A Hidden Gem

IHFISH

IHFISH

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The early sun and the promise of an interesting bathymetry map had me on the water before the snaggy little cutthroat lake really woke up. The submerged deadfalls, weed beds and occasional drop offs came together in a way that couldn’t help but produce optimism. It turned out to be the kind of place where you debate whether you’ll tell a half-truth or lie if you run into someone on the way back to the car.

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I think I've been there. Keep it a secret. It's a delight to find overlooked gems. This is my best from that weedy lake.

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I made the mistake of telling a friend and the next time I visited I was skunked and when I told him I was skunked he said..."I did really well there just yesterday..."
 
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Dave Westburg said:
I think I've been there. Keep it a secret. It's a delight to find overlooked gems. This is my best from that weedy lake.

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I made the mistake of telling a friend and the next time I visited I was skunked and when I told him I was skunked he said..."I did really well there just yesterday..."
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I love that you fish old school wet flies. Being Scottish I fished them a lot as a kid, but oddly don’t do now, I should. Should get back to my roots.

Dave
 
Dave Boyle said:
I love that you fish old school wet flies. Being Scottish I fished them a lot as a kid, but oddly don’t do now, I should. Should get back to my roots.

Dave
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@Dave Boyle, those scottish classics work. That particular fish took a Silver March Brown! I mostly use the classic wet flies on ponds and alpine lakes. Bumbles (left) and green wells, butchers and black pennels (right).

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I keep a box of size #16-18 mallard and claret, black and blaes, butchers, silver march brown, greenwells glory and malloch's favorites for picky fish.

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@IHFISH those are some incredible cutts. Gorgeous fish. Nice job working out the secret.

Thread drift, but I have fished with both of these Daves and I’m in favor of the Daves fishing together; I think they’d get along swimmingly.


Just bringing together the Daves I know.
 
Matt B said:
@IHFISH those are some incredible cutts. Gorgeous fish. Nice job working out the secret.

Thread drift, but I have fished with both of these Daves and I’m in favor of the Daves fishing together; I think they’d get along swimmingly.


Just bringing together the Daves I know.
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What about the Dave's he doesn't know he knows? The unknown known daves.
 
Nice report~
I wrestled with the dilemma of whether share such gems with others some 60 years ago and came to the decision that if I valued the opportunity to enjoy such gems sharing them quickly destroyed what made them so special. Thus, when I found such waters whether an out of way beaver pond, a river ox bow, alpine lake, remote stream, newly formed steelhead pocket, etc. always realized that they would be discovered by others eventually and that fishery would likely be driven to mediocrity. I guarded such gems closely while I would potentially share with a very small group of trust anglers that were always on my rule of "a one strike and you are out'.

While the above may seem harsh I was able to enjoy such gems; some for a few months to others for decades. Ultimately upon finding such waters in today's world one must decide between generating "likes" or having such opportunities.

Curt
 
It’s always good to hear there are still hidden gems out there.
There’s a lake in my area that’s well off the beaten path. It is supposed to have large trout. I’m on the fence on whether to put the effort into checking it out. I kind of like the idea there are hidden gems with large fish out there. I would hate to go there and find it loaded with stunted 8” fish. Also, there’s a small chance one might have to traverse through a closed area to get there…
 
Matt B said:
@IHFISH those are some incredible cutts. Gorgeous fish. Nice job working out the secret.

Thread drift, but I have fished with both of these Daves and I’m in favor of the Daves fishing together; I think they’d get along swimmingly.
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Thanks @Matt B. I've only fished with Dave W, but am sure that Dave B would be a fine person to share the water with too, so I support your Dave-related ambitions!
 
Smalma said:
Nice report~
I wrestled with the dilemma of whether share such gems with others some 60 years ago and came to the decision that if I valued the opportunity to enjoy such gems sharing them quickly destroyed what made them so special. Thus, when I found such waters whether an out of way beaver pond, a river ox bow, alpine lake, remote stream, newly formed steelhead pocket, etc. always realized that they would be discovered by others eventually and that fishery would likely be driven to mediocrity. I guarded such gems closely while I would potentially share with a very small group of trust anglers that were always on my rule of "a one strike and you are out'.

While the above may seem harsh I was able to enjoy such gems; some for a few months to others for decades. Ultimately upon finding such waters in today's world one must decide between generating "likes" or having such opportunities.

Curt
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Curt, thanks. Your approach doesn't strike me as harsh and is possibly more moderate than mine. I did show the photos to a friend without location and only to let him know that I'd be admitting them into evidence in my pending case against him not owning a float tube.

Hidden gems discussions are an interesting creature. We're all against naming names if the place has one, but I think most of us would be also against earnest denials that such places still exist. In between is a broad spectrum of oblique or not so oblique references to driving and hiking time and distance, stocking info, elevation, inlet and outlet streams, etc. that are unique to the reporting angler and his or her estimation of the sensitivity of the water's location. It is just my experience, but reading about the existence (not the name) of such places online or in print has enriched my experience as an angler. My hope is that with some discretion we can avoid the binary of "likes" vs. "opportunities" and inspire each other to find our own gems to enjoy and share with those of like mind.
 
Better hit it early. High Cascade lakes are already pushing plant growth. A certain Favorite is already producing algae blooms. Hate to say it but I think the Sun is the cause of CC. Just my opinion.
 
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