First Trout Plant of the 2011

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website reveals that 6,000 Rainbow Trout were planted in Angle Lake on March 21, 2011. According to the department this equates to about 3 fish per pound and the batch originates from the Puyallup Hatchery. 

Landing one of these small fry is not going to net anyone the top derby prize of $100 however there’s a great possibility one or more of them Trilpiod Trophy Trout may still be lurking in the waters out there somewhere and reeling in one of those will not only give you the thrill of the catch but also a good chance of bagging a hundred clams, too!

2010 WDFW Catchable Trout Plant

Date	Species	Number	Fish per pound	Hatchery	Notes
March 09	Rainbow	5,000	3.50	Puyallup
March 11	Rainbow	5,000	4.50	Puyallup
April 05	Rainbow	442	0.70	Trout Lodge	Triploid Trophy Trout 1.5 lbs each
May 03	Rainbow	147	0.70	Trout Lodge	Triploid Trophy Trout 1.5 lbs each

2009 WDFW Catchable Trout Plant

Date	Species	Number	Fish per pound	Hatchery	Notes
March 30	Rainbow	5,263	3.80	Puyallup
March 30	Rainbow	4,025	3.50	Puyallup
April 13	Rainbow	450	0.67	Trout Lodge	Triploid Trophy Trout 1.5 lbs each
May 11	Rainbow	150	0.67	Trout Lodge	Triploid Trophy Trout 1.5 lbs each

A Note about Triploid Trout 

Angle Lake is one of 108 lakes and ponds throughout the state that will be stocked with 50,000 triploid trout that average 1½ pounds each. These trout, purchased by the Department from private growers, are sterile rainbows that have the potential to grow to trophy size if abundant food is available, and if not harvested the first season after stocking. These fish are not “genetically modified,” but are sterilized by heat- or pressure-treating the eggs after fertilization. Some triploid trout fry are stocked in areas where natural reproduction of hatchery trout could adversely affect native species. 

A Meeting With The Interim City Manager

The Officers of the Angle Lake Manor Club have invited SeaTac Interim City Manager, Todd Cutts to speak at their next upcoming meeting for an opportunity to present an overview of the various projects and activities the city has recently completed, is currently undertaking, and are being planned for.  After the presentation there will be a period where audience members can ask questions, offer comments or suggestions and for Cutts to respond to. All Lake area residents are welcomed to attend.   

When: April 5th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Where: Matt Griffin YMCA, Safeco Room 

3595 S 188th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188

This is a great opportunity to hear firsthand how your city is continuously striving to improve the quality of life for all residents and to become better acquainted with neighbors from all sides of the lake during the social hour immediately following Cutts presentation.  

NEWS ALERT: High Tide Warnings For Friday

The Washington State Department of Inland Waters has issued a High Tide Warning for all Seattle area interior waters including Angle Lake. The warning will remain in effect through Saturday, April 2nd.  Those who live in a location that is prone to tidal flooding should be prepared for flooding over the coming days. Minor shoreline flooding will occur during Friday morning’s high tide and may elevate to moderate flooding during the next high tide in that evening. The city of SeaTac is hosting a sandbag filling station on the northwest corner of the City Hall Parking Lot.  Effected residents may claim up to 100 sandbags each in an effort to assist in reducing damages to property due to flooding.  Refer to the city flyer for further details.

It is not unusual for the lake to experience higher than normal tides in the spring but when compounded with the excessive amount of rain recently, the upcoming tides are expected to be astronomically high and are anticipated to exceed the highest recorded watermark set on April, 12th, 1947 when tides were measured at 14 feet 8.5 inches above the average water line.  

Residents are being asked to relocate all boats, beach furniture and other property at least 20 feet away from the beach to prevent any items from being inadvertently carried away.  An additional reminder, all beach property should be labeled with the owners post number for easy identification in the event that items become misplaced. Do not park your vehicle in a location that is prone to tidal flooding. Do not drive through flood waters. Since the water may be deeper than you think it is, the public should, therefore, keep away from the beaches during this time.

