NOW THAT THE dust has settled from the biggest fishing day of the year, the lowland lake opener, it’s time to look at which lakes produced and which lakes will be a good bet going forward.
The state only checked Jefferson County lakes, but those lakes were well attended by those packing PowerBait or busting out bobbers.
Cool, primarily overcast conditions greeted anglers, but the fishing action heated up, particularly at Sandy Shore Lake.
At Sandy Shore, state Department of Fish and Wildlife checkers counted 46 anglers who kept 147 fish and released another 54.
The largest was a 22-inch-long rainbow, and anglers were described as “very happy” by the state.
Ward Norden, a fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist who lives in Quilcene, has a passion for lake fishing, frequently casting for bass in Jefferson County waters.
He has amassed a solid knowledge base of these freshwater locales, including Sandy Shore.
“This dirt launch is excellent,” Norden said of Sandy Shore.
“This lake is a good shore-fishing opportunity . . . [it] is deep at over 70 feet and the water is clear, so light leaders are necessary. The setting of this lake is quite beautiful.”
Anderson Lake saw 31 anglers keep 84 fish and release 47 among patches of algae blooms.
In a lake as murky as Anderson, anglers should stick to the old-fashioned method of bobber and bait fishing rather than using lures.
The smell of the bait disperses through the water and the many colors of PowerBait, from day-glo orange to neon green, can entice a fish to inspect and take a bite.
Plus, fishing with a bobber is fun, especially for kids, because you can see the action on the line.
When that bobber starts bouncing and eventually goes below the surface, youths (and excitable adults like yours truly) get a tip-off that a fish has taken the bait.
Then the fun begins.
If the bobber and bait combo doesn’t bring in rainbows, anglers can remove the bobber and let the bait settle towards the bottom.
A marshmallow can be used to help float the line above weeds, which are plentiful at lakes throughout the North Olympic Peninsula.
Then, just watch for the rod tip to bend, a much easier task on a lake than on a steelhead river (as I found out last week).
So far, Anderson is still open, with the most recent test results from April 20 only yielding a caution.
The status of Anderson Lake is expected to be tested and updated each week at tinyurl.com/PDN-JeffCoLakes by the Jefferson County Public Health Department.
Tarboo Lake saw 22 anglers bring home 68 fish and release 64 others.
The largest keeper was a 20-inch-long rainbow.
Tarboo has a gravel boat launch that Norden describes as “excellent for all boats, with plenty of parking.”
“Shore fishing is limited in this brushy, semi-wilderness setting,” Norden said.
Silent Lake on the Coyle Peninsula was the most productive per angler, with nine catching 39 fish and releasing another 32.
That translates to a 7.89 fish per angler average, which is in the upper ranks of lakes measured statewide.
Lake Leland didn’t have any fish checkers last Saturday but remains the best option for the shore-bound angler.
“Lake Leland is the North Olympic Peninsula’s best shore fishing opportunity, with at least 150 yards of shore available as a county park plus a real fishing pier,” Norden said.
“Leland is relatively shallow at a uniform 21 feet except for a couple small spots.”
Boating season opens
Break out the boat shoes, the navy rowing blazers and the striped banded skimmer hats this weekend.
This sounds like the recipe for forming a barbershop quartet, but it’s actually the opening day of boating season, highlighted by boat parades and open houses.
Port Townsend boat parade
Boats will begin to form a line at noon Saturday outside of the Port Townsend Boat Haven marina for the Port Townsend Yacht Club’s annual Opening Day Boat Parade, which starts at 12:30 p.m.
Good vantage points to take in the boat brigade include the Northwest Maritime Center Pier, Pope Marine Park, City Dock and Union Wharf, all of which are along the downtown Port Townsend waterfront.
Those looking for color commentary of the event should head to the Northwest Maritime Center Pier, where yacht club members Marilynne Gates and Katherine Buchanan will describe the boats and participants.
Commodore Gerry Walsh and his boat Celtic Sun will be on hand as the boats pass in review.
Mayor David King will welcome the community to the event and Pastor Tony Brown of Trinity Methodist Church will conduct the traditional Blessing of the Fleet.
Boaters interested in joining the parade can phone fleet captain Duane Madinger at 360-385-5651 or email fleet@ptyc.net.
Sequim Bay parade
Sequim Bay Yacht Club will host an open house and conduct a boat parade Saturday.
The open house begins at John Wayne Marina at 10 a.m.
A skippers meeting for the parade starts at 1 p.m., flag ceremonies follow at 1:30 p.m., and the parade gets underway at 2 p.m.
Port Angeles open house
The Port Angeles Yacht Club at 1305 Marine Dr., will host a free water activities open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Power and sail boats will be open for tours.
The Power Squadron will conduct free vessel safety checks of any boat that is in the marina or brought to the event.
Representatives will be on hand from the Port of Port Angeles, Feiro Marine Life Center, Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association, Olympic Peninsula Paddlers, Port Angeles Salmon Club, Clallam County Streamkeepers, Port Angeles High School Sailing Team, Port Angeles High School Navy Junior ROTC, North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron of the Port Angeles Yacht Club.
Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, phone the club’s vice commodore Paul Forrest at 360-461-7435 or email pforrest47@hotmail.com.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
