Fishing Beaver Lake, Samammish, April 7th, 2013

[GreyIC]

Hey folks.  I've been lurking for a few days and decided to join what looks to be a great community.

My older daughter and I fished at Beaver Lake in Samammish today.  We didn't get anything from noon to 2 PM, not even a nibble.  We went back out from 5:45 PM to 7 PM and I got a nibble on my first cast and then a solid hit at around 6:40 or so that I wasn't able to hook.  We used five-and-a-half foot Shakespeare rods with spincast reels picked up at Fred Meyer.  Our lunch bait was yellow powerbait.  We used white Gulp floating salmon eggs in the evening.

My daughter has a real interest in fishing (outdoor sports in general, really).  Unfortunately, aside from today and the last two years of licence-free fishing weekends, I haven't fished in over 20 years.  I'm learning the craft on the fly by doing tons of online research, watching other folks, and getting some helpful advice from very friendly anglers.  However, my daughter is getting a little frustrated to see folks landing fish all around us while we're not sharing in the excitement (I am too  ).

I'm pretty sure I need to add some more weight to our lines and/or get longer rods with spinning reels so we can cast out farther.  My goal here isn't a sure-thing, because that doesn't exist of course.  I am interested in maximizing our chances for success, though, to cultivate my daughters enthusiasm.  If anybody has any advice to improve our chances, I'd appreciate it.   

Thanks!

[GreyIC]

And yay for a duplicate submission on my first post!   

[Kola16]

Welcome  I presume you are fishing for trout if you are using powerbait? My suggestion would be to stick about a 1/3-1/4 piece of a nightcrawler on the hook with that powerbait. At least that is what I do when I cast from the shore. And make sure that there is enough powerbait to float the worm  I also like fishing in the morning the best, especially for trout. I wish you success. You will get into them eventually 

[jackelope]

Were you fishing from the boat launch? Thats tough. Most everything else is private so I assume you were, unless of course you live there. If you've got access to a small boat, you'd  be better off. I never had too much luck at that lake. Have they planted it yet?
WDFW's website has the planting schedule. Follow the plantings and you'll catch fish. Beaver usually gets a load of triploids at some point too if I remember correctly.
Pine Lake, around the general lake opener can be good for the kids. It will be a zoo, but lots of fish for the kids.  A boat would help there too. Still a zoo but at least you could put a little distance between you and the other guys.
I'm not much of a powerbait guy but I've fished with my kid with the pink powerbait dough type stuff with good success.
Maybe something as simple as a change of color. Put enough weight on it to be on the bottom and let the PB float off the bottom. Maybe a 18-24" leader? The water is cold too. It will warm up a little and those fish will come to life.
 
Good luck, and way to go getting the kid out there.

[Mfowl]

 Welcome! I second the nightcrawler suggestion. Also adding a marshmallow or two can help to get bit. Check the regs, many more lakes will be opening up at the end of the month and they will be stocked full of trout, ready for the taking. Beaver lake gets alot of fish and your on the right track with plunking powerbait. Might try the ole Pautzke salmon eggs as well, tried and true trout bait for sure. Good luck!

[bear hunter]

I take my niece over to tye lake in Monroe. It is loaded with fish all the time. Or I just get lucky. I like to use a 6.5 to 7 ft rod with braided 6lb test. I put a number 10 salmon hook over 4 to 5ft leader little swivel and plastic bead. The I add 1/4 or 3/8 egg weight. It casts very far. I like Bright green with sparkles,Bright Red with sparkles or Orange with sparkles. Sorry I can't remember the names of the power bait colors. You get the picture though. I like a long leader I do a lot better and if I don't get a bite after 20 Min's I recast. I try not to put alto of bait on the hook. You just need a little to make it float. Good luck

[sumbeech66]

 

Good lake for kids!