My favorite time of the year to be on Lake WA. middle of winter, Cutthroat fishing. Hardly anybody on the lake typically, other than a few other Cutty guys, and a couple die-hard bassers.

Launched from Magnusson at 0830. I was fishing with my comrade NWFR member, 'Motoboat' We head straight down the the South end of the lake. I needed to burn some gas. Put lines in the water on the SE side of Mercer Island. I was running either an inline spinner behind a 6" dodger, or other times a Green splatter back mini hootchie behind dodger. I had no luv, no nuttin, for some time. Motoboat/Wayne picked up a small 7" Kokanee. He was running a small hootchie, forget color?

Got down to South tip of Mercer. There were 2-3 other boats. Thought maybe we saw 'The Tin Cup'... Barry, but the occupant had less hair, so maybe not? Around this point Wayne had a very hard drive by/hit.. no stick. Soon after he hooked up with a VERY chunky Cutty.
Guessing 16", but FAT. Fish took a pic, and then released. We made it over to the mouth of the Cedar River. Of course with recent weather, the outflow color was chocolate milk. (-: In this area it was noticed that I had the ever most slight odd rhythm on my light kokanee rod. I pulled it out to check.. Rod was heavy on the business end, but no head shakes, etc. As I got the fish towards the boat, it finally showed itself, and it look GREAT. Strangely it did not hardly give any fight at all until it was facing the net. Larger than the other Cutt. and a very solid fish. After a quick pic. fish was released for a good swim away. This one came on a pink mini hootchie that had a built in fin thing on the nose end, for increased action. And behind a chartreuse small tear dropped dodger.

We were out there all day until nearly dark. ended up back in Kirkland area. Marked plenty of fish all day. Fish were caught all at either 30' or 40'. Fish marked in 20-40', but some marked in 60-80' as well.

If you can get out there in this winter season, on a no wind, no rain, etc. day.. it is a beautiful time to fish.