This is it, the big fishing opener. Years ago, before there were three fishing openers, the April opener was the largest outdoor sporting event in the spring. Perhaps it still is. It certainly is the largest fishing event of the year.

If you don't fish, we suggest you take a day trip to Sun Lakes State Park. A quick trip to the park and back is possible, yes, but instead take a lunch and spend the day watching the fun as young anglers catch their first fish and experienced anglers of 8 catch fish after fish.

The spectacle will begin at Blue Lake. Along the Highway 17 side of the lake will be RV after RV end to end, along with tents scattered throughout. This is a fishing opener, of course, but it is a social event as well.

Friends and family from around the state meet to fish and visit, plus camping neighbors meet for the first time and, perhaps new friendships begin.

If you are an angler, take the kids and a lunch and catch fish after fish. In years past, any color of PowerBait works well to catch these underwater creatures. Lakes throughout the park will open, including Deep Lake, a favorite of ours. Also popular Warden Lake will open. Read on.

From Fish and Wildlife

Great trout fishing throughout Washington gets under way April 27, when several hundred lowland lakes, stocked with millions of fish, open for a six-month season.

Hundreds of thousands of anglers are expected to turn out for the big day. Although many waterways are open year-round, the last Saturday in April marks the traditional start of the lowland lakes fishing season.

WDFW fish hatchery crews have been stocking 17 million trout and kokanee in lakes on both sides of the Cascades. Those fish include 2.3 million catchable trout, 160,000 jumbo trout weighing up to 11 pounds apiece, 52,000 triploid trout averaging 1? pounds apiece, and millions of smaller trout that were stocked last year that have grown to catchable size.

Everyone has an excellent chance of catching some nice fish on opening weekend, whether fishing from shore or in a boat, casting fly lines or using simple spinning rods and bait, anglers should have great success, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Anglers parking at Fish and Wildlife water-access sites are required to display on their vehicle the Fish and Wildlife Vehicle Access Pass provided free with every annual fishing license purchased. The passes are transferable between two vehicles. Anglers who use Washington State Parks or Department of Natural Resource areas need a Discover Pass.

Anglers should acquire and study the fishing regulation pamphlet.

Freshwater fishing licenses cost $29.50 for resident adults 16 to 69 years old. Fifteen-year-olds can buy a license for $10.25, and seniors 70 and older can buy an annual freshwater fishing license for $7.50. Children 14 years of age and younger do not need a fishing license.

Dennis note: A large fishing opener, such as the one tomorrow, means everyone should practice safe boating, safety at the boat launches and docks, plus safety when fishing from shore. Remember to have fun, but be careful out there.