Friday afternoon myself and some friends headed out to Orcas islands in the San Juans for some camping and fishing.  We were in a hurry to get to the ferry at Anacortes.  We were in a hurry and didnt quite get everything we needed to make dinner with the whole time.  Though only half the meals were ours we still werent ready.  We stopped at Anacortes to get some last minute things.  With the ferry time sheet in front of us we hurried.
 
We arrived at the dock for the ferry about 25 minutes before departure.  I was afraid that we would have to wait til the next one several hours later.  I pulled up and the teller asked wehre we were going.  I told him I hoped we were about to go to Orcas Island.  He said there were a few slots left and that we should make it on to this trip.  I gave him my 50 something dollars for a round trip ferry ride to Orcas Island.
 
After loading into the ferry with the truck we walked upstairs where the chairs, tables, and vending machines are.  Its a pretty comfortable trip that took about and hour and a half less traffic line waiting.  For a vessel that size it moves along pretty good.
 
The ferry had made all of its other stops. We were finally at Orcas Island at the landing to unload.  The signal personell control the on and off flow of traffic so unloading and loading is streamlined and orderly.  They flagged us out onto the road and we headed left from the landing to the campground.
 
About 14 miles fromteh landing stands Moran State Park.  The island has a sense of serenity I suppose.  While I was there I didnt see the drivers going crazy and speeding and what not.  It was a laid back experience.  Not many seemed to be in much of a hurry.
 
The campground has a large arch over the entrance and the Ranger station is right before the arches.  Pull in to the right and check in at the ranger station for a campground or other information.  The people manning the station were friendly and courteous.  They also had plenty of information to give us about the local views, trails, and fishing spots.
 
Camping was 19 dollars a night and 10 dollars for one additional vehicle.  This was reasonable as it had pay hot water showers, lighted and flushing restrooms, and running water here and there for washing off things.
 
We checked out number 56 from internet eservations.  It was a nice campsite.  It had a nice view of lake Cascade from the front of my tent.  The site was a little small and the table was angled downhill quite severely.  Other than that it was great.  Spot 56 had a griddle type firepit to make cooking easy.  Spot 57 next to us had the best view and it had the barrel bottom type fire ring.  It seemed a little larger.  The other areas of the campground had very nice lake views generally and close amenities.  Not bad for a state park.
 
I woke up and made breakfast for everyone with the dutch oven (no, the real one that you cook with).  After we ate scrambled eggs, crepes, and sausage we headed out for the lake.
 
The lake was not that deep teh best that I could tell.  Right across from the road and the dock there was a dropped of cliff.  That was the deepest and thats where we caught the most fish.  We dropped our line right on bottom in the deeper parts that we could find.  The shallower grass didnt really pay off, unless it was along a dropoff.
 
I was using the red bolognese style Colorado Culebra at the lake.  ITs really lightweight, sensitive, and can be used to steer the fish either around the boat or wherever you want them to go.  It came in quite handy with others in the boat that didnt want to move.  The subtle bites that you would not normally feel could be picked up on with the sensitive handle and rod, making it a lot easier to hook the fish.
 
Fighting 15 to 18 inch cut throat, rainbow, or kokanee on a light rod is a lot more fun than broomsticking them in, that's for sure.  The light action makes it easier to cast farther more easily, and absorb shock to light line like the 4 pound and less leaders used to fish for trout.  
 
Overall we had a lot of fun and got enough fish for dinner and some breakfast.  The Orcas Island adventure was great.  It was a great way for me to explore the islands dotting along the sound and a glimpse into island living on the west coast