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On May 30, 2005, at 8:43 PM, Sean Grier wrote:
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Happy Memorial Day, folks.
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Sean
