I normally will not fish weekends due to the crowds. But I didn't have anything to do for the rest of the day and got the itch to just relax out on the water.

There's a ton of rigs out on the parking lot....A few people loading and uploading at the ramps. But it's so nice to have such a large ramp on Sammamish. Was able to launch without issue. Plus plenty of parking.

I got on the water a little before 2PM. I know Bodofish told me not to use wedding rings, but as the moment, that's my confidence lure.... I started trolling with it for about 1 hour and all I got was 1 little bit on it. So decide to listen to Bodofish and try out a couple of my needlefish. Increase the speed, decrease the speed. Tried to change depth to what I was getting bites with last time with nada.

2 hours into trolling and 1 bite total. Battling against all the wakes from the other boats may be a factor.

Anyways, I got my new replacment bass rod. I decided I'll tie on a heavy jig and see if i can get my first fish on it. Also had a rod with a crankbait on it. Working deep docks with my gear. I felt several bites on the jig, but 99% sure they were all perch hits. I drift out a little bit deeper onto a point and get a 8" LMB on a crank. After about 30 mins later, I decided to troll back to the launch.

I go back to my confidence lure, but this time, I switch out the pink hook. I think it stands out too much. Also added about 8" to my leader. I still have no idea what my depth is with the lead core. But anyways, I'm marking lots of fish on sonar. A several seconds later, my pole dances with fish on! Finally. I reel it in and get it into the net. I see it's a kokanee at about 15". My first kokanee here on Sammamish. It took me about a min to revive it so it was strong enough to swim away. I didnt fish for a few mins to make sure it was good to go. Kept a watch on it to make sure it wouldn't re-surface. Also, there were a ton of sores on that fish. Looked gross. I think it's what people refer to as parasites?

Anyways, I was still marking lots of fish. I looped around and make another pass. Instantly fish on! Feels like a nice fish. I see it jump a couple of times, but can't tell what it is. I get it close to the boat and see it's a trout at about 17". I go in to net it and miss. I hit my line and pop the hook out of the fish!!! FFFUUUUU

I turn around and make the opposite pass. BAM fish on! Feels small. I get it close and see it's a squawfish! Last I saw, it was swimming away leaving a bloodtrail......

Anyways, the bite is on. I get a couple solid hits but lost them halfway to the boat. Felt like nice fish too. But I need to head back in, so I'm on my gas motor now turning at idle speed which is at about 2.8-3 MPH on GPS with my trolling rod still in the water and bam fish on! Felt really small. It's a little perch. Barely hooked. When I got it into the net, the hook feel right out. The perch also has the herpes.

When I got near the launch, I put the trolling rod back into the water for a few more mins. No bites, so I start reeling it in and all of a sudden, I get a strike, lol. A couple turns of the handle and I felt it pop off.


Anyways, I dont think I will go back out on the water on the weekends again,at least when it's sunny out. There were a ton of jet skis and boats pulling skiers. Creating lots and lots of big wakes. It was very hard to maintain speed and boat control. My setup actually hit the bottom once because I got blasted by a series of big wakes. The up and down with sideways motion sucks.

I believe the thermocline is at 35-40'.

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