Took another ridge hike this weekend. Just over 10 miles round trip and 3,000 feet elevation gain. Found a nice if slightly buggy campsite. We were the only ones camping at the lake.
Caught a brookie on the first cast and it was nonstop action. I fished a delightful Granger 8040 (which came to me courtesy of PNW member @Para_Adams) and size 14 soldier palmer, claret bumble and Zulu wet flies. Kept four fish to fry up with our paella dinner. Mountain huckleberries with Creme Brûlée for desert.
Snapped this picture as we broke camp. Three brookies in the air at once. This is one of the few mountain lakes where you don't need a float tube if you fish along the grassy, hilly side of the lake. No size but lots and lots of colorful fish.
In the morning I realized I'd left my coffee filter home so made John Gierach style coffee or coffee according to Hopkins for you Hemingway buffs. Put the coffee grounds in a jet boil full of water, brought to a boil, threw a splash of cold water in to settle the grounds. Black as hell and strong as death to quote the old Turkish proverb. Works in a pinch but next time I'll bring a filter.
The sun burned off the fog and there were great views as we exited the flowery meadows on our way home.
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