Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: jstone on March 31, 2023, 08:20:12 PM

Title: Lake Caroline
Post by: jstone on March 31, 2023, 08:20:12 PM: What is the best way to fish Lake Caroline? I hike up there every year to honor my mom. Never fished it. Who has fished it. What bait? Fly fishing?
Hike up the last weekend in June
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: Chiwaukum on April 01, 2023, 07:51:54 AM: Lightweight spinning reel with a clear bubble (float) and fly setup.
The bubble slides on the main line then add a swivel then leader/fly.
Fish the fly about 3’ behind the bubble with 4 lb clear leader.
#12 or so coachman, mosquito, Adams or muddler flies.

This set up lets you fish flies w/o getting tangled up in the brush or bottom debris and usually catches plenty of fish in the high lakes.
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: jstone on April 01, 2023, 07:53:11 PM: Thank You for the information. I will try to use that.
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: deerhuntr4885 on April 06, 2023, 07:27:24 PM: Any small spinner really. RT’s panther Martins etc. light line. The water is super clear.
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: Alchase on April 06, 2023, 09:22:34 PM: Quote from: deerhuntr4885 on April 06, 2023, 07:27:24 PM
Any small spinner really. RT’s panther Martins etc. light line. The water is super clear.

Very cool pic! :tup:
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 07, 2023, 08:42:47 AM: The lake was last stocked in 2020 with RB. Those fish probably won't be that large maybe 8 or 9 in. Not sure that the holdovers from 2013 will be still alive as they typically only live 7 yrs. Spinners are good if you are going to keep all you catch then keep barbs on, but always good to remove them if your going to release them. Floating power bait works good if they are not taking spinners but they have a tendency to swallow and releasing doesn't insure survival on any fish caught.
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: jstone on April 07, 2023, 09:58:14 AM: Yes catch and release. Barbless
I will try all of these ideas. Catch fish, look for bears and check the camera
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: meathunter on April 07, 2023, 10:19:00 AM: Oh Man brings back some memories of getting dropped off in the Alpental parking lot. We would always stay at upper Wildcat a night before cruzing up to Lake Caroline and had to beat folks to the only spot to camp. I have been thinking of going back up this year.
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: jstone on April 07, 2023, 11:49:30 AM: I always start hiking in the dark. This beats the city crowds.
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: deerhuntr4885 on April 13, 2023, 10:30:10 AM: There was a really cool spot to camp above little lake Caroline, across a meadow, next to a spring. One of my favorite memories was sleeping out under the stars in that spot. I gotta get back up there some time. It’s been 30 years! Man am I old!
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: jstone on June 16, 2023, 11:28:18 AM: Has anyone been up in the Lake Caroline area lately? What is the snow level?
Title: Re: Lake Caroline
Post by: jstone on June 25, 2023, 07:54:02 AM: Well yesterday morning at 4:30am started my hike up to Lake Caroline for the day. I love being the first on the trail. I should have been a little earlier though.

Thank You for information on fishing. I ended up using small spinners. Clipped off the barbs for quick release. Only fished for about a half hour caught a couple decent size fish. Around 10”. That really surprised me in their size. I will try the fly on the clear bobber next time.

Thunder and lightning was an extra bonus

Thanks again for the information

Jstone