What happened to all the stocked trout???

[TeacherMan]

We worked all day for a big ZERO. I’ve never seen such bad fishing on the Eastside. Started at West Medical. Fished for 2 hour with 5 people not a bite. Went had breakfast then hit fishtrap for 2.5 hrs with 5 people and still not a bite  went and had lunch then hit one more lake. We fished couple more hours and I FINALLY had a bite and it was actually a big fish, played it for 5 min on an ultra light and had it snap off right at the hook  Eitherway it was a fun day just being outside I’ve just never experienced fishing like it on an opener.

[JeffRaines]

I will agree with the people on page two about the taste - I remember eating stockers way back and thinking "meh" then last year we pulled in a mess of brookies out of a little lake... while I'm sure they were planted at one point, this lake hasn't seen plants in years... anyway you talking good eating! Best fish I've had in a LONG time.

[AL WORRELLS KID]

The Smaller the "Plants" the more we love them!
Doug

[WSU]

I took my 3 kids yesterday for a couple hours here locally and we caught 12.  We probably lost as many or more.  The tried and true bobber and worm was deadly!

[AL WORRELLS KID]

I took my 3 kids yesterday for a couple hours here locally and we caught 12.  We probably lost as many or more.  The tried and true bobber and worm was deadly!

[/color]

What! You use WORMS! 
 
(Don't tell anyone, but I have been catching more fish throughout the years on the same setup). Fish can't resist them.

From the Feisty Little Bluegill to the Whopping Native Steelhead, they are my "Go To Lure" that dance's just right every time on the hook.
Doug 

[swanny]

All I know is the lake by my house was planted one day, and for a week straight people were POUNDING the public boat launch where I presume they dump the fish. Saw kids walking out with stringers of small fish. The fish didn't stand a chance to even make it in the lake hardly. Seems like WDFW shouldn't announce stocking until a month after it's done to let the fish get in the water and swim a little

[724wd]

Waitts was pretty good to use on Saturday  ! 4 guys, 20 fish, pretty equal split brown/rainbow. Drowning worms in my favorite spot. Strangest thing was watching my son and nephew... my son caught exclusively rainbows and nephew exclusively browns  . and it wasn't just one pole over the other, we had them taking turns at any rod that went down. LOTS of fun! on the water at 8:30am and off with a boat limit at 1pm 

[gaddy]

Nice haul. Been 3 times to a local lake and caught 1 one day 2 on another and skunked the last. No one else is catching either. The reports say they have stocked 10 times this year. #s say 5000 a couple times but at least 4 stocks have been 50 or less fish, lowest count being 15. Granted those were "jumbo's" but why would you truck 15 fish from the Tucannon or Lyons ferry hatchery's to a small pond in Walla Walla county. What a waste of money.
On the eating side-Fry them up in bacon grease, Bacon and trout is good eating. Butter and lemon stuffed, wrapped in foil on the fire or grill, awesome.
 My last batch last year was 1 part picking salt to 3 parts brown sugar, fish were butterflied, covered with dry mix and let sit in fridge overnight. Thew into the little chief in the morning for two pans of smoke. Came out like trout candy with a jerky like texture. Cant wait until I can catch enough to do that again.

[Johnny Doe]

The Smaller the "Plants" the more we love them!
Doug

This is exactly what I saw this spring when trying to take my son to catch some trout at the local kids pond! Disgusting!!  They had stocked 2,000 fish 3 days before and we couldn't buy a bite, but I counted 15 Cormorants patrolling the 5 acre pond!! 

[gaddy]

I have to correct my last post. I reviewed the stocking data and the jumbos were planted along with the other plants.
Any way, I went out this am and was on my way home after 20 mins with a limit. Did not see another fish caught while I was there. The bait wasn't even hitting the bottom. There was a lot of movement to my spot before I even finished picking up. Small but that is ok. Caught, filleted, and on the little chief with lemon pepper seasoning in 3 hrs, including drive time. Guess I was just holding my lips right this morning.

[AL WORRELLS KID]

All kidding aside, this is "What really happened to all the stocked trout!" 
Doug