After my recent trip to "the lake" with my twin daughters, where we got a brief sampling of the fish at this lake, I knew I had to go back. So I altered the annual "boys camping trip" with my buddy and our 2 sons to do a 2 night backpacking trip. This was my first backpacking trip in about 10 years. This is their first ever. Was an epic trip, but I should have planned the hike in better. We ended up hiking in 95 degree heat with little shade. Just about killed me. Literally. Didn't prep well enough - desk job and not in great shape. This was a great kick in the seat to fix that. Didn't hydrate well enough. And should have either been hiking much earlier or in the evening. We were on the trail by 10am and got to the lake around 1pm. They boys did great on the 4+ mile hike in. But this out of shape 51 year old got his a$$ kicked. The way out was MUCH better. Lower temps, breeze, and cloud cover - only 2 short breaks needed.
On the hike in I bent down over a little creek to soak my hat to cool my head off. Something went up my arm sleeve and bit/stung me near my armpit. BAM! Got me a few times before I got it out. Never did see the dang thing. Then for 5 minutes if felt like a lighter was being held to that spot. The burning was intense! I've been stung many times in my life, but this was crazy.
That night in my little solo tent, I was a little feverish and had trouble falling asleep. Then I got the most severe cramp in my entire quad/thigh/groin I have ever had. Pinned me down flat on my back in pain and all I could do was start pounding with my fist on my thigh for at least 5 minutes of agony (surprised to find no bruising later). Once it was done and I started to fall asleep again, BOOM, the other leg was hit with the same thing. Lather rinse repeat a few times until I just about threw-up in the tent. Then my entire body started having crazy muscle spasms. Scary, but a nice break from the cramping. Finally I was able to sleep and the rest of the trip was just fine. Well, aside from getting ready to take a dump and realizing I was standing in an ant nest as they started biting my toes... Oh, and a few blisters on the feet. Oh, and injured my big toe and the nail is coming off... But really, it was tons of fun!
We got into the fish right away that first afternoon. My buddy got a nice one on the fly rod. He's still learning and eventually got frustrated and decided to stick with one of the spinning rods I brought for the kids. We got a nice mix of westslope cutties, bows, cutbows, and even a nice little 11 inch bully. My best fish was the first morning around 6am right next to camp. The others were asleep and the morning was just perfectly quiet - just me, the lake, and the trout. This 16-18inch bow was impressive. THICK shoulders. No net and fishing from boulders, so I did my best to carefully release it and didn't get the take a pic or show anyone. But that's OK. Great fish. The rest were 9-14 inchers. Average was 11-12 inches. The rainbows were experts at going airborne and shaking loose. Especially for those who were fishing hardware. Lost more on that jumping headshake than landed. Super fun though. Most of my fish came to dry flies. EHK, Stimulators, and a few random ties I did years ago with no name.
My buddy was having a blast on his first backpacking trip ever. He had trout for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And probably for snacks. Once he was sitting around camp just enjoying the view when a nice fish jumped just in front of our camp. He ran up, grabbed the spinning rod, and on one cast had 'that' fish (could have been different) and ate it a few minutes later. The ultimate catch, clean, cook.
The boys had a great time. Didn't miss their phones or electronics. Enjoyed a little fishing, but mainly were just out exploring and being boys.
The Ross Lake fires and probably others made the skies a bit hazy. Made from some epic photos though. Enjoy the pics!
On the hike in I bent down over a little creek to soak my hat to cool my head off. Something went up my arm sleeve and bit/stung me near my armpit. BAM! Got me a few times before I got it out. Never did see the dang thing. Then for 5 minutes if felt like a lighter was being held to that spot. The burning was intense! I've been stung many times in my life, but this was crazy.
That night in my little solo tent, I was a little feverish and had trouble falling asleep. Then I got the most severe cramp in my entire quad/thigh/groin I have ever had. Pinned me down flat on my back in pain and all I could do was start pounding with my fist on my thigh for at least 5 minutes of agony (surprised to find no bruising later). Once it was done and I started to fall asleep again, BOOM, the other leg was hit with the same thing. Lather rinse repeat a few times until I just about threw-up in the tent. Then my entire body started having crazy muscle spasms. Scary, but a nice break from the cramping. Finally I was able to sleep and the rest of the trip was just fine. Well, aside from getting ready to take a dump and realizing I was standing in an ant nest as they started biting my toes... Oh, and a few blisters on the feet. Oh, and injured my big toe and the nail is coming off... But really, it was tons of fun!
We got into the fish right away that first afternoon. My buddy got a nice one on the fly rod. He's still learning and eventually got frustrated and decided to stick with one of the spinning rods I brought for the kids. We got a nice mix of westslope cutties, bows, cutbows, and even a nice little 11 inch bully. My best fish was the first morning around 6am right next to camp. The others were asleep and the morning was just perfectly quiet - just me, the lake, and the trout. This 16-18inch bow was impressive. THICK shoulders. No net and fishing from boulders, so I did my best to carefully release it and didn't get the take a pic or show anyone. But that's OK. Great fish. The rest were 9-14 inchers. Average was 11-12 inches. The rainbows were experts at going airborne and shaking loose. Especially for those who were fishing hardware. Lost more on that jumping headshake than landed. Super fun though. Most of my fish came to dry flies. EHK, Stimulators, and a few random ties I did years ago with no name.
My buddy was having a blast on his first backpacking trip ever. He had trout for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And probably for snacks. Once he was sitting around camp just enjoying the view when a nice fish jumped just in front of our camp. He ran up, grabbed the spinning rod, and on one cast had 'that' fish (could have been different) and ate it a few minutes later. The ultimate catch, clean, cook.
The boys had a great time. Didn't miss their phones or electronics. Enjoyed a little fishing, but mainly were just out exploring and being boys.
The Ross Lake fires and probably others made the skies a bit hazy. Made from some epic photos though. Enjoy the pics!
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