Hike-in lake Thursday 6/21/24?

Phil K

Phil K

AKA Philonius
Forum Supporter
I've been busy with all kinds of other stuff, and now it's time to kick off the high lake season. Anyone want to join me for a hike-in lake this week to celebrate the solstice? I have a destination in mind off the 1-90 corridor, about a 2 hour/2k' elevation gain on good trail followed by a bit of boulder hopping. Last year's nice fish should be even nicer, and hungry these days. The weather is looking good! Some flexibility with the date; Friday could work too.
 
Well, I was hoping that @Peyton00 was going to join me, but he couldn't get out of w_ _ k. One couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. I tried a new approach to the lower lake which got me into an unpleasant brush-over-boulders thrash and added a half hour to my approach. Now I think I have it figured out.

IMG_7908.jpeg

I started out subsurface but sporadic heavy rises started and I began seeing flying ants on the surface. Not regular flying ants, GIANT flying ants, at least an inch long, some of which had the misfortune of making an unexpected water landing while still doin'it.

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I've decided that you just CAN'T have too many ant patterns in your fly box. I put on something close-ish but smaller and got to work. Fish were cruising, so finding a taker was a low percentage game. One finally connected and took off; solid, head shaking.... gone. The story repeats, it's now late afternoon, and I'm 0 for 4. Surface activity mostly finished, I'm back to my usual Carey searching pattern. Turn around time; swing around to head back to the take out and glory be- success! This fish honestly didn't feel as big as several earlier ones, but was a respectable 16"+, and totally made the day complete.

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Let the summer lake season begin. Careful on those boulders!

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Phil K said:
Well, I was hoping that @Peyton00 was going to join me, but he couldn't get out of w_ _ k. One couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. I tried a new approach to the lower lake which got me into an unpleasant brush-over-boulders thrash and added a half hour to my approach. Now I think I have it figured out.

View attachment 118846

I started out subsurface but sporadic heavy rises started and I began seeing flying ants on the surface. Not regular flying ants, GIANT flying ants, at least an inch long, some of which had the misfortune of making an unexpected water landing while still doin'it.

View attachment 118848

I've decided that you just CAN'T have too many ant patterns in your fly box. I put on something close-ish but smaller and got to work. Fish were cruising, so finding a taker was a low percentage game. One finally connected and took off; solid, head shaking.... gone. The story repeats, it's now late afternoon, and I'm 0 for 4. Surface activity now mostly gone, I'm back to my usual Carey searching pattern. Turn around time; swing around to head back to the take out and glory be- success! This fish honestly didn't feel as big as several earlier ones, but was a respectable 16"+, and totally made the day complete.

View attachment 118849

Let the summer lake season begin. Careful on those boulders!

View attachment 118850
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Sounds like a great day! We’re getting out for our first high(ish) lake backpack and fish this weekend to!

Mind showing us your Carey special?
 
mcswny said:
Sounds like a great day! We’re getting out for our first high(ish) lake backpack and fish this weekend to!

Mind showing us your Carey special?
Click to expand...
Sure. It's pretty basic, but has all the right elements: A small bead head gives it a bit of flash and helps it get down. 'Not too fast; I often fish these pretty slow. A brushed, dubbed buggy body with wire wrap somewhere underneath. A Peacock collar because- of course! Partridge soft hackle. [edit: The tail is probably greenish-blue Pheasant.]

Imitates food.

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I was into a flying ant fall about a month ago on a skagit county mountain lake. Always bring ants now when I hike in.
 
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