I had wanted to fish Ames Lake for bass for some time but had no way to access this private lake. Then on June 3, 1988 I met Max Kirkpatrick while steelhead fishing the Snoqualmie River at the Tolt River confluence. Max owned a home on Ames Lake and invited me to fish it from the residents public access. The very next day, June 4, 1988, I headed for the lake. I left a note on my pickup dash board that I was an invited guest and launched my canoe. I was casting an 11 size Rapala and hooked a few small bass -- And, then hooked a very nice 17 1/2 inch, 2 pound, 15 ounce beauty. All bass were released. Thanks Max!