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Took a look at the barometer before I left for the lake and it was in free-fall... maybe not much to expect today? Met Pete at the park entrance about 5:55, had to wait about ten minutes for park ranger to open the gate. On the pier and fishing by 6:30, already one fisherman with lines in the water. Temp at outset was 43 degrees, slight breeze out of the north... lake a flat calm... fish on the surface everywhere. Water temp off the pier (at 15') was 54 degrees. Began with Power Eggs on both rigs (chartreuse & green). About ten minutes in, Pete had a hard hit, but no hook-up... maybe the fishing will be good? Nothing after that, until about 9:00, Pete reeled in a 11" Rainbow (orange PE). More fishermen began to show up on the piers and on the shoreline. Also, several boats trolling out front... it became obvious that the fish were on or near the surface, as the fish I observed being caught were by those trolling out front and by those on the piers casting various spoons, spinners, etc. Also, several Ospreys were having great success... more on that later. Increased leader lengths to 4' and 5', but still no hits.
About 10:00 a WDFW agent showed up and checked everyone's licenses... saw a couple fishermen leave!???... when he came to check Pete's license, it was discovered that Pete had a saltwater, two rod endorsement. Of course Pete maintained that he had requested the "freshwater" license and the issuing agent had made a mistake in giving the saltwater instead. Just a reminder to all to be sure to check your license to make sure you got what was requested. The agent was very gracious and simply told Pete he would have to obtain the appropriate license before he could continue to fish the freshwater lakes. So Pete left about 10:30.
About the same time I made a decision to try spin-casting for some of the rising trout. I selected a 3" P-Line Minnow, in black and gold (dark color for dark day). Thus began some of the most exciting fishing I have had in quite some time. First cast... had a hit... every cast in the next dozen I had a hit or a fish on... how do they throw those treble hooks? Anyway, over the next hour I caught five Rainbows in the 11" range, lost at least a dozen more, and had, maybe, twenty more hits on my little P-Line jig! Will need to fire up the smoker for the first time this Spring!
By 10:30 the wind shifted around to the south... began to pick up to 15 to 20 mph gusts, and by 11:00 it started to rain hard. By 11:30 I landed my 5th trout and left the lake shortly thereafter. Saw maybe a dozen other fish caught, no biggies this time out.
Was a great morning, greatly enhanced by the various avian fishers that were out. Watched a beautiful, big Loon fishing out front all morning, saw him catch at least two trout. The Ospreys were out fishing steadily all morning (no doubt have young ones in their nests now... hungry mouths to feed). Three times I watched an Osprey snag a fish and before he could clear the lake, the resident eagle had descended on him causing the Osprey to drop the fish (once into the yard of a lakeside home), whereupon the eagle made off with the prize... on the fourth time this happened, the Osprey dropped the fish over open water, right out in front of me, the fish hit the water, jumped twice and dove... truly the "one that got away! A truly great day at Silver Lake, with lots of great memories. Happy Easter all!! PTL!

afk

4/20/2014 8:10:00 AM

May you have a glorious and happy Easter too! Thanks for the report.

MotoBoat

4/21/2014 6:53:00 PM

a saltwater, two pole endorsement? I am not familiar with that, when did that start?

MotoBoat

4/21/2014 7:13:00 PM

Straight from the WDFW website for "two pole endorsement". There is mention of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. With a sentence at the bottom of the page regarding saltwater two pole use.

"Exclusions (See list of excluded lakes and ponds)

The two-pole endorsement is allowed on most lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Approximately 145 lakes and ponds are excluded from the two-pole option based on conservation and fishery management goals.

Criteria for excluded lakes, ponds and reservoirs:

Lakes containing ESA-listed species, determined on a case-by-case basis
Lakes connected to anadromous waters during fisheries for anadromous fish, i.e., salmon
Lakes managed for natural trout production
Juvenile only lakes
Select lakes with fly fishing only, selective gear, or a reduced daily bag limit for trout regulations, determined on a case-by-case basis

In general, two-pole fishing is not allowed in saltwater, or in rivers, streams and beaver ponds. However, WDFW is evaluating areas and times when surplus fish may be available for harvest and the two-pole option could be allowed".

Seems more likely ol' pete had a saltwater license, without a two pole endorsement. Unless, a freshwater two pole endorsement can be purchased without first purchasing a "fresh water license". But, now I am curious if a saltwater two pole endorsement is and option?

Stansjoy

4/23/2014 8:18:00 PM

Hey, MotoBoat... Good to hear from you... as always, have the difficult questions!!! I was perplexed about the "two pole" in saltwater, as well... the WDFW agent stated that there was such a thing... found it on p. 113 of regs, concerning the Tulalip Terminal area (a.k.a. Tulalip Bubble). Looks like the two pole endorsement was usable last Fall for salmon (all species??... confusing!) Will watch when the new regs come out to see if it is in effect this Fall???

MotoBoat

4/24/2014 7:04:00 PM

Thanks for the update. When I purchased my combo fishing license for 2014, and added a two pole endorsement. There was no option for "Fresh or Salt water two pole". Because of your report, I checked my license for the two pole endorsement. I have one, but the license does not specify whether fresh or saltwater 2 pole. No numbers before or after to designate whether fresh or salt (Tulalup bubble). To clarify, it is best I place a call or email to WDFW.

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