Mountain Lake Fishing?

[HarborHunter3]

I thought I would start a thread to see how many of you fish the highland lakes in the mountains during the summer? Olympics, Cascades, or somewhere on the eastside.

I fish the Olympics myself. I've found that power bait and a bobber work really well. Also a spinner with a worm on a hook brings em in too. The key is not letting the fish see you.

Post up pics if you have em. Unfortunately I don't have any.

Oh and no one is pressuring you to name your spot. Range is enough or a general location.

Cheers

Wes

[boneaddict]

Yep...to not name a few.    I think I have two links on here talking about some.  I'll find them and add them to your post.   Looking forward to some beautiful pics.

[actionshooter]

I will during backpack trips in the Olympics, seeing you are from the Nooch valley we have probably fished some of the same lakes. 

[Wea300mag]

I've spent a lot of time in the Sawtooths above Twisp: Cooney, Martin, Eagle, Sunrise, Suprise plus many other Lakes. Also, the local lakes for me here in Skagit County area: Upper and Lower Falls, Jordan, Whale, Enjar, Arrowhead. . . .the list goes on and on. I will post some pics when I get home this weekend. I've caught my biggest fish out of Arrowhead (3-4 lbs). Never caught any monsters out of the Sawtooth area but do tend to catch more fish there.

[boneaddict]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,608.0.html
Heres one.

[popeshawnpaul]

I think I've been to every lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.  I've been to every lake I can think of off US 2.  I have a little fetish about golden trout and have hiked countless miles on rumors of the golden trout.  I've hiked with Trailblazers and Hi-lakers.  Those guys are hard core and do a lot to plant many of these lakes.

As far as methods of fishing...that runs the gamut.  I don't think you could catch a golden trout on power bait.  I guess it works in some lakes.  I mix my fishing between artificial lures and flies.  I will use whatever is working.  A boat is highly recommended if you really get into this type of fishing.  There is a very lightweight boat made by a local guy that is a legend at fishing the high mountain lakes around here.  I can hunt down the info on it if someone is interested.

[boneaddict]

Heres the other link... http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,1021.0.html

[boneaddict]

by the way, I use Fly only, and I release 99% of my fish, except when I am hungry.   

[Huckleberry]

Wea300 ~ You ever fish the Granites? Upper has some nice sized fish. Black flies or small spinners depending on the time of year.

I've been known to use power bait (glitter yellow) but only if I don't want to watch the rod i.e. hunting and want a fish for dinner. If I'm not eating it I (which isn't many) I don't like to use bait. I used to fish slide lake quite a bit as a youngster and would catch quite a few fish. It's nice and the hike isn't very long which made it perfect for families and folks who didn't want to go real far. Now days I usually try to put some distance between the crowds and go for a little bigger fish

[Wea300mag]

Huck,

I've been to the Granites too.

I'm a spinner and fly fan too. I cheat a little with the fly though. Since I only bring a small spinning rod (no fly rod), I use a clear bobber with a long leader to the fly.

[HarborHunter3]

Sweet links. that looks like some good country!

No doubt. Up by Grisdale there are some good ones. Only I like fishing them so I don't want to post on the net. I'll send you a PM and we can compare a few notes. Klone is such a B#$% that most wouldn't try and fish it anyways. lol

That sounds like good country up there. I haven't caught anything that big out of a mountain lake. I caught a 17incher though.

I gotta say I love the little hidie holes that only some of the locals know.

I'll give this one away. I've only fished it once and anyone that will put in the hike deserves to fish it. Hamma Hamma lakes has tons of fish in it. Beautiful scenery
too.

I would be interested in the boat. Just for information's sake.

I have that rig too. Only used it a couple of times but not up in the high lakes. Which I had intentionally gotten it for.

Wes

[popeshawnpaul]

Upper granite lake has some big finned artic fish...  Actually, years ago I went beyond upper granite over the mountain to some lakes behind it.  Golden treasures were located there back then.

The boat I was talking about is the Curtis Raft.  I have a brochure on it somewhere.  I don't have one right this second but I need to order one for this year.  I think it only weighs like a pound or so and you use your Thermarest as the seat.  It is a sturdy boat and is very well regarded by those who know high lakes fishing.  They make them to order.  You can find more information about it from a guy named Curtis at the Trailblazers website.  He's in the forums section.  http://www.watrailblazers.org/  With all this snow, I don't know if we will be doing any high lakes fishing before August...

[HarborHunter3]

Great info! I'll have to check into it. I have a lake in mind that it could work good in. Only thing is it's probably too expensive for me.

[Skyvalhunter]

Curtis no longer makes their rafts. He is also a member of the Hi-Lakers. Both him and his son used to make the light weight rafts. Alpacka is talking about making a packable lighter weight raft but it will probably be expensive as theirs and pretty spendy. I can forsee that I won't be hitting alot of my high lakes until August unless I just want to hike in the snow or snowshoe. Growing up along Highway 2 I have been to most of the off trail lakes.

[Bearhunter]

Heres some pictures from the first lake we went into last year, a little early to say the least.  This lake is up out of Rockport.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,2309.msg22136.html#msg22136