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If you want to leave the crowds behind, and aren’t afraid to put a few miles on your boots then head into the high country. Some of the best times I’ve had fishing was the 4th of July at about 4300ft elevation off of a snowy bank in a lake many miles from any pavement. The mountain lakes offer a great way to catch some very anxious fish, because of the lakes being covered in snow from the previous winter.

In early summer you can throw almost any sort of streamer fly and be ravagely attacked by cold water fish but later in the summer pay attention to the top water and what’s emerging off the surface. The very high lakes mostly hold brook trout that generally don’t grow to large size, but can be up to 18-20+ inches. Regardless of their size brook trout are some of the scrappiest fish I’ve come across. High lakes will also hold cut-throats, browns, and rainbows. The best tool you can bring in with you besides your fishing rod is a float tube, many of the lakes in early summer will be partially frozen yet with limited access from the bank. Typically early summer fish will be lethargic from the cold water requiring a slower presentation, typically sticking closer to the surface, and the shoreline will be your best bet. Some patterns that I’ve found successful this year already have been smaller size 6 bead head olive wollybuggers, size 6 and 8 crayfish patterns, size 6 white woolly buggers, with a 10 ft Umpqua 6lb leader, tippet usually not necessary. Something to remember is to keep the presentation to a slow retrieve. Often times these lakes will be gin clear and you will be able to see the fish slowly coming after the fly many times this will get people in trouble by setting the hook to soon, by watching trout bum diaries I’ve learned to say a little phrase “God save the queen” before setting the hook. But once there on the line the fish quickly wake up and the ride is on. Another method for fishing the lakes for larger fish is to slowly troll larger woolly buggers or egg sucking leeches with a sink tip, also finding inlets where small creeks flow in with structure can be very effective, calm areas unaffected by wind, shallower weed beds, and the downwind side of the lake where bait drifts too are some effective areas to keep an eye for. Its still early summer and some lakes are still frozen or access roads blocked by snow drifts, but you’ll never know until you get off your couch and go find out. Good luck to ya. Keep your hooks sharp and your tip up.

Your All Around Friendly Fly Fishermen- Lonny Brooks AKA Tight-Lines

As many of you guys might know, the date of June 6th is the opener on many of the West side streams and rivers. Everyday is one day closer to the date.

Following the weather patterns in the weeks prior to June is a key thing for your fishing. I for one am always hoping for an early spring thaw so that the rivers I target early June are fish able, unlike last year with the hellatious rain storm the week before triggering a mass thaw blowing out most all of the fisheries. Not only that, it will also determine the flies you pack because weather is a key factor in triggering the hatches. Typically the warmer weather will bring out the dry flies, vs. colder postponing them and sticking to below the surface.

Some items you will want to remember before your season begins are first and foremost your rod and reel setup. New line is a good idea, proper maintenance on your reel, checking the eyes on your rod, and having multiple leaders, personally I go with the Umpqua 10’ tapered trout leaders in the 3 pack from sportsman’s warehouse. Other things to check are your waders, put them on and try them out in your swimming pool, or your neighbors, also your wading boots, especially the laces. Airing up the pontoon and float tube to check for leaks. Packing the rain gear is also a good idea for late spring. Another is having a wide variety of flies, because late spring weather is unpredictable and the sun could be right behind that thunderstorm. Some different stimulator s, caddis’s, mayflies, drakes, bwo’s midges, stones for the dries, and streamers, woolly buggers, egg sucking leeches, egg patterns, hairs ears, prince nymphs, and natural fly larva imitations for the sub surface. One more thing to add is to check the regulations to see what new restrictions their may be, like boundaries being changed, selective gear rules, daily and size limits on the fish.
That’s a lil insight on the preparations for the awaited season opener. We hope you take the advice, good luck, keep your lines tight. And see you on the 6th!

by Lonny Brooks aka tight-lines & Cody Lindberg aka troutbum89