Itching to get out fishing again, so met Pete at Green Lake before 5:00 AM, east side of the lake. Lines in the water about 5:15. Mild (temp at 64 degrees at outset) with a persistent breeze out of the southwest. Water temp at shoreline was 77 degrees (too warm for trout biting). Seems the trout are stacked in the cooler waters in the northeast corner of the lake, at least it seems that fellows fishing that area were having some success. I started with "Mice Tail" Power Bait (red & natural) on one rig, Power Eggs (fl. orange) on the other. Pete caught the first fish, a Rainbow of 12", at about 5:30... fishing a nightcrawler under a float (his first fishing that way). By 6:00 I began to change up my baits and presentation... tried marshmallows and nightcrawlers, various colors and scents of Power Eggs & Bait... different leader lengths... About 7:00 I put a piece of shrimp on a 3' leader (always have a bit of shrimp with me when fishing W. Wash. lakes)... about 7:30 I was reading the newspaper that Pete had brought with him when I head him yell, "Fish, fish" I turned just in time to see my rod double over and the butt of the rod lift off the ground. Grabbed the rod, set the hook, and knew immediately that I was into a good fish. Line peeled off the reel, heavy head-shakes as I tried to turn the fish, finally got the fish to the shoreline where Pete was able to slip the net under the fish and bring it in. A beautiful Rainbow of 17 1/2", looking for all the world like a steelhead out of the Sky. Bled and on ice, when I cleaned and filleted it later, discovered that it was a hold-over from the previous year, mature hen (developing skeins of eggs) and bright red flesh ( as red as a salmon's). Great fish!
Fished the rest of the day with only a few hits, no hook-ups. Pete left the lake about 10:30, I continued on until 4:00 PM. Great day to sit and soak up some sun. Eagle perched directly overhead for a while, Fun to watch the dragonflies chasing insects and each other... one landed on my rod and I got up close and personal and watched him devour a ladybug. Fun watching the people, especially the young ones enjoying the water... talked to lots of people who were interested in the fishing, told a dozen or more about WALakes.com... great day to sit and meditate and offer prayer of thanks to the One who made it all possible!!! PTL!

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