Yes there is recent logging down to maybe 100' of the main road above the lake. The instability is obvious, but I would take the risk of venturing down there anytime it hasn't been raining a prestigious amount. I guess park at the top and walk, or use the trail... walking down the road to the lake must be safer than the sketchy trail.
Merrill Lake closure
- Thread starter JB20
- Start date
I drove by there today. They have many no parking signs posted at the top. I don’t think they even want people walking down.
Access to the boat ramp and campground is still closed to any public access.
The local fly club raised there concerns about the logging.
The local fly club raised there concerns about the logging.
rooftop
Steelhead
Thanks for sharing this. We've made a couple awkward u-turns with a drift boat because there's been no information about the status of the road. This is frustrating - and while I've not been thrilled about the increased popularity that Merrill has gained during the pandemic for paddle boarders, I'd take that over no access. It seems - at least to the eye test - that they're cutting more and with fewer breaks than in the past.
I'm wondering when you or anyone has been there last. Come Monday I'll call DNR and see if when the road and campground will reopen.
Jacksnacks22
Freshly Spawned
I've read through this some thread, but haven't heard if anyone had parked at the top of the boat ramp for the day? I went there last summer, parked and started to walk down, but then got worried about getting a parking ticket. Obviously it's not ideal. And I understand wanting to limit access. But I love that lake and want to access it. I tried driving further up the road to find another access point, but no luck.
Bambooflyguy
Legend
I wonder just how big those fish are eating those giant bugs without being bothered by us……
Bambooflyguy
Legend
Was there a Hex hatch? Surprised about the fishing…..
Have they even started any repair work? I could be wrong but I think it might be a little early yet for the Hex hatch which in the past has always been in July. And you have to be there as it's turning dark to see any bugs which would have made for a not fun slog back out.
So many summer evenings we would leave after work in Vancouver and make the long drive up there. Then fish the Hex hatch until dark and start back down the hill. Home around midnight, up at 5:30 and to work by 7:00. It was damned crazy but the fishing was worth the pain 40 years ago. Sorry to hear it has fallen on hard times but so many lakes have declined over the years.
I don’t have as much history at Merrill as you. I only started fishing there in 1999.
In my experience the fishing is no worse or better now, than it was when I started fishing there. The wild Coastal Cutthroat are the staple of the fishery and the data shows their size and population density has been very consistent for decades.
The Brown Trout fishing ebbs and flows on the whims of WDFW stocking.
I’ve heard glorious stories from the 80’s and early 90’s of incredible hours long hex hatches. Almost all of my experiences are the hatch starts at 9:45 pm. I get a massive line tangle at 9:47. I finally get untangled and retied at 9:57. The hatch is over at 10 pm
. With all that being said Merrill is still one of my favorite lakes!
I was there a couple of weeks ago. According to some locals swimming at the ramp, they had the road pretty much fixed when it washed out again.
Btw, the trail is much better than the road. But still steep and a slog.
There was no surface action when I was there. I’m trying to find a better hex lake than Timothy, which has gone downhill.
I lucked into two great nights of hex fishing there last july (I think I showed you where on the map?).