Largely due to poor weather conditions the turnout for the April Fools opener was very low this year and the catch rates were low as well. No one was observed fishing the Pillar-Widgeon Chain of lakes, and those who tried the Hamptons and Teals had disappointing results. The catch rate was less than two fish per angler on average. The size of the fish taken was big, though, with most fish ranging size from 14 to 18 inches.

Of the lakes that opened on April 1st the real standout was Dry Falls Lake, which is north of Soap Lake. This popular quality water is fished mainly by fly anglers and they had a great time on Dry Falls on the opener. In spite of the wind and rain the anglers that fished the lake caught and released 20 to 50 fish each. The trout were a mix of rainbow, browns and tiger trout and ranged in size from 10 to over 20 inches in length.

The weather forecast for the coming weekend calls for temperatures above 60 degrees on Sunday. The trout and spiny ray action on the lake in the Columbia Wildlife Refuge, or the Seep Lakes as I call them should improve dramatically was the water warms