I’ve been pondering getting to this lake after reading The Lakes of the Beartooths and fishing a few of the books other described lakes. It’s a small 24 acre lake only accessible by a dirt road that is four miles long, has an elevation gain of about 900‘ with lots of up and down sections crosses a 15’ wide creek and has several sections with deep ruts and large rocks. After a little research and partial walk of the road I figured it might be doable on my mountain bike, just having to walk it through some of the rougher sections. The reason for trying it with the 100 or so other lakes near by with easier access was the fact it was supposed to hold good population of Yellowstone cutthroat, with the possibility of an exceptionally large fish, fish up to 10 pounds have been reported. It’s only stocked once every two years, has a limit of two fish, barbless fly or lure only and gets very little pressure. So last Thursday I set out in pursuit of giant cutties. The trip in was harder than expected, with much more pushing the bike than the peddling that I had hoped for. The scenery was nice, going back and forth from trees to meadows. After about two hours I arrived and found a gorgeous setting all to myself.
The lake’s shoreline is made up of a floating peat bog with vegetation growing on top. You have to be careful where and how you step as not to push through and end up stuck in about 4-5 feet of water. Previous folks have left pieces of log and plywood in a couple spots to stand on so as not to break through. It is a bit unnerving standing on a floating piece of turf while trying to cast and land fish. The fish were cooperative but feisty. I have never LDR’d so many fish in my life. Most of the fish were in the 14-16 range and could spit a hook in a split second. Any little bit of slack line and they were gone. When I first got to the waters edge, fish were slurping something just below the surface so I put on my variation of a Montana nymph and had a blast. When that slowed, I put on my favorite big fish fly, the semi-seal leach. I was able to hook up two “quality” fish but never got them in the net. The first one came out of the water as soon as I set the hook and spit it. The second one I got see up close. As I went down on one knee to reach off the floating edge and try to net it, it came right to me, rolled and was off. I think the little bit of slack line while kneeling was all it needed. I spent about 4 hours fishing and just sitting there taking in the scenery. One several occasions schools of 20 or so good sized fish would swim by, it was amazing to watch.
This lake would be fabulous in a float tube, but it would have to be brought in with horses or a 4x4 ATV. I thought about hiking in with my tube and the pack straps, but at my age I think it would be too much. The trip back was faster as it was progressively down hill. Had a great day, but I’m still thinking of a way to go back with the tube as those “big ones that got away” still haunt me.
All ready to ride.
On the road in.
Coming down to the lake from the road.
Mother Nature’s floating dock.
The sink holes were everywhere.
My fishing perch
.
One that didn’t get away.
The lake’s shoreline is made up of a floating peat bog with vegetation growing on top. You have to be careful where and how you step as not to push through and end up stuck in about 4-5 feet of water. Previous folks have left pieces of log and plywood in a couple spots to stand on so as not to break through. It is a bit unnerving standing on a floating piece of turf while trying to cast and land fish. The fish were cooperative but feisty. I have never LDR’d so many fish in my life. Most of the fish were in the 14-16 range and could spit a hook in a split second. Any little bit of slack line and they were gone. When I first got to the waters edge, fish were slurping something just below the surface so I put on my variation of a Montana nymph and had a blast. When that slowed, I put on my favorite big fish fly, the semi-seal leach. I was able to hook up two “quality” fish but never got them in the net. The first one came out of the water as soon as I set the hook and spit it. The second one I got see up close. As I went down on one knee to reach off the floating edge and try to net it, it came right to me, rolled and was off. I think the little bit of slack line while kneeling was all it needed. I spent about 4 hours fishing and just sitting there taking in the scenery. One several occasions schools of 20 or so good sized fish would swim by, it was amazing to watch.
This lake would be fabulous in a float tube, but it would have to be brought in with horses or a 4x4 ATV. I thought about hiking in with my tube and the pack straps, but at my age I think it would be too much. The trip back was faster as it was progressively down hill. Had a great day, but I’m still thinking of a way to go back with the tube as those “big ones that got away” still haunt me.
All ready to ride.
On the road in.
Coming down to the lake from the road.
Mother Nature’s floating dock.
The sink holes were everywhere.
My fishing perch
.
One that didn’t get away.
