Opening day a fun time for all ages

MOSES LAKE - The opening day of fishing season is a magical time, always has been and always will be.

When I was growing up in Moses Lake the night before opening day could only be compared to the nigh before Christmas. My stomach was full of butterflies and it was difficult to fall asleep.

I had already checked my tackle box, twice, polishing all of my lures and making sure the hooks were sharp.

Dad and I made the annual trip to Tri-State to reload the reels with new fishing line. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Tri-State stayed open all night to cater to anglers.

The locals would be in early in the evening, but those from the other side of the mountains would visit the store when they arrived in town. The guy who put line on reel spools was busy all night, with several anglers waiting.

The reel-repair guy was busy, also, but there was no line. I seem to remember Tri-State serving an early-morning breakfast as well, which would draw anglers from all around for last-minute shopping as well as to eat. It was a smart marketing tool.

Back then, the opener was always on a Sunday. This fact made Dad and I wonder why would people living 180 miles away travel so far to fish for one day? I've come to realize fishing is a powerful sport.

When economic times are tough, people turn to angling as a sport because it isn't too expensive and it provides entertainment for the entire family. Most families own at least one rod and reel, plus a tackle box containing a little tackle.

Even if a family doesn't own a rod, reel or tackle, getting started isn't expensive or complicated. Example: Right now, as you read this, a family of four may decide to take up fishing because of the two children, a girl age 9 and a boy age 8.

If the parents are going to fish they will need a freshwater license costing $22 each. Youth ages 15 and younger don't need a license, so if they are the only ones fishing, no license is required.

Don't fall for the trap of an adult without a license bringing in a fish for one of the youth, because you will be considered to be fishing. If the adults are going to be tempted to do this, get a license.

There are rod and reel combinations on the market selling for under $20. I saw one for under $16. If you are really going barebones or just the basics you are almost ready to leave for the lake.

A set of snelled hooks, hooks attached to a bit of leader with a loop on the end of the leader, will be needed. Also a box or package of lead sinkers will need to be purchased. These days sinkers come in handy boxes with various sizes in different sections of the box. A package of swivels is not absolutely needed, but they make life easier, believe me, as it is easier to attach the snelled hook to the end of the line.

If you are really doing the inexpensive thing, go to the garden and dig some worms for bait. You are now all set to head to the lake. Your entire tackle of one rod and reel combination (the children will have to share), a package of snelled hooks, sinkers, swivels and free worms should be less than $25, perhaps less than $20.

Wait, what about the tackle box? Remember we are going barebones here. The grocery bag used to take home the tackle will do or so will a small cardboard box. But it won't be long before this family purchases a plastic tackle box and then a larger one and then another larger one.

However, I suggest buying at least one jar of PowerBait, which will set you back a few bucks. This bait will catch more fish than any other this weekend.

Look around the fishing section and buy a lure or two. Rooster Tail lures will catch many fish this weekend also. But here's the catch to buying PowerBait and lures. There are many colors/flavors of PowerBait. There are many colors and shapes of lures.

There's an old joke among anglers, where an angler opens his tackle box and says, "There are 300 lures in here, two of which I use regularly."

The other day at the checkout counter an elderly man ahead of me looked at me and said, "My wife is going to kill me. She sent me here for these groceries, but I couldn't resist getting these three lures."

This man was getting excited about going fishing, just as I am. I can hear his wife, too.

"What did you buy those for?" She will say. "You already have 300 lures in your tackle box, two of which you use regularly."

Even if you don't fish, take a drive to Blue and Park lakes. Make a day of it and take a picnic lunch to eat at the state park. Better yet, take along a fishing rod and catch your limit.

I encourage all angling-inspired readers, to get out this weekend and wet a line, especially those with youth in the family. If you are a little tight with money right now, but can spend about $25, fishing will bring rewards and memories that will last a lifetime.

See you at the lake.