06-24 REELLIFE digital - Flipbook - Page 13
makes cooking the fish
easy or you can make a
skewer and cook it open
over the rising heat of the
flames. High mountain
trout make a great lunch,
probably because of the
work it takes to get to these
lakes as well as the views as
you sit along the shoreline.
One of my favorite ways
to fish high mountain
lakes is with a lightweight
fiberglass spinning rod. This
rod is nearly indestructible
and can take a beating
while strapped to my
pack. The spinning outfit
allows the angler to cast
lightweight lures such as
Roostertail's and other
spinners, but you can also
use a plastic bubble style
bobber and a dry fly. Fly
fishing is a lot of fun and
a lot of the lakes will have
gradual shorelines as they
are remnants of large ice
fields. Other lakes might
have a scree field where
you can climb out on the
rocks but be aware of your
back cast and that rocks
can shift. In the early part
of the month it might still
be a bit chilly to wade, but
by month's end a day out
swimming and wading in
the cool water also means
being able to cast further.
Regardless if you use a fly
rod or the spinning rod with
a bubble bobber very few
things can beat a rising
trout taking a dry fly. Most
of these fish will be small
and malnourished due to
long winters and not much
bug activity in the chilly
water. This means using
small dry flies such as a size
12 elk hair caddis or a size 14
mosquito. Light leaders in 4
to 6-pound monofilament
will suffice and keeping the
mainline light, around 6 to
8-pound test will help with
casting long distances.
June offers the first
chance at getting up to
the backcountry. Lakes will
become active with hungry
trout and snow will melt
from the trails. Load up the
pack, be ready for changing
conditions and strap on the
trout rod. It is finally time to
head to the high mountain
lakes for some great fishing
with incredible views.
JUNE 2024 | 13
