Monday, March 31st

I hope you all have your new fishing licenses.

You'll need them if you plan to fish the many lakes that open on April 1st in the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge south of Potholes Reservoir.

There are scores of lakes that open to trout fishing on the first, and you can plan to catch everything from yearling rainbow of close to a foot long, to some big carryovers in some of the walk-in lakes.

It would be worth a stop at the tackle shop at Mar Don Resort to pick up a map of these lakes. They have the best one I know of there.

While you're there you should also pick up a registration form for the annual Columbia Basin Kids Fishing Derby.

The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District hosts this event at Connelly Park, which will be held on Saturday, April 12th. There will be lots of fish to be caught and other activities for the kids.

There are some terrific prizes to be handed out to lucky anglers and free hot dogs and Pepsi for everyone that attends. You must pre-register for the event, though, and you can do so at Mar Don Resort, Airway Heights Deli, Lakes Market, and Dairy Queen in Moses Lake.

Wednesday, April 2nd

I spent a very wet and cold day on Banks Lake last week, but I got my friends to fish clear into the afternoon, as we were catching fish.

Bob Whitehall started the day with a nice keeper walleye soon after we got our spinners down.

We then proceeded to catch a bunch of undersized walleye, a few perch and even two burbot. We were getting enough action to just barely distract us from the pouring rain.

We just had two keeper walleye in the cooler when we left, but I am very eager to get back to Banks, as I know that the walleye are biting and we'll do better next time.

I wanted anyone that would be interested in going on our trip to Belize at the end of May that we had a cancellation and can now take two more people.

This is going to be a really fun trip and if you have ever wanted experience Belize for the various activities it offers, give Sandy at Journey Travel and Tours a call.

This Sunday is the Central Washington Bass Club's Garage Sale at the Canned Food Outlet in Wenatchee. I will have bunch of fishing stuff for sales there, so stop by and let's deal!

Friday, April 5th

I got a chance to fish Potholes Reservoir with Brian Nielson, of BJs Guide Service, and another fishing buddy, James LeBow earlier this week.

I planned on spending a couple of hours on the water with them and then checking on some of the lakes that opened on the first of April.

Well, we hit one of the best walleye bites I have ever experienced and I ended up spending all of my time on Potholes.

We motored out to the area known as Perch Point and joined several other boats that were trolling in the area. We were into fish almost immediately and it never stopped.

We fished in about 40 feet of water and trolled a variety of lures and landed 33 walleye. Most were undersized, but we did take home eight keepers.

I will be back down here on April 12th for the Columbia Basin Kids Fishing Derby on April 12th, at Connelly Park on Moses Lake.