Where will you go on opening day?

JimLyons · Post by **JimLyons** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:53 pm

It is never to early to start planning for the spring opener. I will either go to Medical or Amber here in Eastern Washington. I will also take my kids to the Medical Lake Fisherman's Breakfast for the 4th year in a row at the Firehouse. I used to go to North Silver and fish at midnight and then go to the breakfast. I think they have had it for 40 years in a row. I have been known to hit 4 lakes on the opener. That is one of the benefits of catch and release. With the cold and ice here in Spokane, we sure do appreciate what we have in the spring summer and fall. My friends ask me if we have four seasons in Spokane, and I tell them no that we have three seasons. Winter, July and August! Come on team, dream outloud about opening day:compress:
Jim

danielt · Post by **danielt** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:14 pm

Do the seasonal lakes on that side get as nuts as they do on this side?

spokey9 · Post by **spokey9** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:19 pm

i'm thinking mineral lake will be my spot come the opener. haven't fished it in awhile and i know there's some big trout swimming those waters

gpc · Post by **gpc** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:25 pm

Last year I finally made it to quincy for the march 1st opener and have plans to make that trip happen again, great fishing. I have always wanted to make it out to the seep lakes for the april 1st opener, but have nver actually made it. Last year I was out there on april 10, so hopefully this year I can make it for the acctual opener. Every other year other than last year I travled some where and camped for the opener. Last year I just went to a local lake (steel lake, federal way). It cost way less, not as many crowds and I still was able to catch 14 planters, not the best fishing but a lot easier. I will probally do the same this year, then just like last year get to Lake mineral the weekend after the opener. But we still have a little ways to go and a lot can change, so for now I am just crossing my fingers

Anglinarcher · Post by **Anglinarcher** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:42 pm

I will go anywhere that is not a seasonal lake on the Opening day. I just can't stand the crowds and the fishing is usually better elsewhere as well.

zen leecher aka Bill W · Post by **zen leecher aka Bill W** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:47 pm

I'm going to go to Sprague Lake.

Derrick-k · Post by **Derrick-k** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:47 pm

The seasonal lakes are to crazy, I'll probably fish my secret lake around that time and hopefully get some nice kokes.

michaelunbewust · Post by **michaelunbewust** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:38 pm

IM ACTUALLY PLANNING A POTHOLES TRIP FOR OPENING DAY! IT IS A YEAR ROUND LAKE, BUT, HOME TO SOME WHOPPER RAINBOWS. I CANNOT TAKE THE CROWDS ANYMORE EITHER. IF INTERESTED GPC, WE ALSO HIT 2-3 SEEP LAKES (MARCO POLO, VIRGIN) DURING THE WEEK-END. CAMP IN A COTTAGE (SLEEPS 8-12), SPLIT GAS, FOOD EXPENSES (COMES TO AROUND $60 PER GUY FOR 2 NIGHTS LODGING, GAS, GROCERIES). IM GOING TO HAVE MY BOAT THERE, AND AS THE OTHER 4 GUYS THAT ARE INTERESTED FIRM UP THIER PLANS, IM SURE THERE WILL BE AT LEAST 3 MORE BOATS (THEY ALSO HAVE NEWER RENTALS). IVE BEEN DOING THIS EVERY OPENING DAY SINCE 1990 (EXCEPT WHEN I WAS WORKING OVERSEAS). AVOIDS THE CROWDS, CATCH WHOPPER TROUT, BUT, ALSO, MAY CATCH SOME WALLEYE, PERCH, AND EARLY SEASON SMALLIES! PM IF INTERESTED. AND BILL, IF I RUN OUT OF MY MEDICATION, I WILL JOIN YOU AT SPRAGUE!

gpc · Post by **gpc** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:51 pm

michaelunbewust wrote:IM ACTUALLY PLANNING A POTHOLES TRIP FOR OPENING DAY! IT IS A YEAR ROUND LAKE, BUT, HOME TO SOME WHOPPER RAINBOWS. I CANNOT TAKE THE CROWDS ANYMORE EITHER. IF INTERESTED GPC, WE ALSO HIT 2-3 SEEP LAKES (MARCO POLO, VIRGIN) DURING THE WEEK-END. CAMP IN A COTTAGE (SLEEPS 8-12), SPLIT GAS, FOOD EXPENSES (COMES TO AROUND $60 PER GUY FOR 2 NIGHTS LODGING, GAS, GROCERIES). IM GOING TO HAVE MY BOAT THERE, AND AS THE OTHER 4 GUYS THAT ARE INTERESTED FIRM UP THIER PLANS, IM SURE THERE WILL BE AT LEAST 3 MORE BOATS (THEY ALSO HAVE NEWER RENTALS). IVE BEEN DOING THIS EVERY OPENING DAY SINCE 1990 (EXCEPT WHEN I WAS WORKING OVERSEAS). AVOIDS THE CROWDS, CATCH WHOPPER TROUT, BUT, ALSO, MAY CATCH SOME WALLEYE, PERCH, AND EARLY SEASON SMALLIES! PM IF INTERESTED. AND BILL, IF I RUN OUT OF MY MEDICATION, I WILL JOIN YOU AT SPRAGUE!

