So here is my first post to the website as a new member. Other posts will not be as wordy I promise. I have read plenty of prior NW fishing reports so here goes nothing.

So Saturday the wife said she "kind of wanted" to go fishing tomorrow. Well I saw from the outside temperature gauge that it was 30 degree’s in Bremerton Saturday afternoon and knew it would be colder Sunday morning. But what the heck it was her idea. Left the boat in the garage and headed out by 845 am Sunday across the Hood Canal bridge to Lake Leland. ` We like Leland because it’s easy to get to and has a great fishing dock.

The weather forecast was right on. It snowed lightly the night before and there was ice in the middle of the lake with snow on it. We arrived at the empty fishing dock which was snow covered around 945am. It was 29 Degree's according to the temp gauge in my Honda Pilot. We got out our gear. My wife's selection for bait was a lovely chartreuse trout nugget with the classic 1/2 oz Egg sinker weight and a 24" leader. She has a Pfleuger President closed reel which she loves with six pound test. So with those combined and a 1/2 oz weight she got some super long casts which she was proud of for sure. I used my Lews Speed Spin 200 with 4lb test and 1/4 oz weight and red trout nugget. It didn't take long before we realized quickly that it was really cold. Wool hat check and gloves. The birds were very active squawking away disturbing an otherwise tranquil moment.

I had one side of the dock to myself and she the other. The contest (quietly) was "on" for sure. Well after about 30 minutes and little action we looked at each other and said it was time to break out the secret sauce (aka) garlic scent. So after we both reeled in we doused our bait with the stuff. She then casted straight out perfectly almost hitting the ice flow. Me next and also straight out. Well it didn't take long after about one minute her road starts banging against the frozen wood dock hand rail. The fish didn't fight much at first but when it was about 10 feet away from the dock that little reel started to scream with a perfect mechanical drag clicker going away. At this point the wife was starting to get excited and was making noises like a little girl. So the next step was for me to get the net which I had close by. I took off my glove off and wetted my hand just in case I needed to grab that trout. I saw this big bright fish with my polarized glasses in the water doing it’s dance trying to break the leader or pop the hook out. I told my wife to keep the rod tip pointed straight out as not to get the line tangled in the dock pilings. This was no 9 inch plant trout for sure. So with a little stretching and good timing we netted that bright chrome rainbow. Got quick pictures and it measured a healthy 16 inches. So not believing our luck and still no-one else around we then easily removed the hook from this almost ideal looking "bow" and looked at each other. Yep we were going to release this beauty. Gently we walked to the small dock opening where the ramp comes down with the fish. My wet hand starting to burn. I like to hold the tail of the fish with one hand while in the water until it starts to give some healthy tugs. It didn't take long and Bam! Off it went.

Is there anything better than holding a wild fish and then watching it dart back to the deep water to live another day?

Well after this excitement I turn back to my rod and see it doing it's dance as well. My fish landed only 13 inches however. My wife was again vey giddy about this fact. Again we let it go. At this point my hand seems to be on fire from exposure. I looked at my wife we both said at the same time something like “well that was the best one hour of fishing. Now let's go home.”

cobrar543

12/23/2016 8:31:00 AM

Good report and great fishing partner!

atroutfisherman

12/24/2016 5:36:00 AM

Great report but where is the picture?

tmanh2o

12/24/2016 10:54:00 PM

Will try again to post pictures. It's a 5 mb picture so may need to downsize first. thank you merry Christmas.

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