Another fun filled mad dash to Washington State to chase Lahontan Cutthroat Trout left Larry, Doug and Bob wanting to stay for another week. We gambled that the colourful cutthroat would be cruising the shore making sight fishing a lot of fun! Well we did have our fill of sight fishing over the 4 days we fished. We also had a chance to fish in t-shirts (and raincoats) and enjoy spring at its finest! The cherry blossoms were out, tulips were in full bloom, lawns were green and the lahontans were hungry! What a great combination!
It takes 10 hours (almost 1000 km) to get to the lake. We pulled into the parking lot at the Big "R' Fly Shop to get our licence and after a quick stop at the motel, we headed over to the lake. When we arrived, nobody was there and we could see cruising cutthroat as we shook our sore legs out after the long journey. It did not take long to gear up and dash down the sand to the lake. We were indeed excited and it did not take long for all three of us to hook up!
Larry had not caught a lahontan cutthroat before so this was a new species for him. Lahontans are noted for their beauty and size although they generally do not give a great account of themselves once hooked. No matter, the challenge was to sight fish and present your fly for cruising cutts. As the late afternoon sun shone, we could see the red and golden sides of the cruisers. At times, you had to dash down the shore and present your balanced leech or damsel several times before you got a take. It is a great challenge at times and at other times real easy. Besides we all needed to stretch our legs out!
The long first day wound down with us eating Mexican and ending the meal with tequila. Now Doug was our scotch connoisseur but he had never tasted tequila. Now that was fun to watch!
The second day started at the Big "R" Fly Shop because it was a rainy one. The Big "R" Fly Shop is well stocked and Doug was overheard heard saying, "Money will be spent!" Fly tying material lined the walls and Larry had a long list of material he needed (wanted?).
Well the rain turned to drizzle and soon enough to sunshine. Back to the lake and lots of hook ups! Brian Chan's baby damsels got a great workout as did balanced flies of various descriptions! We caught several beauties. Of course we ate Mexican again! Great food, ...and tequila!
The third day was cosmic to say the least. We all caught lots of lahontans and several biggies. Larry played with several combinations of flies and our buddy Rick's special fly with a rainbow bead was a real winner! Me, I just used baby damsels and Doug found a balanced fly that the cutts could not resist.
Day 4, you guessed it started off at the Big R again because we needed more fly tying stuff (really?) and Bob finally succumbed and bought that Hardy reel he had been eyeing for his spey rod. The drizzle finally stopped and we had an awesome afternoon at the lake. Bob ditched Larry and Doug so he could fish with his Montana/Spokane friends. His buddy Leon even decided to fish with his spey rod. He caught a sizeable lahontan on his first cast. His buddy Claude had never caught a lahontan but that quickly changed with several beauties to hand over the course of the afternoon. We all fished until the sun crept below the mountains and it was time to hit our favourite Mexican restaurant. Hi fives at the door and a tasty meal ending with tequila made for a perfect end of our fishing. Claude gave his tequila to the scotch connoisseur. Yes, two night caps for Doug! Turn out the lights please!
One of Larry's first Lahontans was a beauty!
Doug caught several colourful tanks!
Heading back to the depths!
Colourful lahontans!
Cool release by Doug!
This lahontan wanted to get out of my grasp!
They grow 'em BIG!
Leon using his spey rod, and successfully!
Claude can check lahontans off his bucket list!
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