----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 8:43
PM
Subject: (semi) Secret Lake
report
Drove up
through the gates to the trailhead of a semi-secret lake here on the
Westside. Weather was perfect and the hike was a good easy one to
start getting me back into shape for the season. The beavers have
definitely been busy making more swamp, and the river was August-easy to
cross. I put in at the first camp spot after tethering the dog to a
bush that kept him within cover and water distance. Lots of BIG
mayflies coming off. Saw calibaetis to size 12, and some larger
brown 2-tailed mayflies that I couldn't identify (almost seemed like small
Hex's, but wrong color). No wind, so the rises were slow and
methodical by the larger fish, and loud and splashy by the smaller
ones.
I went ahead
and paddled out to the main part of the lake, and discovered I probably
should have hike up to the second camp spot - less paddling, and that's
where most of the fish were anyway. Man it's been a while since I've
been in a tube - casting is definitely more challenging that much closer
to the water. I started off by dragging a soft-hackle pheasant tail
and a BH FB GRHE around and began picking up 9-11" fish right away.
I switched over to an Irresistible Adams and a black/white BH
chironomid dropper. Fish were coming to both.
After an hour
or so, it seemed my butt was colder than it should have been (even for a
float tube), so I paddled back to the dog and dry clothes to discover that
I had indeed sprung a leak in the waders. Funny how those
breathables will get a crease in the seam of the leg, and then that crease
gets a little rub abrasion, and poof - instant hole.
Nicest fish
was a coastal cutt a hair over 14" in his late spawning colors.
Bright slash, dark body, big spots. Fish are healthy and great
fighters. I'd planned on taking my 4wt pack rod when I was getting
ready this morning, but decided on the 2pc 2wt. Good choice, as the
metal rod tube worked well as a wading staff while trying to navigate the
swamp on the way in, as well as across the slippery rocks in the
river. Plus those smaller fish were quite sporting on the little 2wt
noodle.
Happy Memorial
Day, folks.
Sean