Last year when I was there on the 10th we stayed at Mar don. We had the spot right next to the dock so we were able to fish right from our spot, that was pretty nice. They were killing the big trout but we only got 1 it was still a nice 21" bow though. We also fished the hamptons, only the first 1 though and walked a way with a 16" bow. They are supposed to be re habbing a few of the seep lakes. I know corral is one of them and I think sage and maybe bob cat. Have you heard of this? If so do you know when they are going to do it? That would be pretty sweet if those lakes were fixed by then. I might just have to join you guys for that. Its a little too early to tell but I will keep you informed.

JimLyons · Post by **JimLyons** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:45 pm

Daniel,
It gets crazy over here you can walk across the lake on the boats at the seasonal put and take lakes like West Medical and Fishtrap. That is why I like the selective gear lakes like Mnedical and Amber. Far less pressure. Bigger Fish too!
Michael,
The Potholes sounds like a great idea. How many people do you have? Never been there but would love to go with some people who know it. I heard that it gets better as the weather warms up. I have a twelve foot aluminum boat. Some guys problem is they don't have enough fishing stuff. I have the opposite problem. I would love to go check it out.
Jim:cheers:

Post by **Toni** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:49 pm

Anglinarcher wrote:I will go anywhere that is not a seasonal lake on the Opening day. I just can't stand the crowds

That is the way I feel or I might not even go opening day. Maybe I'll take a vacation day and go during the week.

panfisher · Post by **panfisher** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:06 am

depending on how the weather has been, mardon resort or evergreen. plenty of lakes and fish to choose from both locations. <'//<

A9 · Post by A9 » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:08 am

Anglinarcher wrote:I will go anywhere that is not a seasonal lake on the Opening day. I just can't stand the crowds and the fishing is usually better elsewhere as well.

Most go for the experience of just fishing on "opening day"

YellowBear · Post by **YellowBear** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:11 am

I will most likely be on Soda for opening day. Not many people and lots of good fish.
I do miss the fisherman's breakfast there in Medical lake. Glad to hear its still going on.
For those of you that want any info on Potholes and or the seep lakes, give me a shout.
I would be more than happy to help you out if I can.

Gisteppo · Post by **Gisteppo** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:26 am

You guys are crazy.

Long is year-round. Although its dropping to 14' below summer level as of right now. Ill be here.

E

cavdad45 · Post by **cavdad45** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:37 pm

Sam Kafelafish wrote:
Anglinarcher wrote:I will go anywhere that is not a seasonal lake on the Opening day. I just can't stand the crowds and the fishing is usually better elsewhere as well.
Most go for the experience of just fishing on "opening day"

I have no desire for the "experience" of opening day anymore. It is easier to get to the other side of the lake because you can just walk across the anchored boats. Opening day is ridiculous and only really productive for hatchery fish that have little or no value to me.

I'll probably be at Silver Lake opening day. Likely weeks before.

A9 · Post by A9 » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:59 pm

cavdad45 wrote:
Sam Kafelafish wrote:
Anglinarcher wrote:I will go anywhere that is not a seasonal lake on the Opening day. I just can't stand the crowds and the fishing is usually better elsewhere as well.
Most go for the experience of just fishing on "opening day"
I have no desire for the "experience" of opening day anymore. It is easier to get to the other side of the lake because you can just walk across the anchored boats. Opening day is ridiculous and only really productive for hatchery fish that have little or no value to me.

I'll probably be at Silver Lake opening day. Likely weeks before.

Yep I agree with you. In fact most of the lakes I normally fish are year round or they are saltwater fisheries...It's just fun to be out there with a bunch of other boats, catching and releasing dozens of little stockers, and it's a fun once a year gig....Some can handle it, other can't....

Joe Heater · Post by **Joe Heater** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:30 pm

without question on Opening day of trout season I will be at Banks lake fishing for Walleyes and as far away from that zoo they call a fishing experience. Never really got opening day. They take a bunch of fish from what is essentially a trout farm, throw 5,000 slimy hand fed creatures into a 30 acre lake and then watch 150 boats crowd each other to show off their master angling skills. No thanks, I will be fishing for Walleyes with the nearest boat being about 150 yards away.

Good fishing.

Joe

hewesfisher · Post by **hewesfisher** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:36 pm

JimLyons wrote:Come on team, dream outloud about opening day:compress:

Like a few others, I'll be anywhere but a lake that "opens" in the spring. I enjoy the fishing experience year-round without the zoo called opening day. IF we go out that particular weekend, it will be to a lake that didn't just open.

Post by **Mike Carey** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:42 pm

Most likely Pine or Rattlesnake.

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Where will you go on opening day?

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