Metolius with my Family

My parents came out for a visit recently. It was good to see them and they got to see Oregon for the first time. We headed over to the Metolius (along with Britt) for some camping and fishing. A few fish were caught and it got cold at night, but we all had a good time (even if I am now being accused of poking holes in my fathers waders in order to outfish him). (We also went to the coast and my parents went to Crater Lake, so I thought I'd throw those on as well.)

Backcountry

Made another trip into the backcountry. Here are a couple quotes:

"I always think those ultralight backpackers are crazy until I put my pack on."

"It's too bad it's so pretty up here."

Those sum up my feelings for hiking pretty well. It was a good trip despite having to cross over decent amounts of snow and Britt being trapped in the tent trying to avoid mosquitoes. In one lake the fish were small and in the other they were bigger, but in neither lake were they numerous. However, the views and solitude on 4th of July weekend made things just about perfect.

First Backcountry Outing of the Season

I hiked the float tube into Marion Lake for some early backcountry fishing. When we got to the parking lot it was overflowing with vehicles. I spotted the hatchery truck and breathed a sigh of relief. Just volunteers hiking in fish I thought. We passed several people walking down the trail. One boy told us we had good timing, we would have the lake to ourselves. I got excited. Then he finished off his comment, "Yeah, everyone is in their tents right now because of the rain." Oh, that's not what I was hoping he meant by you'll have the lake to yourselves. When we got to the lake there must have been more than 15 tents set up at the first camping area. Not what I wanted to see.

Did I mention it was raining. Rained all day Saturday and didn't stop until we were hiking out. Fish were caught and I saw few other people fishing. However, once I got out on the lake it was like it was just me, the ospreys and the fish (and the rain).

It was a good start to the backpacking season and I am anxious to hike into other places. Now that the snow is melting I am hoping more places will be open soon. (Pictures tomorrow if I remember to bring my camera in.)

The Value of a Fishing Hat

I went fishing for a couple hours locally last night. I caught a couple trout, but I felt like I should have caught many more. I'd get a rise, set the hook, feel a head shake or two and then nothing. I know exactly why this happened. I couldn't find my fishing hat so I was wearing a different hat. That is why I didn't catch those fish. Never mind that it was a Trout Unlimited hat, it wasn't my fishing hat. If I had my old, beat up Penn State hat I would have caught those fish, I'm sure of it. That is the value of a fishing hat.

Don't worry, I found my fishing hat when I got home. Should be great weekend of fishing now that I have my hat.

Summer Time

It's been some time since I've been fishing. I guess I haven't made it out for any serious time since Spring Break. That change this week as I finished up the term and had my grading in by Thursday morning. This gave me time to spend a couple days camping and fishing. There was one great day of fishing and two great days being outside. Here are some pictures.

Happy Memorial Day

One week..... Where to go? Gold Lake? The Metolius? Hike-in lake? The Deschutes? Hmmm....

Yellowstone Fish Management Plan

Slowly Yellowstone is beginning to put more and more effort into protecting native fish. Not sure Yellowstone Lake will ever be the same again since there doesn't seem to be a way to eradicate the Lake Trout. I do think they need to put lots of effort into keeping their population in check and maybe someday we'll find a good solution (or better yet Mother Nature will).

http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/11046.htm


One more week of classes and one review session then I'm free for the summer (well, until I teach). I think some fishing is in order as it has been a long Spring with little time on the water.