Lake: Green (King)
Date: 4/18
Time: 4:30PM to 7:150PM
Temp: 58-60 f.
Wind: S-SW calm to 05MPH
Weather: Sunbreaks with clouds. Mostly calm winds.

GEAR USED: A generic 7’ spin rod with a (Swedish made, circa 1973) Zebco Cardinal 3 with 4# DuPont Stren (clear/blue) and a Luhr Jensen 3/16 oz. hammered brass w/orange fire stripe Krocodile with a size 1 Gamakatsu Siwash hook w/barb.

Day two for me at Green Lake this week, and much better weather than Easter Sunday. I decided to fish the northeast side of the lake today. The northeast corner (near E. Green Lake Way N. & N. 66th St.) is really cool because the depth drops off immediately from the shoreline and fish tend to cruise within sight of the shore. This area can really kick ass sometimes but after throwing my Kroc at them for over 30 minutes without so much as a nibble, and with no signs whatsoever of any fish activity, I decided to start working my way south down the east shore.

I passed one Russian as I walked and he indicated to me in broken English that he had caught one (carp.) making motions that it was not a very impressive fish and I didn’t ask to see it. When I reached the east shore fishing dock (near the bathrooms by 64th street) there were several others fishing there, one of whom had just scored a 10” ‘bow on some power bait. Well that’s all fine I thought but I ain’t gunna do the power bait thing for no amount of money or boredom.

I bummed a smoke from one of the youngsters who was swilling a Mickey’s 22 ouncer and started casting. As I started the retrieve on my second cast my rod tip bent like a son of a carp and I set the hook on something that was no 10” rainbow. This fish immediately came to the surface and started spinning acrobatic twisting flips; acting more like some salmon than trout. This fish was larger and was putting up quite a tussle. He was about 15” and as I got him in closer he looked kinda…well…different.

One of the kids had a net and I let him net it as this fish was a bit big for hoisting with 4 pound test. He started stabbing wildly and I coached him on patience and how to wait for me to slip the fish in. “Look at them dots” I said. This was no ‘bow. And the funny thing is, this was no Brown either. WTF? Have they planted Atlantic Salmon in here? This fish looked very much like an atlantic…but WTF? Since when are they putting Atlantics in? I remember about 15 years ago they put some Chinook in Green Lake that provided a great fishery until they were gone, but Atlantic?

The spots were large and black with none on the tail and the fish had 9 anal fin rays. While it appeared to be somewhat similar to a Brown, I’ve caught Browns in Green Lake for years, and I’ve never seen one that looked like this. I'll be calling the WDFW biologist tomorrow and see what he says.

Well since the fish really aren’t top feeding yet it is kinda hard to figure out where the fish are. I spent almost an hour casting for naught. One of the kids got a bite on his power bait and I immediately flipped my Kroc out that direction and was answered with a strong hit and a flash of silver. Rainbow. Another ten incher, but damn these guys are fat & feisty. I added him to my stringer.

Same deal 10 minutes later. Dude hooks a fish on power bait and I cast that direction and score another ‘bow for my stringer. At 7:15PM I started packing my stuff for a long tortuous Metro bus ride to the south end (yeah – I’m car-less!) I made my announcement to the fish: “LAST CAST!” I yelled and flung my Kroc toward the western shore. SMACK! Another 15” Atlantic slams my Kroc and the nice kid did a much better job with the net this time.

Four fish and a bit of a tan. Who can beat that?


SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL READERS: While away for several months, I had my car stolen and my apartment ransacked. I pretty much lost everything of value but the biggest heartache of all is the loss of my two prize rods. One is an 8 ½ foot and the other is a 9 foot. They are glass fly blanks tied for spinning. One is brown and one is black. They have purple and gold wrap on single seat ceramic guides and my name (Ben”Jammin”) and my phone number (206.228.2917) are painted on each rod. If you see these rods, I’d love to hear from you! And I’m always game for a road trip so if you need a buddy, give me a call or drop me an email @ benschroeter@comcast.net --- Thanks! Ben

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