I've been on the phone with Lauren Kuehne who needs some squawfish and bass for a fisheries project real soon.  I told her to write an announcement and I would see if any of you fine fisherfolk would help her out.  This is her announcement...

"A graduate student at University of Washington could use some help getting four bass and four pikeminnow in late January to use as predators for an experiment (all the fish will be released back to Lake Washington after the experiment is done in early February).  

Her adviser has a boat and is experienced, but they are asking for help with winter fishing techniques/spots as well as learning how to fizz correctly.  If you can go out with them on Sunday, January 24th (or 25th/26th) and fish call Lauren at 206.321.3238.  Or if you aren't free those days, but still want to help call anyway!"

Now you can say to the spouse, "Honey, I have to go fishing to further the cause of science!"  Take your own boat of course, but write down her number so that when you catch one (or a couple) - you can meet them somewhere to make the exchange.  Remember your fizzing equipment.  It wouldn't be a loss to see a squaw fish go belly up, but it would be a shame to see a bass suffer.  

Thanks guys!  I know some of you will respond!

OK, guys, this is the week our fisheries student needs some fish.  It's simple - you say, "Honey, I have to help with a fisheries research program" and you go fishing this week.  Call Lauren at 206.321.3238 and tell here when you can meet her to bring her your fizzed fish (squaw and bass) at the U of W fisheries dock (first one on the right after going through the cut), OR take her fishing - she's loves it.

I had planned on a full day with her this past Monday, but my wife had to go to the hospital, and I didn't get out until later in the day.  Fish were all turned down, but managed to get her one 3 pound bass.  She needs more.

For those who don't know how to fizz a fish, (I had never done it before), I used the simple method in this Doug Hannon video and it worked great.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2etof7_x8NE  My 3 pounder came from 45 feet and immediately went belly up in the live well while we located the needle (number 18) - I laid the side fin flat, found the tip, backed up a couple of scales, inserted the needle through the skin at an angle under the scale, (flat side down), turned the needle vertical and went into the fish, bubbles came out immediately, waited until the fish started to sink, and I pulled it out, it swam around totally OK and is now living at the U of W.

Please go fishing this week, and help Lauren out.  She'd be glad to go with you if you have an open seat.  She has the needles if you don't.