[jackchinook]

So I've got the next two days off and I know it's supposed to be bloody cold at night. Has anyone been up say around 5000' or so lately? I was planning on perhaps visiting a lake I've heard about which is around 4500' and allegedly has some nice rainbows. Anyone have any very recent experience with highlakes around that elevation?

Thanks guys,
Jack

 

[AndrewB]

I was up at Surprise Lake near Stevens Pass this past weekend. It's at 4500 feet and was not frozen at all. There was some frost and a few frozen puddles near the lake-- that was the only sign of ice. It got down to about 26 degrees on Saturday night.

I didn't fish, by the way.

Andrew

 

[Old Man]

What do I know---I'm just an old man

There was snow at Blewett and White passes last night. I hope that don't scare you away. Just some insite

Jim

 

[chadk]

I'd be really suprised of the high lakes are frozen yet (other than the extreme highest lakes).

But, please be VERY careful this time of year. Weather changes rapidly in the mountains this time of year and a nice sunny hike could turn into white out blizzard condtions.

If you know what the 10 essentials are, bring them. If you don't know what they are, you probably shouldn't be heading up there in the first place ROFESSOR

 

[Old Man]

What do I know---I'm just an old man

Good looking fish. Nice blow up on the reel,is that a sage reel.

Jim

 

[HatchMaster]

Jack,
I fished a lake at exactly 4500' last week and did very well. The rainbows were very large and fat. All but one of a dozen were in the 18"-20" 4 lb. range and were feeding on small, sparse emerger patterns off and on. That particular lake is also well stocked with very colorful Brookies albeit most were in the 8"-12" range.
Anyway, it's getting colder and the wind has been picking up so all you can do is make the drive and hope for the best.

rip some lip,

HatchMaster

 

[jackchinook]

Damn Hatchmaster!
Where do you go to get those beasts! Anytime you want an experienced bc hiker you let me know. I've got a few little secrets as well (mostly little pretty goldens and that sort of thing). [email protected]

By the way, I just got back from an alpine lake today but I didn't fish. I hiked in to the saddle above this particular lake...about 6900' and saw the lake and access. It was totally ice-free but the boulder field above it was WAAAAY scary and I was alone so I elected not to risk it.

 

[HatchMaster]

Jackchinook,
Sorry I can't be more specific but then it would get fished out.

Sounds like a lake I've been to twice up above Snoqualmie fishing for goldens. The hike in to that one was really nasty and the hike out will kill ya but the goldens sure are beautiful.

Ripsumlip,
HM

 

[jackchinook]

HM,
the elevation may indicate that it wasn't one of the snoqualmie area golden lakes. I believe I've been to the one you've mentioned (twice as well, in fact) and actually hooked my first golden but lost him. I was actually quite a bit further north (Hwy 20) and decided against the boulder field because it was about 500 vertical feet of large, snow-covered boulders and I was alone and figured a few trout and bloody cold wasn't worth the risk involved.

If we're talking about the same lake, my recent diagnosis is that some of the goldens have now hybridized with the cutts in the lake. Last August I caught a very westslope looking GT and about five minutes later caught a very standard looking westlope cutt. I proposed this to the regional biologist who confirmed it as a possibility as there is a fair amount of natural repro. in the lake. Who knows...

Tomorrow another lower lake will be investigated. Hopefully some good results will be reported.

 

[Ricardo O.]

...is that a sage reel?
Jim

Sure looks like a 106 to me, I had two of them before upgrading to Cimmarons and Gunnisons.

Roper

 

[Brian Curtis]

I'm a bit late to this old thread, but...

I'm pretty sure you guys are talking about two different lakes, though they aren't too far apart.

 

[orkila]

Hiked into Rachel Lake above lake Kachess on 10/26, no ice at all. Did not stop to fish but went on another mile and half to Rampart Lakes. Smaller tarns are frozen, medium size had some ice and 3 largest lakes were ice free. That wont last long. Caught 2 nice cuttthroat in a short hour on bead prince allowed to sink then slow retrieved towards shore. Water was so clear could watch bead from 30 yards away and see the fish come off the bottom for it!Looks like we might get a few more weekends yet of high lake fishing. Enjoy!