 2 to 4 ft of leader.
Put a egg wieght on the main line, then tie a swivel on. tie the leader onto the swivel, then the hook with power bait and you should be good. The morning is proboly the best time to go, but right now for the little stocked trout, i dont think its to big of a deal.

Gabe, I PMed you some info and a spot that has worked real well for me in the past. Also, the spot can be windy so bundle up. Good Luck!

JT26 wrote:For trout, use Berkely Power Eggs in chartrouse, on about 2 to 4 ft of leader.
Put a egg wieght on the main line, then tie a swivel on. tie the leader onto the swivel, then the hook with power bait and you should be good. The morning is proboly the best time to go, but right now for the little stocked trout, i dont think its to big of a deal.

JT's idea is perfect. You can always try the old worm and bobber trick. I wouldn't go run to the store and load up just yet. Stick with the basics and if you and the kids really enjoy fishing you can upgrade later. As always with the kids"Patience,patience and a little more patience.

JT, danno, and Kevin, thanks for the tips. We will try them out starting tomorrow and report back.

This is slightly different than what you are sking, and I obviously have no idea about the budget you have. But I first fell in love with fishing when my Dad took me to a trout farm in Sandy, Oregon. Not sure if there is one in your area, but its guaranteed good fishing. THe other tips you were given, are great by the way. Egg sinker with leader is always good.

zbo wrote:This is slightly different than what you are sking, and I obviously have no idea about the budget you have. But I first fell in love with fishing when my Dad took me to a trout farm in Sandy, Oregon. Not sure if there is one in your area, but its guaranteed good fishing. THe other tips you were given, are great by the way. Egg sinker with leader is always good.

Thats another choice for you and your kids gabe. Theres one in Renton and i think Sumner or somewhere down there. Ill post the info soon.

JT26 wrote:

zbo wrote:This is slightly different than what you are sking, and I obviously have no idea about the budget you have. But I first fell in love with fishing when my Dad took me to a trout farm in Sandy, Oregon. Not sure if there is one in your area, but its guaranteed good fishing. THe other tips you were given, are great by the way. Egg sinker with leader is always good.

Thats another choice for you and your kids gabe. Theres one in Renton and i think Sumner or somewhere down there. Ill post the info soon.

Trout Lodge runs a U-FISH located in Orting. Its a few miles south of Sumner and then the Trout Lodge Head Quarters is located in Sumner(but no U-FISH) I take my son here every now and then. Just monster triploids that you can feed. Really cool.

OK here.
The one in Renton is call Springbrook Trout Farm. It has no website so just google it.
I cant find any info on the one down south. i forgot the city its in. -edit- its in orting.

JT26 wrote:OK here.
The one in Renton is call Springbrook Trout Farm. It has no website so just google it.
I cant find any info on the one down south. i forgot the city its in.

All good JT,

www.troutlodge.com

zbo wrote:This is slightly different than what you are sking, and I obviously have no idea about the budget you have. But I first fell in love with fishing when my Dad took me to a trout farm in Sandy, Oregon. Not sure if there is one in your area, but its guaranteed good fishing. THe other tips you were given, are great by the way. Egg sinker with leader is always good.

My dad refused to take me to the trout farm. :pale:

Derrick-k wrote:

zbo wrote:This is slightly different than what you are sking, and I obviously have no idea about the budget you have. But I first fell in love with fishing when my Dad took me to a trout farm in Sandy, Oregon. Not sure if there is one in your area, but its guaranteed good fishing. THe other tips you were given, are great by the way. Egg sinker with leader is always good.

My dad refused to take me to the trout farm. :pale:

haha so did mine. i asked him before i learned how to really catch fish.

I'm in a very similar situation. I just took my 6-year old out fishing for the first time last week - and again, for the second time, yesterday - and like you I opted for Green Lake because it's close to home. He hasn't caught anything yet - the fishing was terrible the first time (no one around us was getting any bites), and he was cold and fighting the sniffles yesterday so we left before we could give it a good try. Anyway, I figure that bobber fishing is a good introduction, because it's relatively easy to cast and it's easy to see if you get a bite. Does anyone have any strong disagreement with my line of reasoning?

It can be on and off right now until the next batch of stockers get here. I do okay with power bait, rainbow color using an eggsinker and hook. Just cast it out and wait. Afternoons and evenings will work. Try the docks, next to the aquatheatre or the dock at the south end of the lake.

Every year there's kids fishing thing provided by the WDFW, great deal, for 5 bucks you get a rodnreel, tshirt and catch two trout in a pen area at the North end of the lake. http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/youth/fishing_kids.htm

More info on the April 19 Green Lake kids fishing day...

http://www.seattlechannel.org/news/deta ... 11&Dept=14

Registration is now under way for both events. To sign up any child from age 5 to 14, do one of the following:

Sign up online at www.seattle.gov/parks - just click on SPARC.
Call the Parks Business Service Center at 206-684-5177 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.


And another link for help introducing kids to fishing:

http://www.aa-fishing.com/wa/washington ... shing.html

I read about the Green Lake fishing day, and I thought it sounded like a pretty good deal. I'm planning to take my kid. If anyone else is interested, you should be aware that the signup deadline is this Friday (April 11). There's also an identical event at Seward Park on May 17 - sign up (at the same Seattle Parks dept. website mentioned above) by May 9.

maybe you can start to teach them how to cast and retrieve a little spinner bait/rooster tail type lure. Even if you don't catch something, it can keep them active and involved. Remember to pinch the barbs on your hooks down, so you can release your fish easier and healthier.

Clam Man

great idea, I got my kids spin casting with open reels pretty early on to get them more involved