Washington Fly Fishing Forum banner

Hike in Hammock and Fishing

4K views 30 replies 17 participants last post by  brat 
#1 ·
I got invited by our very own Kent Lufkin to join him and two friends, Don and Bob, for a hike in and hammock trip to an Alpine Lakes Wilderness location that I've never visited. They left early on Friday, but on Friday I had a couple of other obligations, court appearance and work day, to attend to before departing. Needless to say I got a much later start.

Kent's directions were somewhat cryptic, but I wrote down what he told me on the back of a used envelope. I read them to myself a couple of times on my way and figured, I can find this place. I have his directions, I have my compass, headlamp and map. No sweat. If I need to, I can hang my hammock anywhere there are trees if it gets too late, we do have a few trees around here.

Drove the long drive. Got turned around at one neighborhood used as a landmark. After driving through it I realized that I missed the turn. I was not supposed to drive through the neighborhood, just to the neighborhood as a landmark and then continue on another road. Okay, about ten minutes lost there. Off the pavement and onto the easement with signs every so often to remind me that use of the easement is all I get to do in these parts. Passed another landmark, then another, then another and then it was time for me to park my rig. Whilst fiddling with the last items to put into my pack for the hike in...the sky opened up and it started raining. This was a pretty good rain too, not some misty or drizzly crap. Where is that raincoat? It is in the other pack that I used for another camping trip last weekend. Oh well, weather is good, I'll be wet and I've got plenty of dry clothes in baggies inside the pack.

The trail led me down a road, past the trail head sign, through a bog/swamp/mudhole, (thanks for that buddy), into the woods and away we go. This trail is not horribly long, but is does not appear to be heavy traffic because the brush is pretty tight to the hiker. Wet was had from above, left and right! Maybe 1/3 or what I figured was about that far, I see a dog approaching, then another, then some guy. He asks "are you Ed?" Um, yes, I'm Ed. Is that your rig parked all by itself at the trailhead. He says "I'm Sean, yeah, that is my rig. Then he says "the guys at the lake wondered if I was Ed." He and I chatted a bit and then I was off. He suggested I had a good two hours left. Two hours? Holy smokes man, its gonna be way dark in two hours.

So I Sean's rig was at the trailhead, and mine was a the trailhead, where is Kent's rig? Well, later he will admit to giving me horrible directions (but they weren't) and to having parked elsewhere to take a "shortcut" presumably to avoid the bog/marsh/swamp area...which I gathered was no shortcut at all.

Meanwhile, more woods, then it opened up to a wide gravel area, another landmark on my notes. There is a trail just to the left, back into the woods. Shortly thereafter I enter an area with a lot of blowdown. I know I'm in the right place because it is on the landmark list. I lost the trail, following a game trail through to the wall of the woods where the trail just disappeared. Backed out to the start of the blow down and moved to my right a bit and saw a trail marking tape. Back in business, only about 15 minutes of scrambling over and under a bunch of logs lost.

More woods, nice looking open areas beneath the high coniferous canopy. Spongy ground gives way to what appears to be a dry creekbed, but it is full of somewhat smooth rocks, moss and did I mention it is still raining pretty hard. Let's say this was the toughest part of the whole trail. Slowly grinding uphill through this slick creek bed picking every step cautiously under a pack load that was far too heavy. Plodding along...passed the end of the easement sign announcing my arrival into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. More uphill, twisting and turning around a lot of large downed trees. In the distance I can see some open air space, suggestive of a lake, and about 15 more minutes I was to a point I could see the water. I listened...nothing. Walked a bit more and heard the sounds of humans. A few minutes later here I am meeting Kent, Don and Bob at the edge of the lake.

The lake was gorgeous, nestled between a high ridge to the east and west. The slope was pretty steep. Kent said that they had their hammocks hung in the trees a hundred or so yards further down the trail. I decided to head that way to get mine hanging because it was getting pretty late. Three hammocks were joined by a fourth, a light snack, some brief socialization and all were out for the night.

