Above, on a late September day, I am studying the dry, early Fall, outlet stream of Strawberry Lake. What I recall about the moment are two things: the outlet was a bone dry rock strewn bed about ten feet wide and more interestingly, you could hear running water. Not a trickle, but a stream, well below the dry stream bed. This was the first time I came upon this phenomenon.
I imagine we all hear of water tables and realize they reach way beyond a creeks pathway. I was perusing the FlyFishUSA site’s weekly newsletter (12-19-10) and came upon a very fascinating post by Rick Hafele re underwater/under stream bed water ways and how they influence insect life survival, especially after high water scouring.
Writing to here about backpacking options. A bit early I know. What is best flotation device for backpacking?
LikeLike
Are you going for day or longer? Short trips require less consideration toward weight and additional gear. Longer stays, at least for me, require greater consideration for weight. In the day, when I backpacked, I weighed every single item and strove to reduce weight at every turn. I did not have a float tube. I carried a raft, oars and pump. It totaled 33-35#’s. I suffered, not being a real packhorse, in carrying that raft in (plus another 30-33 pounds of essentials, to gain access to the middle of the lake (where the fish seemed to most often be :-)). So, determine your time in to the back country if hiking in. Determine your strength to carry all the gear and comfort gear you will need. It is a balancing act in weight. Today, tubes are much lighter, but you will be alone…in a pinch I could transport another for awhile out on the lake in a raft. Like most things…weighing the positives/negatives…then go for it.
As for patterns, same as most lake patterns. Be ready with midges, damsel nymphs, dragon,nymphs, callibaetis, ants. If you settle for just a few patterns: ants, midges and buggers for backpacking lakes….oh heck…bring them all.
LikeLike
It was a fly rod. I did do very well at this lake and others nearby for Brook trout. The Strawberry Wilderness area is a very beautiful area with reasonable hikes. The view from a ridge between High Lake and Slide L. is extraordinary. That snow was a fresh dusting, while we were there. Thanks.
LikeLike
The lake, what kind of fish in the lake? Did you use a float tube?
LikeLike
Well, I did not own a float tube in ’78. The lake had brook trout. On this trip, I caught the biggest brookie I have ever caught to this day. A large hold over brookie, cruising the shallows. I worked the bank and hooked the fish on a large, Royal Coachman concoction bought at a True Value Hardware store in Prineville, Or. I dabbled with heavy inflatable rafts for awhile. I do recall my pack load climbing from 36 pounds to 66 pounds (I weighted everything to the ounce in those days). Later, I sprung for a donut style float tube.
LikeLike
Was the influence for that hat Serpico or Popeye Doyle?
LikeLike
I have no idea. Silliness, I imagine.
LikeLike