Got to fish this lake for the first time with fishing buddy Bob Johansen. First, a word of warning - if your truck/trailer is too long you will not be able to turn around in the WDFW launch area, meaning you'll have to back in from the parking area across the road - watch out for traffic from the blind turn!

OK, the fishing. We started off trolling clockwise as Bob humored my need to cast forehand and not backhanded. Within minutes I had the first fish of the day, a nice 2 or so pounder that hit my G. Yamamoto 5.5 inch worm (smoke flake color). Nice way to start the day! Shortly thereafter Bob caught a dandy fish that went around 3.8 on a floating black rapala. Then I hooked another 2ish pounder on my worm (lost at the boat). Wow, we were off to a good start! As things sometimes happen, the bite died off and we worked our way the lake until I caught a 12" rainbow while drop-shoting (wacky-rigged, no less!). Bob got the last fish, another LMB in the 2ish range and we were off this lake and heading to Clear lake in Pierce county.

All in all Panther is a nice, clear lake with lots of good structure and just the right size for a morning of fishing.

---