(Postscript:  This is an April Fools Joke)

2011 Angle Lake Fishing Derby

Gather your gear, grab your pole, get in your boat, and bring your fishing license to the 2011 ANGLE LAKE FISHING DERBY.  Yes indeed, it’s that time of year again when our Shore Club volunteers will be heading out to sell tickets to the annual Fishing Derby for your chance to hook the top prized of $100 for landing the largest fish!  Of course the fish must be unfrozen, have clear eyes and not be cleaned to be eligible!

However, if you are not the lucky winner of the top cash prize no worries, your ticket or tickets will be used as entry into the prize raffle drawing.  After recognition has been given to the fishing competition winners for the biggest fish in each age group, we’ll hold a raffle for all ticket holders for a chance to win an item from a sea of prizes!  Top Raffle Prize?  A 32” Flat Screen TV!   The more tickets you buy, the better your chance at winning!

But what if you don’t fish and you’ve traditionally never been a favored sole with Lady Luck?  Well believe it or not, those same ticket(s) you purchased also act as your admission to the Barbeque Lunch, too!  From Noon until 1:30 PM we’ll be serving up Hot Dogs and Hamburgers along with traditional picnic sides for you to fill up on.

   

So let’s recap:  Purchase of a ticket entitles you to light refreshments of coffee, juice and muffins in the morning; entry into the fishing competition; a chance to win a fabulous raffle prizes; a hosted lunch AND a chance to mingle and visit with neighbors and guests!

Steven's Beach - Post 60

Fishing Contest 7:00 AM - 12 Noon. 

Lunch, Awards and Raffle Drawings 12:00 – 2:00 PM

We’ll also be selling and renewing Shore Club Membership at the event.  Please refer to the FLYER for additional information.

Plenty Fireworks Over The Subject Of Fireworks

As anticipated, the public and council comment sections of the Regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, March 22nd were filled with much discussion centered on the public funding of the 4th of July Fireworks over Angle Lake. 

The meeting opened as usual providing an opportunity for the public to offer comments on the state of city affairs. An estimate of ten individuals spoke in favor of the city contributing public funds to cover a portion of the fireworks show, one individual spoke against using public funds to help finance the show citing that fireworks do not equal patriotism and in light of city personnel losing jobs due to budget cuts, this is simply considered an inappropriate use of tax payer dollars. At the point the meeting progressed to the approval of the $5,000 to $35,000 Purchase Requests, Council Member Rick Forschler requested again this year to move the line item for the Angle Lake 4th of July Fireworks show to unfinished business for further discussion.  

Community came together to offer their comments and opinions over the subject of Fireworks

During Unfinished Business, Council Member Forschler again cited that city government has certain obligations such as providing roads and public safety, however, financing fireworks is not an appropriate use of public funds.  CM Forschler suggested that a fireworks fundraising collection be organized or commercial sponsorship be sought out instead of using city funds and suggested that he would try to help in this effort. He recommitted his challenge to the other council members that he would pay a seventh of the requested $10,000 if the rest of the council members would pay in an equal portion, and if they failed to match the offer, he went one further by saying he was still willing to contribute a small portion as a private citizen, not as a representative of the city. 

  

Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher indicated that he was in favor of supporting the fireworks “one last time” respecting the earlier interests supporting a public fireworks venue when the fireworks ban was first implemented.  However, DM Fisher expressed frustration over not understanding why this comes up at the last minute each year and does not appear to come through the budget process (editors note: the Fireworks request has been included in each of the last four year Parks and Recreation Budget, however policy requires that it be reviewed and approved prior to being spent).  

Council Member Pam Fernald claimed that she cannot understand the reasoning behind the city financing fireworks when the city itself had decided fireworks within city limits to be illegal.  However, City Attorney Mary Mirante Bartolo cited that to the best of her recollection the Ordinance had been amended authorizing public displays by certified technicians under permit – additional research would be needed to confirm this.  It was then motioned that the vote over the firework expenditure be postponed to the next council meeting scheduled for April 12th.  

With this delay, I would expect a larger group from both sides of the issue to turn out in force to voice their opinion on the matter.  Whether city funds will be provided this year is still yet to be seen, however the fireworks show will still go on as hosted by the Angle Lake Shore Club.  It just may be a significantly smaller show unless we find an interested commercial sponsor(s).  Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.