Out-of-towners and locals alike enjoyed the beauty -- and the kokanee -- of Suttle Lake west of Sisters as opening day of fishing season hit Central Oregon on Saturday, April 27.

"It's the best opening day we've had," said Mike Abbott, co-owner of Suttle Lake Resort.

"The fish are coming out bigger and healthier this year," he said. "The kokanee are averaging 11 to 12 inches as opposed to nine to 10 inches last year."

Bob Pace of Roseburg was just glad to enjoy the beauty of Central Oregon as he fished from shore.

"I haven't had so much as a strike," said Pace, while anglers pulled in fish from a flotilla of boats on the lake.

The annual pilgrimage to still and running waters of all kinds is a time-honored tradition for anglers.

Though fishing is permitted year-round on many lakes and streams in Central Oregon, the calendar-checking tradition of Opening Day still gets the excitement going.

"The day gets people to start thinking about fishing," said Nate Turner of the Fly Fisher's Place in Sisters. "They come in to get geared up for the season."

The general season lasts from April 27 to October 31.