Finding ideal places to fish in August can be problematic.  Parents are looking at the restarting of school, the end of summer is approaching and warming water conditions are stressing the fish, just to name a few reasons.  Gold Lake sits at 5000 feet and can be cool at night and should not heat up too much during the day.  Of course, our outing was planned during what may be the hottest days of the year! 

Algae was beginning to grow with the warming of the water, fishing was slow, the campground was full to overflowing and a 200 K run (125 miles?) brought runners through camp at 4:30 to 7 AM giving every dog in camp a reason to bark.  OK, so Gold was not the best selection I’ve made for an August outing. 

TVTU does have some ownership of Gold Lake.  Many years ago (10 years ago?) we installed a large sign stating the fishing regulations for the lake and pictures of a rainbow trout, which have to be released and a brook trout which can be removed from the lake.  TVTU’s name is on the sign as we donated and installed it. 

It is now time to replace the sign or remove it as is badly faded and is looking as if no one cares why the sign was ever installed.  At the time we had the sign made, we had two made as it was cost-efficient to do so.  The second sign is living in my shop.  The issue of what to do about the sign will be discussed at out next board meeting.  (Editors Note:  The board met and agreed to discuss the best time top install the replacement with some thought given to the seasons and the preferences of the U.S. Forest Service.) 

The Technique:

I and another member of TVTU fished Friday evening and Saturday morning with little success.  On Saturday morning I had one fish hit hard enough to break my leader and rip my fly off.  On Saturday afternoon the wind came up hard enough to chase most people off the lake.  By Saturday evening the wind had died and the surface of the lake was like glass.  I noticed at that point that the vortices created by my oars were going back to the area of my fly.

I then let out all my fly line down to my backing to get my fly out behind the boat as far as reasonable.  Within 10 minutes I netted a 12 to 13 inch rainbow.  I managed to catch, and lose, a number of other fish before it became too dark to fish.  My largest fish that evening was a very hefty 15 inch rainbow.  The fishing was not hot, but just enough to keep my interest going.  

The Gear:

I used a 4 weight rod and line.  The line was a full sink, intermediate, clear line with a 5X, 9 - foot leader.  The fly was something I put together in the vise before leaving home.  I used a Dai - Riki, #280, size 12.  This is a 2X long hopper hook.  I tied in a marabou tail and used the marabou also as body material.  Before wrapping the body, I tied in a black saddle hackle to be palmered in with two strands of silver flash material that had been extended into the tail.  I freely give you this information because tomorrow is a different day and you will have to use a different fly and a different fishing technique.  And that’s why it’s called fishing, and not catching!  I left home with four of these flies and returned home with one.

The 180 mile drive to Gold Lake from my home on Friday took me just under 4 hours, including gas stop, food stop, etc.  The same drive home on Sunday took me 6 & 1/2 hours and there were times on I - 5 that I was happy (well, sort of) to be driving 20 mph because at least I was moving.  I now remember why I like to leave town on Thursday and return on Monday. 

Our next outing will be to the Fall River, a tributary to the Deschutes.  The dates for the trip are September 16th through the 21st.  There will be a potluck barbecue on Saturday night with TU providing the meat. 

Directions:

Gold Lake is located about 28 miles east of Oakridge and 68 miles from the Eugene area, near Willamette Pass. Gold Lake is situated at an elevation of 4800 feet. To reach Gold Lake from I-5 travel east on Highway 58 approximately 62 miles to the crest and watch for Forest Road 500. Turn left onto Forest Road 500 and follow this gravel road 2.2 miles to the end.