We are starting to get into the best of times if you are an avid outdoors person here.

Things are starting to pick up and you know it is only a few short months and there will be a plethora of hunting and fishing opportunities in which to choose from, but for right now most of the attention will be focused on fishing.

An annual event is set to start on June 30, with the opening of the Tulalip Bay terminal area. Most often referred to as “the bubble”, this fishery is locally known as a hotspot for some nice sized kings.

Trolling will be the most common tactic anglers will employ. Your best bet will be to stop in and talk to the guys at the sporting goods department at Ace Hardware or Holiday Sports for up to date information on how the fishing has been and what has been the hot baits.

This is not the only opportunity for the salt angler; Marine Area 7 opens July 1-31 with a two fish limit, of which only one may be a king. Marine Areas 9 and 10 are also having seasons open at the beginning of the month.

Before you go check the regulations as each area, including the bubble, have certain bag, size and possession limits along with varying open dates.

Lake fishing

If you don’t have the hankerin’ to get out on the big water, you can still find trout on some of the lowland lakes, but it is very tough.

The fly anglers have had the best luck, matching to the hatch and fishing the low-light hours. Traditionally just before the Fourth of July holiday, Baker Lake gets a plant of hatchery rainbows.

I cannot say for certain, but in past years they have put the fish in near the Shannon Creek campsite and fishing in that area has been the best. While at Baker try your luck at kokanees. This is some of the best time of the year for them.

Many of the rivers should be dropping into very good fishing shape and some, like the Skykomish, have some decent summer-run steelhead in them right now. Many of the guides are reporting one fish per boat on most days.

Shellfish ready

for the taking

Even if you don’t want to wet a line, but still want to get out and enjoy the outdoors you are in luck. As mentioned, crabbing is open Friday through Monday in local waters and the earlier in the year you get out, the better. It won’t be long and there will be a myriad of boats out there and a maze of crab buoys you will have to maneuver around.

Check your tide tables, there should be some very good tides the next couple of weeks which should bode well for anyone who would like to enjoy a plate fresh steamed mussels and clams or some oysters on the half shell.

On the other side

of the Cascades

Okay, so if I haven’t mentioned something you would like to do on our side of the Cascades, then load the family truckster up and get on Highway 2 and head eastbound. With the obligatory stop in Leavenworth for the woman in your life to do a little shopping, and a brat for you, head to Lake Chelan.

This is the prime time of the year to get out after some of the best lake trout fishing in the nation.

You can find many of the guides that can hook you up with a great fishing trip and if you plan on taking the kids, look up my buddy Anton with Darrel & Dad’s charter service. He specializes in taking families out on a great fishing charter.

Last year we went out and our boys had a blast. Each caught a nice sized laker, with Peter and Bert each landing a nice kokanee, and Ben caught a nice rainbow on an ultra light rod. The bragging rights though went to my wife Tina who landed the biggest fish of the trip with a nice five-pound laker. If you want a great time over there, then pick a spot at the state park and fish from the dock or book a charter and enjoy the weather.

Too many people complain that our summers are too short and most of us tend to agree. With the weather as warm as it has been lately, you might as well get out and enjoy while you can. Hopefully I have provided you with enough information to make for an enjoyable weekend.