Fishing season opens

Anglers -- some lured by family tradition -- were out in force today for the opening of Washington's lowland lake fishing season. Outdoors editor Rich Landers brought back this keeper catch of photos offering a glimpse of the morning action at West Medical Lake.

Section:Gallery

Sat., April 30, 2011

Spokane County Sheriff Deputy Jay Bailey checks the boat of anglers before they launch at West Medical Lake on Saturday. The opening day of the lowland lake fishing season is a good opportunity for the deputies to contact a large number of boaters to be sure their boats are up to snuff. Requirements include: Current registration on board, registration numbers properly shown, boat drivers 35 and under need boater education certificate, life jackets for everyone in the boat and functioning fire extinguisher.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Several families join together for fun, food and fishing on the shore of West Medical Lake for the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Anglers were in boats and fishing from shore at West Medical Lake for the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Fly fishers seemed to prefer the portability of personal pontoon boats at West Medical Lake on the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Jones Yoeun of Spokane and a couple of his friend had a hefty stringer of trout -- including a 21-inch rainbow -- after a few hours of fishing from the shore of West Medical Lake on the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Alekander Dyuryagin nets a fish for Vasiliy Marshalkin on the shore of West Medical Lake on the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season. Marshalkin was putting on a clinic for anglers up and down the shoreline, hooking fish left and right. He was fishing a sliding sinker with 2 feet of leader and a hook baited with a chartreuse marshmallow and orange Powerbait.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vasiliy Marshalkin helps his wife, Vera, unhook a rainbow trout she caught from the shore of West Medical Lake on the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
An angler hauls his float tube, looking for a less crowded place to fish along the shore of West Medical Lake on the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Two anglers share a blanket to ward off the early morning cold while fishing from the shore of West Medical Lake on the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, gets casting pointers from his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday, the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, listens to casting pointers from his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday, the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, listens to casting pointers from his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday, the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, makes a cast after getting pointers from his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday, the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, reels in his first trout with the help of his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday. Grandpa didn't hesitate to get his feet wet to make sure he landed this memorable fish. It was the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, poses with his first trout, which he landed with help from his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday. It was the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Will Pegram, 7, reels in his first trout with the help of his grandfather, Rod Pegram, at West Medical Lake on Saturday. It was the opening day of Washington's lowland lake fishing season.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review