Gents, if you get a chance to fish this beautiful fly-fishing only lake before the end of October, do it. It's hot right now for rainbows in the 17-19" range. Getting in can be a bit of a pain due to the quarter mile walk, but it's manageable. A tube or pontoon w/wheel is the ticket. We walked in two toons on one wheel by stacking them. It required some effort but we had them at the launch in about 15 minutes. A couple other guys in tubes left right after our arrival. After that we had the whole place to ourselves.
The fish were willing. Most were fat and healthy and fought well. They hit everything from bloodworms and leeches to beadhead crystal nymphs under indicators. Takes were solid and decisive. In the end we got about a dozen apiece with many others lost or missed. I'm still amazed that these fish will readily take large, motionless streamer and nymph patterns under indicators! I get the bloodworm thing, but a size 6 black leech??!!
Water temp was 49 degrees. Thought about a report on this trip but heard rumors of that lake already having a poaching problem. Just getting the word out to fellow fly fishermen instead!
McDowell Lake
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Forum Post Guidelines: This Forum is rated “Family Friendly”. Civil discussions are encouraged and welcomed. Name calling, negative, harassing, or threatening comments will be removed and may result in suspension or IP Ban without notice. Please refer to the Terms of Service and Forum Guidelines post for more information. Thank you
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raffensg64
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Rooscooter
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RE:McDowell Lake
This is a great lake and has been fishing very well of late. I was there today and did very well. There were a few others up there as well as the local USFS representative and a WDFW warden.
I used the upper access (down and up the hill!!). Just about everything worked today. The best fish were being caught just below the surface using intermediate line and wine colored chironomids.
Tight Lines!
I used the upper access (down and up the hill!!). Just about everything worked today. The best fish were being caught just below the surface using intermediate line and wine colored chironomids.
Tight Lines!