The next morning I was the first up and down to the water. It was still very early and I took my sweet time enjoying the view, making and eating breakfast and inflating my flytepacker raft (for the first time to use it finally). The guys joined me pretty soon and suggested not rushing onto the water until the sun hits it. Kent says that "wakes the fish up". As soon as the sun hit, bugs were popping and fish were very actively eating whatever it was that was coming off. I went out, then Kent, Don and finally Bob. We were all into fish, mostly all day long. Kent was catching two or three to each of our one, but we were all pretty busy. There was a lot of school girl giggling...yes Mr. Lufkin, you giggled like a school girl quite a few times.

Every fly that I tossed at them got eaten. Some more aggressively, but all got takes and hookups. I'm certain that on Saturday I caught at least 30 fish, maybe more. You may think that is some sort of made up crap, if so, you have wasted too much time reading this far. Easily thirty. I'm betting Don and Bob hit thirty too, but Kent was the King of the Court touching 50, 60, maybe 70 fish. Seriously, he was the last off the water and his rod was bent all damn day long.

Late in the day a father and son arrived at the launch putting in their two man raft (the boy carried it in). They were quite nice and sociable. They caught a few on spinning gear with teardrop bubble floats and wooly buggers.

A nice boil and eat meal, lots of sampling of various adult beverages brought by all and it was time for hammock lights out for the night.

Sunday morning I was the first up, brought my fishing stuff from hammock-a-looza to the shore area. Don was busy breaking down his hammock area. We heard a strange rhythmic sound, no it was not banjos! When Kent, Bob and I took down our hammocks we decided it was not birds (Ed) but the sound of a pump. Maybe father and son's boat leaked overnight? Arriving at the water edge we saw a group of five guys that all carried in solo Seveylor rafts, they were pumping them up and launching to fish in honor of a lost friend who had introduced them to this lake.

With them launching and spreading to areas around the lake, Bob, Kent and I decided that yesterday was good enough that we need not work in on their outing of remembrance. Don hooked a handful early and then came to shore to eat a late breakfast and everyone packed up to head out. I was the first packed and had the longest drive so I shook the hands of three new friends, hoisted my pack and grabbed my trekking poles.

Unsure what my hike in time was, maybe around two hours in the rain. My hike out time was only 1:15 and I stopped for a few nice water breaks and to enjoy the views of the woods, Stone walls along the trail and scenic water drainage. It was a very nice weekend out. I hope I can join these gents again in the near future.

Plant Plant community Tree Wood Natural landscape


Plant community Plant Natural landscape Tree Wood


Water Plant Water resources Plant community Mountain


Sky Cloud Mountain Plant Natural landscape


Road surface Water Wood Asphalt Fish


Glasses Sky Plant Mountain Sunglasses
 
See less See more
6
#5 ·
Flytepacker was fine. Not so simple to get into when there is not a good launching area. The wind did pick up a few times, and that made me wish I had a float tube and fins. All in all I was able to fish effectively, present, catch and land a lot of fish. I still think that I prefer fin control, but maybe I just need to keep packing in this raft and get myself more used to that. Don fished out of his Curtis raft all three days. He seemed to be doing just fine in his too! Kent and Bob carried in lightweight float tubes. I don't have a lightweight float tube, so for me this flytepacker was a good balance of floating craft without adding too much weight.
 
#9 ·
Bob, I truly appreciate you, Don and Kent welcoming me in to your circle of hammock fly fishing enthusiasts. I need to get my gear dialed in better to reduce my overall pack weight. I've already started looking at the things I carried and did not use. (Spool and intermediate line, spool and sinking line, way too many flies, about three more meals than I cooked...) I'm sure I can find more. My hike out was way better than coming in uphill in the rain.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldgoat03
#30 ·
Thanks for the post.

