It is late October, the last weekend of fishing here for 2006. It's my favorite time of year.

The half dozen die-hards on the dock at the park were not having much luck in the moring when I stopped, so I went on to try the Humptulips River but was back by mid-afternoon. I put the canoe in and headed up the lake trolling a black Wooley Bugger.

The fist fish to the net was a smallish Rainbow - maybe eight inches. I returned him to the lake, mad but unhurt. A half hour later I had a 12 incher in the net. I let him free with the hope of catching him again in the spring.

An hour later, just before dark, a heavier fish put a nice bow in the rod. After a good fight I netted the best fish of the day,a 16 inch Raibow, almost too big to get in the net. I turned him back as well and paddled to the landing. It was a fitting way to end the season. But I'll be back in the spring.

---