Got to the water at about 10:00 A.M. I fished the south (launch) end today. Just 10 minutes after my arrival, a gentlemen and his boys show up and park directly SW of the launch, despite the sign at the top of the hill that says "No Parking Below this Sign". Out come the bait and bobbers. I figured "what the hell he's just taking his boys fishing and he's not blocking the launch." About ten minutes later here comes the GW, the appropriate conversation occurs, and the bait, bobbers, SUV and family go away, probably to West Medical located just a mile away.

Just minutes later, a family arrives with a large, motor-equipped boat, despite the large signs that say "No Motors Allowed in Accordance With MLMC whatever". I can't remember the exact code! They launch it and I think "what the hell, if he doesn't crank it, no harm no foul, and I won't have to make the call". Sure enough he has oars too, and gets on the sticks while his wife and daughter troll wooly buggers off fly rods. I talked to them later at the launch. Nice folks they were, just out to enjoy a day on the water. It was a big motor and I wouldn't have to wanted to remove it, either!

Shortly thereafter a youngster shows up with his girlfriend and positions himself on a perch at the cliffs. I see a rod dangling a spinner so am content all is OK, after all there are 4-5 other folks throwing spinners, one of whom hung and lost a bass that he later claimed to be in excess of 6 lbs. But the spinner is a ruse! While I'm concentrating on my fishing business out comes the Power Bait, unbeknownst to me at the time. A few minutes later I see him bend over, grab his rod off the rocks and set the hook. He then proceeds to climb off his perch to water level and land a nice trout, which he carefully and quickly releases. Now I'm confused....who the hell fishes a spinner that way? The wind has my pontoon oriented in that direction so I watch him while I fish. Sure enough, they're fishing bait, and get another 5-6 trout, most of which are carefully released except for one that was allowed to flop around and beat itself on the rocks. I'm honestly amazed that he's able to release bait caught fish that easily. Most aren't even taken out of the water! Once again I figure "what the hell, if he doesn't string any up, I'm OK with it and won't have to make the call." I take out a bit later and after loading my pontoon, go over to talk to them. I reminded them of Medical's "selective regulations", ie unscented artificial lures and flies only, single barbless hooks, no bait allowed, etc. and how they'd just missed the GW, to which he replies "I'm using Power Bait, not live bait, and my hooks ARE barbless". Wow, my head still hurts from that one! And, no wonder they were able to so easily release those fish! They were good kids, nonetheless, and for the most part did an exceptional job of C&R.

What a day! Oh yeah....my fishing report! I got a few average browns, a nice tiger and two 'tweener" (17-19") rainbows while fishing chironomids.

Remember folks, Medical Lake is a "selective regulations" fishery in accordance with the fishing regulation pamphlet. Unscented artificial lures and flies with single barbless hooks are the rule here, with ALL bait and motor types prohibited. Don't take my word for it, read it for yourselves under Eastside Lakes in the regulations. West Medical is less than a mile away. Bait and motors are allowed there and it easily gets 25 times as many fish planted as Medical does.