Easter Giving - Fishing Season - Water Sports on Long Lake

On Long Lake Easter Resurection is Followed by Fishing Season (edit/delete)

I've got to comment that this year when valentine's day arrived I was prepped with card in hand. A first for my wonderful husband. He's such a good guy. I'm always buried in my real estate work either on a property search for just the right home to tour or writing up a contract for a new buyer, there is always a work task close by. Steve is a dream and a trouper.

I gift every Wednesday afternoon to Thurston County Food Bank. Last Wednesday I walk into the sorting room and I found myself pulled back to memories of my grandparents candy store. Every free shelf was lined with Easter Baskets that were being distributed to families with children. Zowie... what a heart tug. I paused to ponder the multitude of stuffed creatures and cellophane and ribbons that I had touched in younger years while working for gramma at the shop. And here now is an entourage of volunteers making certain that the joy of rebirth is part of the season for as many as possible in our community. Driving home with I was thinking about how our perception changes as we age. In my teens at the candy shop it was about working to make money for me, now as we volunteer it's about working to make like good for others. We are blessed to have plenty. My mind was on the coming of Spring, my faith, celebration of Christ's Resurection and all that cycles new that is triggered by the Easter baskets at the food bank.

Easter and Spring. New growth, new life, new beginnings and on Long Lake time to break out all the fishing equipment, clean out the tackle box and get ready for another soulful season of fishing. Long Lake residents enjoy a month of 5 mile per hour putzing which follows our opening day. In this fashion the waterfront community begins to awaken and slowly opens the lakeside doors and windows in quiet preparation for the coming high season of water recreation. We are a lake that gives full access to the public and I truly enjoy the social life that is part of being a member of such a community.

I fish the way I hunt. It's about the process not the capture. My hooks are barbless and most of the time I'm just practice casting. I love tying flies and the art of fly fishing amazes me. When I was single I traveled with my gear in the trunk of my car. Now that I've settled on the lake with my husband it is always close at hand. It you decide to join us this year, please look for us at the Southeast end. We've got the American flags in lighted planters on the dock. Stop and say hello.

Thurston County has specific regulations regarding boating operations and water safety on lakes. Below are key provisions of Chapter 16.04 as it applies to Long Lake:

• For the first 30 days of fishing season (fishing season opens April 24 this year) the speed limit is 5 mph around-the-clock. The rest of the year, watercraft can travel up to 45 mph in open basins EXCEPT at night and in the morning, when the speed limit is 5 mph. (The 5 mph limit applies after
  8 p.m. or official sunset, whichever comes first, to 11 a.m. in the morning. (The U.S. Naval Observatory Web site allows viewers to estimate sunrise and sunset times.)

• After sunset, all crafts must use proper running lights.

• Crafts operating over 5 mph must be at least 200 feet off the shoreline. This must be observed because swimmers and nonmotorized craft tend to gather within the 200-foot safety zone. This rule also reduces the impact of wakes upon shore banks.

• Crafts operating over 5 mph, including personal watercraft or "jet skis," must also remain at least 100 feet away from all other craft and persons.

• All watercraft must travel in a counter-clockwise direction.

• All water skiers must have at least three people: a driver, an observer, and a skier. The observer is required to watch the skier at all times and to use a red or orange flag to signal when a skier is down in the water. All water skiers are required to wear an approved flotation device.

• Personal flotation devices must be on-board all watercraft, with one device required for each person and easily accessible. Children 12 years old and younger must wear a personal flotation device at all times if traveling on a vessel that is shorter than 19 feet.

• All personal watercraft (or "jet ski") operators must wear an approved flotation device.

• It is illegal to operate any craft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Thurston County Lakes Long Lake is my favorite because it is home, but there are 45 named lakes in this beautiful county. This link will let you explore them all.

Fish Facts For Good Health