Well I showed up at the launch downtown around 0630. Fishing was tough. Had a couple of hits that was it. I gave it a 3 for the beautiful day. Water was 52.5 degrees which is still just a little too cold for the kokanee on Lake Stevens, anyway. There were at least 10 to 15 boats on the water this morning.

As the launch congestion heats up, just a heads up guys. When you launch please pull your boat to the far end of the dock, or into a slot at the end of the dock. If you launch and tie off near the launching point it slows down the launching process. Guys who show up can't even back their trailers in let alone launch the boat. This is especially difficult when you are alone. So again launch and drag your boat to the end of the dock to tie it off, then go park. If you see this happening don't be afraid to request (nicely) to other anglers to do the same. If we all work together we can get out there for the early am bite that Lake Stevens is known for.

The parking arrangement at the downtown launch is tough for coming out of the water too. When you are done loading your boat back on the trailer pull your truck and trailer out of the launching turn around to unload gear, tie down the boat, dry your boat off, wax the hull, rebuild the engine, (Had a couple of guys pull their wake board boat out and start drying it off 10 feet from the launch one day. Meanwhile there were 4 boats waiting to get turned around to launch. I nearly lost it!) By the way the City has a sign stating loading zone which is 10 feet from the launch on a fence. Common sense would say not good for a loading zone. The sign should say no parking.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Roperguy

4/24/2013 6:16:00 AM

It's a shame the Boaters card we all have to carry doesn't speak to boat launch etiquette.

downriggeral

4/24/2013 8:25:00 AM

Scudman, Saturday is the BIG day here in Eastern WA for the opening of the lowland lakes trout. The launch "wars" will be unbelievable! People will pull up to the launch and start unloading enough stuff from the tow vehicle to sink the boat. Then the real fiddle faddle begins as to how to get the boat off the trailer......oh my goodness I didn't take the tie downns off....dang the plug is not in...what, dead battery?? It was fine last summer; lets leave it all in the middle of a two lane ramp while we figure out what to do......polite requests to help are ignored and anger rises. Moral of the story; don't go early or at all to any of those lakes, fishing is supposed relaxing!!
As for the kokanee...how fickeled they can be; independent they are. Guess that's why they call it fishing and not catching. Tight lines AH

scudman

4/24/2013 1:09:00 PM

Roperguy, I agree with your comment. That boater card is more about where you can and can not dump your sewage tank when your boat is an ocean going vessel.
downriggeral, I generally don't fish opening weekend. At Lake McMurrey over on this side of he mountains, on opening day the sherif's office has to be present to keep the piece, sad. My goal in writing the post was to start a discussion and get guys to think about how they are slowing down the launch process. I'm all about helping others with launching as it gets me in and out of there faster.

downriggeral

4/24/2013 4:39:00 PM

scudman, Me too. I am always glad to help anyone with the launch process; if they will accept the help. It can make a big difference with the ramp time. Those of us who fish a lot are very adept at the process and must remember many folks don't get to go much. I always try to educate and not be too judgmental.....spoils the fun. AH

timber bliss

4/25/2013 7:55:00 AM

i use the wyatt ramp, $70.00 a year permit, IT'S WORTH IT. i get out on the water before daylite, now with the cut back's they dont close gate's anymore so you can launch early, at least last year, [ little known fact.] even if the gate is locked i would drive over curb and park; it is not so nice after noon when it's nice [ski boat's ] p.s. the guy that used to open gate's was not part of county, he would just open them at 7 ish then county checker show's up around 9 or so. not knowing what time you parked hence never knowing you drove over curb.

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