I'm curious about the Hammocks.
Are they comfortable and I presume, easier than a tent and sleeping bag ?
Where do you get them ?

thanks.
I started using an ENO (first single, then double--and I recommend the double) this year and found it sleeps very well. As for your question about distance between trees I found it best to use a connection like this. The three items shown in the video (2 rappels rings, 6mm cord, and 1" tubular webbing) can all be bought at REI in the climbing department. and are way less expensive than the manufactured suspension straps. I tied a simple loop in one end of the tubular webbing and pass this around the tree and then pull the free end of the webbing through the loop. It allows me to easily use trees whose diameter is too big for the typical manufactured straps.
You should also check out this video (and simple/cheap solution) that will help you stay dry when it rains since even your tarp won't prevent water from dripping down your suspension lines, past the connecting hardware, and getting your hammock wet.
A YouTube search on hammocks will provide all the information you need there on various ways people rig hammocks.
Have fun.
 
#11 ·
David, the trio of Don, Bob and Kent were all sleeping in gathered end hammocks made by Hennessey Hammocks. They have different models, but all are standard bottom entry versions with integrated bug netting. I have been sleeping in a Warbonnet Outdoors Ridge Runner, which is a bridge hammock. Mine has a spreader bar at the head and foot end, and it is quite a bit different than the gathered end style.

I have found my nights on the ground in a tent less than restful, and since trying a hammock a couple of years ago I've been sleeping suspended. I have found better, more restful sleep and not nearly the discomfort associated with sleeping on the ground. I personally feel that hammock camping is my preferred method and have now camped out of my hammock in all types of weather and temperature with very comfortable results.
 
#13 ·
David

I agree with all of Ed's experiences with regard to hammock versus tent camping. As long as there are things to tie the hammock to you'll never need worry about rocks, roots, uneven ground etc. I never wake up after a night in the hammock with aches because there are no pressure points. As mentioned there are many good hammocks out there. I really enjoy and endorse my Hennessey Ultralight Backpacker Asym (weighs about 2lbs with integrated bug net and rain fly.

If you are interested search on hammock forums and you will be amazed at the knowledge base available.

I will never willingly sleep on the ground again.

Bob
 
#18 ·
Most have a weight limit based on the material used for the hammock body. My current hammock is double layer 1.7 fabric and has a weight limit of 275#.
 
#19 ·
My Hennessey Ultra lite Backpacker Asym is rated at 225 Lbs. I know however that when I'm in it with my bag, pad etc I am pushing that limit. They are pretty darned sturdy in my experience. They have other models as well. I think Kent had the expedition which is rated to 250 or 260 lbs. It is made of heavier materials and is porportionaltely larger as well.
The distance between tie out points (trees) is 10-14'. I've noticed the Expedition has shorter tie up cords than my Asym. One could certainly bring additional straps for around a tree of even lengthen the cords. The secret to a good night in a Hammocks in my experiecne is to string them up tight, then sit on or get it and stretch them for a bit. Then re-tie as tight as possible.
 
#20 ·
My old hammock was some rip stop nylon parachute material sewn up by a parachute rigger. Slept in it every night (almost) while in SE Asia. Wish I still had it. I'll be looking into a new "fancy hammock" here soon. Thanks for the story, photos and info.
 
#22 ·
Bill, quite lengthy actually, 1965,66,67, 70, 71, 72. For the first visit I was with the 173d Airborne Brigade (Sep) tour group. Lots of eco camping experience. Started the second trip with the same bunch, but switched to the C Company (Airborne), 75th Infantry (Ranger) tour. Smaller groups on each hike. Finished with the 17th Combat Aviation Group. Since I had so much camping experience, they didn't really know what to do with me, so I loafed a lot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ron McNeal
#24 ·
Jersey, glad that some of my drivel found value in your life! There are a few of us hammock campers scattered throughout the WFF membership. Maybe we can start our own gang...
 
#29 ·
Thanks Rory. If you can get a really diagonal lay in the gathered end hammocks they are as comfy as floating in a cloud. I find the Warbonnet Outdoors Ridge Runner bridge style hammock with the spreader bars at head and foot a bit more flat and comfortable. Sleeping suspended really has helped my back. I may never sleep on the ground again, unless of course there are not suitable trees...but I can try to avoid such places now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rory
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top