Enos Bradner's Lake

[Dave Westburg]

Each year in late June I visit a brook trout high lake described by Enos Bradner in Chapter Two of his 1950 classic, Northwest Angling. This year I brought with my Sharpes 85 5 weight bamboo fly rod, a Farlows Grenaby loaded with intermediate line and a wallet of Enos Bradner fly patterns...


It's a shorter hike now than in Bradner's day and the snow had melted early this year (get ready for fires this summer) but everything else was the same. I'll quote Bradner: "They hit with abandon, taking any fly that was flipped out to them: bucktail coachmen, gray hackles with yellow bodies, queen of the waters or carrot nymphs...



None of the fish were large - they ran uniformly between 10 and 12 inches - but they were fast as lightning. Their flesh was deep pink, firm as marble and, fried crisp and brown for the next day's breakfast, they were as delicious a morsel as any mortal could ever desire..."



Here's to Enos Bradner. Next time you fish, tie on a Dandy Green Nymph or Carrot Nymph or Brad's Brat in his honor.

 

[Zak]

Each year in late June I visit a brook trout high lake described by Enos Bradner in Chapter Two of his 1950 classic, Northwest Angling. This year I brought with my Sharpes 85 5 weight bamboo fly rod, a Farlows Grenaby loaded with intermediate line and a wallet of Enos Bradner fly patterns...

View attachment 70744
It's a shorter hike now than in Bradner's day and the snow had melted early this year (get ready for fires this summer) but everything else was the same. I'll quote Bradner: "They hit with abandon, taking any fly that was flipped out to them: bucktail coachmen, gray hackles with yellow bodies, queen of the waters or carrot nymphs...

View attachment 70743

None of the fish were large - they ran uniformly between 10 and 12 inches - but they were fast as lightning. Their flesh was deep pink, firm as marble and, fried crisp and brown for the next day's breakfast, they were as delicious a morsel as any mortal could ever desire..."

View attachment 70742

Here's to Enos Bradner. Next time you fish, tie on a Dandy Green Nymph or Carrot Nymph or Brad's Brat in his honor.

View attachment 70745

Just ordered a copy of the book, thanks for the recommendation!

 

[mcswny]

Just ordered a copy of the book, thanks for the recommendation!

Someone’s trying to figure out where this are is

 

[Dave Westburg]

Someone’s trying to figure out where this are is

If they take the trouble to read the book to find out, more power to them.

 

[mcswny]

If they take the trouble to read the book to find out, more power to them.

Oh no judgement. I think it’s great.

 

[Dave Westburg]

Oh no judgement. I think it’s great.

I've discovered many great high country lakes and streams by reading old books: Bradner's Northwest Angling and The Inside on the Outdoors, Bob Heirman's Snohomish My Beloved Country An Anglers Anthology and Edson Dows Adventures in the Northwest,

 

[Zak]

I've discovered many great high country lakes and streams by reading old books: Bradner's Northwest Angling and The Inside on the Outdoors, Bob Heirman's Snohomish My Beloved Country An Anglers Anthology and Edson Dows Adventures in the Northwest,

...and now I've got some books on deck!

 

[John Svahn]

I had to double-take on the second brookie pic. Did not have my glasses on and it kinda looks like your fingers are legs wet wading and the brookie is gigantor!

 

[Dave Westburg]

They look bigger underwater

 

[Merle]

Someone’s trying to figure out where this are is

I did the same thing. You can find lots of cool old books pretty cheap online!

 

[@Dryflyphotography]

Awesome post Dave! Looks like a great day.

 

[Mike Monsos]

Thanks Dave, I need to read Enos's book again, it's been a number of years since I last read it.

 

[Cliff]

Brings back good memories, Dave. I used to fish Brad's Brat a lot. And Bob Heirman's book was great. Thanks for posting this.

 

[Dave Westburg]

I used to fish Brad's Brat a lot.

Cliff, waiting to use these this fall.

 

[Cliff]

Cliff, waiting to use these this fall.

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Beautiful ties. I think I have always valued out local steelhead flies more than trout flies. So many great tiers and colorful people.

 

[Zak]

If they take the trouble to read the book to find out, more power to them.

I found a good used 1950 hardcover printing of Enos Bradner's Northwest Angling. What a nice book! The typesetting and illustrations are beautiful. I look forward to reading it. Thank you @Dave Westburg , for the recommendation!

 

[JACKspASS]

It's great to tip the cap to the ones that came before. The history and stories from the angling past on our rivers and lakes are intriguing. Sometimes i wish I could turn the dial on the time machine....