High Lakes

speyflyfisher said:
Did my first hike in trip of the year. The rechargeable pump definitely is superior to the alternatives especially deflating. I do need to look at trimming a few pounds. My pack before water weighed 21.4 lb's then add probably 5lb water to the total. Just for my curiosity, after removing the float tube/waders/fins/dive boots, I added my pack raft/inflatable mattress pad/paddles, and the weight was 15.1 lb's. I took 2 rods with reels and spare spools for each which is something I don't normally do. So, some weight trimming if bringing only 1 setup.

Just a couple of additional tidbits, 1) with my 50 L pack, tube/waders/fins/dive boots plus fishing gear, lunch water and a few items was nearly full. Taking much more would require strapping the tube to the outside which is something I try to avoid especially if heading off trail. 2)the rechargeable pump was able to inflate my pack raft in 1.5 min through the boston valve which is an equal or greater volume than the wilderness lite tube. Plus, I had some tubing that adapted the removed boston valve port to the pump and could suck the all the air out in about 30 seconds.
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Maybe you know this but depending on the trail and destination using a lightweight 0.5 to or 1.5 liter personal filter squeeze bottle can save carrying 2.5# - 5# of water, and possibly a standalone filter to refill your bottle. For short hike-ins, don't carry any water at all and fill - drink on demand.
Lifestraw Peak, Hydrapak Flux, and Katadyn Be Free are all durable soft bottles that roll up to fit in a moderately sized pocket when empty to save space and have good - easy flow to drink from.
Sawyer also has a more conventional lightweight semi-rigid plastic filter bottle that is more durable and fits in a Nalgene sized water bottle pocket

Here's an article that shows some options

www.outdoorgearlab.com

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

We tested 25 backpacking water filters and treatment systems from Platypus, Sawyer, Katadyn, LifeStraw, and others to find the best option for your...
www.outdoorgearlab.com www.outdoorgearlab.com
 
Here's a couple more thoughts.

The soft collapsible squeeze bottles don't hold their shape and generally have narrower mouths that are kind of a hassle to fill. The heavier semi-rigid Sawyer Filter Bottle isn't included in the article. It holds its shape and has a wider mouth making it VERY easy to fill. I have been using one when fishing and backpacking for at least 13 years. I back flush it with a large syringe when the flow gets low. I also sterilize the bottle then back flush with a cap full of bleach to a full bottle of tap water at the end of a season.

As an ultralight solution for a day's fishing with a constant source of water available I've used a LifeSTRAW and carried it along with - "in" a common 16 Oz disposable water bottle with the top cut off to use as a cup so I don't have to kneel or lay down to drink.

I don't know about the Lifestraw squeeze bottle but the original LifeSTRAW and possibly others have a poor flow if the filter dries out so it can a good idea to let the filter soak in tap water or back flush to "prime it" before the first trip of the season.
 
Most of my water weight is the 2 liter platypus bladder w/drink tube in my pack. I do frequently bring my water filter for longer hikes for refills. For this short hike I opted for a small secondary bottle. I feel that I drink more when I have a n accessible drink tube than having to pull a bottle out which would be more important on a more strenuous hike.
 
'Pends if your lookin to COMPETE or not. If lookin to have Big Name Days On The Water then need to COMPETE. Need to compete!!! Look get into the waders game as related to the mentions earlier in the thread.
 
Sir Homey said:
My rig for a 10 mile high country ramble. Blustery and chilly today with brief showers passing through to keep things interesting.

View attachment 185620
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What's the rubbery black matt thing wrapped around your rod?

But really, if you haven't cut the handle off your net and switched to holding your rod pieces together with a grocery store twist-tie, have you really even begun the path of ultralight?
:)
 
BlakeHerrington said:
What's the rubbery black matt thing wrapped around your rod?

But really, if you haven't cut the handle off your net and switched to holding your rod pieces together with a grocery store twist-tie, have you really even begun the path of ultralight?
:)
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That’s the stripping apron for my float tube. It makes a nice rod protector.

I dig the ultralight ethos, but I’m not quite there yet. I can still suffer a few extra pounds for comfort and convenience.
 
I finally made it up to a high lake….and it was just what I’d hoped for 👍


I saw two of these guys on the drive up

IMG_0012.jpeg

and a couple spruce grouse chicks following mom or dad around.

The hike in helped clean out the remains of last weeks crud 🤧 and then I had the place to myself for the day 👍

IMG_0016.jpeg

The fish were spunky and colorfulIMG_0025.jpeg
IMG_0018.jpeg

One of them had even met up with Stonedfish recently

IMG_0020.jpeg

and the bonus was the little pump that could was awesome IMG_0017.jpeg

what a day!

Capr diem, y’all 😎
 
M_D said:
I finally made it up to a high lake….and it was just what I’d hoped for 👍


I saw two of these guys on the drive up

View attachment 186214

and a couple spruce grouse chicks following mom or dad around.

The hike in helped clean out the remains of last weeks crud 🤧 and then I had the place to myself for the day 👍

View attachment 186217

The fish were spunky and colorfulView attachment 186219
View attachment 186222

One of them had even met up with Stonedfish recently

View attachment 186224

and the bonus was the little pump that could was awesome View attachment 186225

what a day!

Capr diem, y’all 😎
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What little pump did you get?
 
I went on a quick overnight trip to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness yesterday. I fished this small lake for about 2 hours before the wind REALLY picked up.
PXL_20260707_211921250.MP.jpg
I missed 1 take down on the bobber and saw 2 fish jump but otherwise nothing. I did see a 16" fish floating belly up near the bank. It was stocked 3 years ago with a few hundred rainbow fry so im thinking there aren't a lot of fish left in there.

We passed this much bigger lake with LOTS of smaller fish rising, but I didn't fish.
PXL_20260707_201957095.MP.jpg
It was a lovely trip, especially since we were the only ones at the lake and this was the view from our campsite.
PXL_20260708_032535078.jpg
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Gary Knowels said:
I went on a quick overnight trip to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness yesterday. I fished this small lake for about 2 hours before the wind REALLY picked up.
View attachment 187865
I missed 1 take down on the bobber and saw 2 fish jump but otherwise nothing. I did see a 16" fish floating belly up near the bank. It was stocked 3 years ago with a few hundred rainbow fry so im thinking there aren't a lot of fish left in there.

We passed this much bigger lake with LOTS of smaller fish rising, but I didn't fish.
View attachment 187864
It was a lovely trip, especially since we were the only ones at the lake and this was the view from our campsite.
View attachment 187863
View attachment 187866
Click to expand...
Gorgeous!
 
Gary Knowels said:
I went on a quick overnight trip to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness yesterday. I fished this small lake for about 2 hours before the wind REALLY picked up.
View attachment 187865
I missed 1 take down on the bobber and saw 2 fish jump but otherwise nothing. I did see a 16" fish floating belly up near the bank. It was stocked 3 years ago with a few hundred rainbow fry so im thinking there aren't a lot of fish left in there.

We passed this much bigger lake with LOTS of smaller fish rising, but I didn't fish.
View attachment 187864
It was a lovely trip, especially since we were the only ones at the lake and this was the view from our campsite.
View attachment 187863
View attachment 187866
Click to expand...
looks nice. we went in to waptus lake a few yrs ago horseback, drop camp) then hiked out from there. ran into my first bear on the trail.
 
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