Brookie hunting

[Big3d]

First,

How are you? yeah... you... over there... on the other side of the screen...

Second,

Does anyone on here know where I can get into some brookies? I live in Tualatin, I'm willing to drive within a few hours max. My Fiancee isn't a fisher, but she will be joining me, probably no more than 1/2 to 1 mile if a hike is absolutely necessary. Also I need somewhere that is Legally open this time of year. any thoughts??? Thanks much feel free to reply or pm me, just want to taste the sweet flesh like I did in my childhood in central OR, btw little lava lake was always good to me in C.O. but way too far to drive for a day trip

 

[Big3d]

good call thanks

 

[PNW Sam]

I fished a lake called Tumble Lake just out of Detroit (actually before the town itself), and it was very easy to fish.

I went last July I think, and it was the first time fishing after I had major surgery... and I was using a rod that comes in a cute little kit with bobbers and stuff designed for 6 year olds. Even with those slight disadvantages, I killed the brookies with 1/16 oz Panther Martins from the bank.

Another well known option is Marion lake, which is much larger and will produce much bigger fish. I was catching 5-8 inchers at Tumble, but a 12 incher at Marion isn't uncommon.

These are, however, both hike-in lakes. I would certainly not advise doing either of them before next June. There won't be much snow, if any, up there right now, but it will be cold and if something were to happen you would be in serious danger.

That being said, if you can wait till next spring, go to one of those lakes (or another one you find suitable if you wish to search for your own)! Tumble is easy to drive to, and a 1.5 mile hike straight down in to the bowl the lake is in. Marion is a little longer hike and quite a bit longer on the driving time.

If you want directions or want more information on other Cascade lakes close to the general area I'm talking about just shoot me a PM any time. There are dozens of other lakes around and I'd love to help you out.

Also, brookies will be mainly in high mountain lakes or streams. Stream fishing for trout is now closed and the lakes are pretty much out of the question at this particular time like I said.

 

[Big3d]

I have been looking at Bull of The woods area i think thats a great Idea thanks

 

[PNW Sam]

The Bull of the Woods Wilderness area is full of lakes. I've been looking in to some hike in lakes and I'll be hitting some this summer. The only thing is that most of them are fairly long hikes. For example, I am planning on doing Twin Lakes, and it is a 4.5 mile hike from the trailhead at Elk Lake, and it is the closest lake that is accessed from the south.

As I'm sure you know if you've read the regulations book, the lakes in Bull of the Woods Wilderness have a "no-limit" on size or number of brookies. However, the lakes are small and very lightly fished, so you will find a ton of fish, but they will pretty much all be stunted in the 6-10 inch range. This holds true for pretty much any hike-in high cascade lake (except for the large ones like Marion), but the fish will be great for eating at that size.

Also, if you decide to do a hike I would highly suggest stopping by the Department of Forestry in Salem and buying a map of the area you plan on going to, and then study the map and bring it with you. The map that covers the Detroit area is titled "North Cascade Protection District Northwest Oregon Area 2007". It is double sided and goes from the Columbia river at the north, all the way south to Green Peter Res., the Middle Santiam Wilderness, and Marion lake. This is the best, most detailed map you can get and it shows every trail.

I would also suggest stopping at the blueprint place in Salem and getting the map laminated if you get one. I can't remember the name, but it is east of the Grand Hotel a couple blocks. Laminating the map cost like 9 bucks if I remember correctly, and the map itself wasn't very expensive either.

 

[brandon4455]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zMdVdMCPuE first video i saw of marion lake.. lol

 

[PNW Sam]

SHOOTERSNW is the best. That's the first vid I saw of Marion Lake too lol.

 

[rmadachik]

The Bull of the Woods Wilderness area is full of lakes. I've been looking in to some hike in lakes and I'll be hitting some this summer. The only thing is that most of them are fairly long hikes. For example, I am planning on doing Twin Lakes, and it is a 4.5 mile hike from the trailhead at Elk Lake, and it is the closest lake that is accessed from the south.

As I'm sure you know if you've read the regulations book, the lakes in Bull of the Woods Wilderness have a "no-limit" on size or number of brookies. However, the lakes are small and very lightly fished, so you will find a ton of fish, but they will pretty much all be stunted in the 6-10 inch range. This holds true for pretty much any hike-in high cascade lake (except for the large ones like Marion), but the fish will be great for eating at that size.

Also, if you decide to do a hike I would highly suggest stopping by the Department of Forestry in Salem and buying a map of the area you plan on going to, and then study the map and bring it with you. The map that covers the Detroit area is titled "North Cascade Protection District Northwest Oregon Area 2007". It is double sided and goes from the Columbia river at the north, all the way south to Green Peter Res., the Middle Santiam Wilderness, and Marion lake. This is the best, most detailed map you can get and it shows every trail.

I would also suggest stopping at the blueprint place in Salem and getting the map laminated if you get one. I can't remember the name, but it is east of the Grand Hotel a couple blocks. Laminating the map cost like 9 bucks if I remember correctly, and the map itself wasn't very expensive either.

I thought the Elk lake and Twin lakes area was hit pretty hard by the fires this summer. someone please correct me though if I am wrong.

 

[rmadachik]

I too was considering a trip to Elk and Twin lakes this summer among other options and opted for the Sisters Wilderness area instead because of accessability concerns in Bull of the Woods. Having those maps would have helped at the time lol. Thanks for the awesome info PNW Sam.

 

[Big3d]

Good stuff, I'm thinking I'll start my girl off with the short Tumble Lake hike and work up to some longer ones. also, No Brookies in the Coastal range right? just bows n cutts?