Just a few more sleeps and it's here! The Opening of the 2017/18 fishing season is upon us finally.
Anglers are eagerly looking forward to fishing streams and lakes that have been closed for several months and have trout that haven't seen a lure of fly during that time.
Early in the new season many of the trout in the lakes will be feeding over the weed beds where there is plenty of food available. Smelt and trout fry along with many insects that are preparing to hatch are near the top of the weed beds and are relatively easy prey for trout.
Early mornings are best in the shallower water where aquatic weeds flourish and some of our lakes have some seriously environmentally damaging aquatic weeds, so check your gear, boats and trailers before entering, leaving or moving to another lake to help stop the spread of these invasive species.
Pest fish can also be spread inadvertently by boat trailers and one fish, in particular, is very hardy and can survive long periods of time out of the water. Brown bullhead cat fish can survive in a cool dark place, such as a boat trailer frame, for many days as I have seen them still alive and kicking after being in a plastic bag in a refrigerator for nearly two weeks.