Although most anglers are thinking about the lowland lake general trout season opener, there are good number that are anxious to find good kokanee fishing this spring. Sure, kokanee can be caught through the winter at Rufus Woods and Lake Roosevelt, but spring kokanee attracts big crowds to the lakes where they can be caught. I just learned of a very early kokanee fishery, and gave it a try. Jerrod Gibbons, of Upper Columbia Guide Services, called me with news that the kokanee were biting at Palmer Lake, which is just north of Loomis, near Tonasket. The fishing had been good for a couple of weeks and the fish were heft. My wife Eileen grabbed the video gear and we raced up there to meet Jerrod to see what we could dredge up at Palmer. Sure enough, Jerrod was true to his word. We found a good kokanee bite in the early afternoon, and in less than an hour put six fish in the boat that were cookie-cutter 15-inchers. Most were taken on a trout dodger and Super Duper, which was long-lined out the back. We also got a couple on a Kokanee Pro and Hot Wings combo off the downrigger, but fished shallow.