This an exciting day in my area. Sockeye fishing opens on Lake Wenatchee today. I expect long lines at the launch at the State Park. I want to remind those who use this launch to follow the rules posted about parking here. We want to keep a good relationship with park staff, who have to deal with the surge in traffic here when we get a sockeye season. I have been watching the weather forecasts for the lake for days and days. Wouldn’t you know it, the only day with high winds is the opening day. As part of your checklist of things to have on the boat is enough lifejackets for everyone on board. Boaters should also take care when navigating the shallow run up from the launch past the island. The wind will make it difficult to see the large rocks that need to be dodged, even though the lake level is fairly high this year. Make sure you have punch cards and licenses for everyone on the boat that is fishing, and a pen to record each catch. Wind will be calm for the balance of the week so if you miss the first day there are plenty ahead of us.
You can see Glacier Peak in the distance in this photo taken at the upper end of Lake Wenatchee in a past season, on a calm day.