Ungulates at Lyman Lake

Absolutely one of the greatest joys of being a scoutmaster is that I get into the backcountry with the boys on a regular basis.  Another joy is that I get to help determine the destinations and hence there happen to be a high proportion of those hike destinations where fish may be found!

Lyman Lake Friday Morning

You may remember that I had an experience back in 2011 in the backcountry hooking a goat on the fly.  (See previous post at:    http://fishingwiththemerrillboys.blogspot.com/2011/08/enchantment-lakes-saturday-august-27.html)  Well, this past week while hiking with the scouts I had another opportunity for ungulates on the fly.  Though my presentation was superb, the Renegade was refused on multiple occasions.

Refused on the Renegade!

Lyman Lake cutthroat

I had to give up on the deer and instead settle for a nice cutthroat.









We day hiked to Hart Lake and found lots of willing cutts and rainbow/cutt hybrids at the inlet of a stream from the hillside into the lake.  Chad Byrd, one of the adults on our hike got into the action here as did Brian.

Chad Byrd with a Hart Lake cutthroat trout

Brian with another Hart Lake cutt

After returning for Hart Lake, Brian later found a few cutthroats in small pockets in Railroad Creek below Lyman Lake.  Railroad Creek has very difficult and limited access in the Lyman Lake-Hart Lake corridor.

Friends along the trail

We eventually had to leave this wonderful place and return to our homes.  What a blessing to live in such a beautiful place.

Ascending to Spider Gap to leave Lyman Lake/Railroad Creek basin

Great loop hike with the scouts up and over Buck Creek Pass, Middle Ridge, Suiattle Pass, Cloudy Pass, and Spider Gap.  Lots of vertical ascent and descent.  And of course, some fishing along the way!

Rob & Brian above Spider Meadow.  Brian's last summer backpacking trip as a scout.