The Fishin' Magician: Trip to Fish lake

I know everyone is thinking about getting ready for steelhead fishing, and so am I. I did want to take advantage of one of the sunny days last week and make another trip up to Fish Lake. My buddy Tom Bartlett and I met at the Cove at 2 and headed out.

There was a brisk breeze blowing, but it was still a warm and sunny fall day. We began trolling flies at the bottom end of the lake, and got off to a slow start. However, as we approached the west shore of the lake we found some hungry fish.

We started landing small rainbow and then I noticed my 5-weight rod sort of dragging. We had just released a double and thought I had picked some weeds, which seemed strange. As I got the line back on my reel it got heavier and heavier. Sure enough, there was a fish on it and a big one. It turned out to be about a 4-pound triploid!

Later in the evening we went back to the same spot and this time my 3-weight rod folded over. It took me quit a while to get this one in on the small rod, as it was a 5- or 6-pound triploid!

I am ready for steelhead season, but Fish Lake is a great place to fill the gap.