I was inspired by the stunning weather today to take my young son Brock out
to a new lake and see if he would enjoy his second fishing experience as
much as he seemed to enjoy his first. We live in Poulsbo so just after 4:30
we headed to Sandy Shores Lake. It is about 30 minutes away on the Olympic
Peninsula side of Hood Canal. It was easy to find and was a beautiful lake.
I would guess it to be about 40-50 acres and with today's weather, it was
just about perfect. I slipped my aluminum driftboat into the cedar-stained
water, threw a life-preserver on Brock and we were underway.
There was next to nothing breaking the surface so I decided to set up a
spinning rod for Brock to hold onto as I rowed across the middle of the
lake. There were only two other boats that I could see and not much action,
and no noise whatsoever. I set Brock up for a little nap on the floor while
I blindly cast my fly. Not much happened until the fish started rising about
7:00. The rises were few and far between but they were splashy and the fish
were at least 10"-12". Finally I hooked a fish on an emerger midge pattern.
It was a small native rainbow of about 11" and must have jumped 20 times.
All in all we went 8 for 14 this evening and I was very impressed with this
gem of a lake, so close to my home. Brock seemed to have a great time again.
I let him reel in 3 or 4 of the fish I hooked and he seemed to really like
it. I may have a real fisherman on my hands with this second child. He is
only 19 months old, doesn't talk yet, but has already landed a half-dozen
trout!

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