----- 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
