The “April Fools” opener is a popular one. The lakes in the Columbia Basin that open to fishing on this date will attract hundreds if not thousands of anglers eager to sample their offerings. People will travel from all over the state to get in on the early-season trout and spiny ray fishing that is found in the lakes scattered from Potholes Reservoir to Othello. Are you ready? The first act in preparing for fishing on the coming weekend at these lakes is to have your license for the 2009 season. If you can’t to a sporting goods store, you can get one on-line. Be sure you go through your tackle box and make sure you are well-supplied with hooks and sinkers and such and check the line your reel. Here’s another way to get ready for the season—attend the Central Washington Bass Club’s annual Garage Sale on Sunday, April 5th. They will be set up in front of the Grocery Outlet at 9 a.m. and this is a great chance to get some amazing bargains on all kinds of fishing gear, including a lot of bass gear. I will be there with a table loaded with rods, reels, plastics and other goodies. See you there!