by The Troutist, April 26, 2011

It seems my article on “Free is good” made quite the impact and I have been asked to try and include more in my columns. Our little magazine is finding its way as far north as Federal Way and as far south as Rochester down the I-5 corridor. On Hwy 3 it is reaching as far north as Silverdale. It is showing up in restaurants, tackle stores, book stores, grocery stores, and more. Through an agreement with Mason County Outdoors and WashingtonLakes.Com my column is being featured with a list of our sponsors.

Here are a few events that are coming up at Cabela’s in Lacey. Basics in Reloading Saturday April 23rd 1:00-1:30 p.m. Long Lake Boat Launch on April 30th & May 1st from 3-7 p.m. see the new River Hawk Sportsman fishing boat and visit with outfitters from the Boat and Fishing Departments. On May 7th from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m. friends of the NRA will be teaching a class on personal safety and techniques to avoid dangerous situations. Different firearms classes will be given throughout the day. Introduction to Fly fishing, Sunday May 8th from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. This whole weekend is full of free seminars. For more information and upcoming events call 360-252-3500.

A quick run up to Seattle to the Outdoor Emporium on Saturday April 23rd, from 10a.m to 1p.m., will be hosting a free seminar on shrimping and crabbing given by Salmon Universities Tom Nelson “The Dean of Saltwater Fishing.” Nelson will be covering everything from the best spots on the Sound, including gear, rigging, how to limit out, and his favorite recipes. For more information call 206-624-6550.

Verle’s Sporting Goods in Shelton will be offering a trout one on one to answer questions April 23rd starting at 10a.m. thru 1p.m. with local Pro-Staffers Ron Adams, Walt Harvey. Kelly Riordan, even yours truly Uncle Wes will also be on hand. We will be happy to answer your questions on local lakes, hot spots, set-ups, techniques, and more. Ron and Walt are true experts when it comes to local lakes and I’ve been told Kelly and I know a thing or two. I’m sure you will find this very informative and an enjoyable time. Hope to see you there. For more information call 360-426-0933.

Wholesale Sports in Lacey offers free fly tying classes every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 6-7:50 p.m. First come first serve, limited to about 10 participants. Free GPS classes, call for availability. Camp Chef Grills seminar on grilling, April 23rd, from 12-3p.m. Fishing local Thurston County Lakes on the 23rd, from 12-2p.m. This is for the beginner or new to the area residents but everyone is welcome. They will be covering fish ID, bait, techniques, and more. In the spirit of Easter get your free photos with Floppsy Cotton Tail on the 22nd and 23rd from 10a.m. to 2p.m. And don’t forget free movie night. These movies cover different outdoor activities with free popcorn. Movies start at 5:30PM. For more information call 360-459-5800.

The trout opener is soon approaching and families all over the Northwest are gearing up for this event. For some families this is like a special holiday even though many lakes are open year round now. The state has predicted 300,000 anglers will be on the lake April 30th. Many folks will be heading to lakes they have been going to for generations. There will also be the first timers starting their own family tradition. With the economy as it is and the ever rising prices of gas this will force a lot of us to stick close to home but in my opinion that will not damper the trout anglers spirit one bit.

For me the trout opener is meant mainly for the kids and an opportunity for a lot of them to catch their first fish, even have their first official fish story. Learn how to turn a 10-incher into a fourteen-incher after telling a tale of heroics as they landed the monster of their dreams. Yes true fisherman will be born on this day just the thought of it brings a smile to my face. With 300,000 people on the water I’m sure you will see many things that will astound you and maybe even push a button or two. You might encounter the angler that couldn’t cast in a straight line if there soul depended on it. The angler backing his boat onto the launch that takes possibly a dozen attempts or the one that doesn’t understand what ramp etiquette is.

I say don’t let these minor irritations bother you, instead offer to help out, give some friendly pointers that will give them encouragement instead of embarrassment. Try and pass some of your expertise along, strike up a conversation, I think you will find you have more in common than you might think. Who knows you might make a new friend and maybe even a new fishing partner. Think of this as a day of goodwill, if you approach it this way I’m sure you will feel better and so will that person you are helping out. Some of the nicest folks I have met in my life have been on lakes all over western Washington. With that in mind here are a few of my favorites with some stocking numbers. For exact directions I recommend going to Washingtonlakes.com, click lakes and look for the water in question you will notice a Google map that you can enlarge enough to see the names of the roads and the launches.

Kitsap County, Panther Lake will receive 8,806 trout. Wildcat Lake will receive 8,935 trout. Mason County, Benson Lake will receive 6,953 and Lost Lake will get 8,098 trout. Thurston County, Black Lake will get 10,770 with Hicks Lake receiving 12,960. Grays Harbor County, Aberdeen Lake 8,622 and Failor Lake with 5,959 trout. Pierce County, American Lake with 61,100 and Kapowsin Lake will get 20,340 trout. I didn’t break these down into catchables, jumbos, or triploids. But I think it’s fair to say that there are so many trout in the lakes I wouldn’t be surprised to hear they jumped in the boats for you to take home. So enjoy yourselves and create some memories. So until next time may your next trout be your trophy mount.

The Troutist-Uncle Wes Malmberg

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Mason County Outdoors
Shelton, Wa.
360-426-4412

Cary’s Tire & Repair
Shelton, Wa.
360-426-9762

The Hiawatha Corporation
Shelton, Wa.
360-426-4562

Hood Canal Outfitters
Hoodsport, Wa.
360-877-9444

Olsen Furniture
Shelton, Wa.
360-426-4702

Olympic Insurance Agency
Shelton, Wa
360-427-6286

RM Brand, Gunsmith
Shelton, Wa
360-427-0767

Sage Book Store
Shelton, Wa
360-426-6011

Spencer Lake Bar & Grill/RV Park
Shelton, Wa
360-426-2505
Trophy State of Mind
Sportsman Channel
Wed-6:30PM, Thur-3Pm, Fri-8PM (PST)

U.S. MARINE Sales and Service
Olympia, Wa.
360-455-0788

Verle’s Tackle
Shelton, Wa.
360-426-0933

Green Diamond Resource Center
Shelton, Wa.
360-426-3381