Local Lake

The ice finally came off a little local lake that I frequent. It's stocked with rainbows every year, but there's also a population of stunted brook trout in this lake as well. (Yes, DWR, I'm upset with you for thinking that rainbows and brookies could live together without the brookies becoming stunted.)

I like this lake because it's close by, but manages to feel remote at the same time. The thick forest around it makes me feel like I'm up in the Uintas.

The gates to the road leading up to this lake are still locked, meaning if you want to get in and fish, you're in for a hike. The hike is beautiful though, and very worth it. 

Once you've hiked in, you'll come out facing the lake from the east. I've always found the best fishing to be on the southwest corner, near the dam. Also, as you walk along the lake you'll notice a stream flowing in and a bridge crossing it. If you fish the inlet at the right time of day with a wooly bugger or a small panther Martin, you're sure to catch brook trout after brook trout. The bigger ones usually hang out here at the inlet, and swim along in the beds about 10 feet off the shore. I've very rarely ever caught a brook trout from the middle of this lake. 

The fishing when I went was slow - much slower than usual. I hike into this lake every year before the gates open, and never fail to catch at least 50 fish in a few hours. I only pulled a few in, the most notable being this one right here. 

I love me some small brook trout! They're always very pretty fish. I hope to make it back up there soon and see if there's any monsters waiting to be caught.