Fish Lake, OR ....Spring 2013

Once is never enough.

After our last visit and the lowest water that can be seen in Fish Lake, we made an early trip to see it as full as it gets. This time we brought the canoe and fishing poles to see if its name was due to the shape , or that it really has fish in it.

The plan was for this to be an OFD camping trip. Last minute plan changes left us as the only ones going this direction. As it turns out that was probably a good thing on many levels. I suspect some others would not have had as good a time as we did.

Waiting until after 9:30 for a morning appointment meant a later start than we had planned. As it turns out , that was going to happen anyway. Filling the water tank in the trailer revealed a small leak in the fill tube. Inspection showed deterioration and the leak became a major dump. A run to Home Depot for a new fill hose and we were back in business.

A quick stop at the Fire Department to fill up ice and we were on the road by 10:30 am.

Road construction on the interstate and a big fire around Huntington spurred our decision to take the Idaho side on our way to the lake. We kind of wanted to get a good idea of the travel time anyway.

Turning at Cambridge we passed along Brownlee Reservoir. Nice and full. Lots of boats and campers along the river. Oxbow the same story.

Paved roads wintered well. Pine Cr. Road had some signs of cracking, but very few pot holes thus far.

Everything was green and full of life. The day looked as if there might be a few small showers and that it had recently rained. The roads wet with runoff from snow melt. We were watching our time and keeping a lookout for good group camping places along the way. Fish Lake is set evenly between Halfway OR and the end of the pavement on Pine Creek road. 16 miles from Fish lake either direction will put you back on asphalt.

Just below Duck lake a large group was camping the meadow. A couple 40'+ motorhomes and many large campers. We would later find out that one of them was a Caldwell fire fighter I had met at the Federal surplus.

Not far up the road and just before Twin Lakes we ran across a few very healthy elk.

I can see why some hunters might want to keep this area to themselves. Very good hunting spot I would imagine. Road conditions still very good, although getting a little wetter. While it looked like we might get a sprinkle, that never really did happen. It was starting to look like that the snow melt was the whole reason that the roads were getting wet. Some places it would run down the wheel tracks in the raod a little.

Still, no washboard, or potholes. The raod was in pretty fair condition. Warm spring weather and an easy winter I suspect. Now past Twin lakes , past the turn to Russel mountain lookout tower and on the short distance to fish lake.

First sign the roads may not be the best for a larger or less capable rig. Soon after this and just before the road in to Fish Lake we stuck the Avalanche in a drift across the road. Probably 2' deep, wet and heavy. We did not hit it hard , nor did I air down before. I am not sure that would have changed things. With a winch on the front and only a short distance to bare road, I was not worried. I was just getting ready to winch through when the ditchrider arrived from below to give me a pull out. They were up to turn some water out and looking to see how far up they could go. They decided that this was as far as they wanted to go. They suggested we walk in to the campground before trying to get in there as there was a pretty good drift across the road there too.

A short walk through to the lake and we could see that we were indeed the first to arrive this spring. The drift across the road showed a few signs, but the campground was track free in the drifts across the roads around the campground. The drift across the entry road was probably 2 1/2' deep heavy snow. I was sure the truck and trailer would not make it far. We would need an assist to get in. I aired down the truck tires to 25 psi. Not very squishy, but should help. I then lined up for a straight shot and gave it a run...

Made it about halfway through. The front was up on the snow pretty good, but starting to dig. Time for the tree saver strap and winch to pull us through.

Not a real hard pull, but worked the winch good a couple times. We are in!

Gear unloaded and camp set. It was a little cool this evening, but very nice to be away. No one around and the whole lake to ourselves.

The evening was cool and thunderstorms around us. That night after dark it snowed. We received about 1/2" of snow that night. Each day following the weather improved. There was never a bad day, but by our last day here it was T-shirt and shorts weather. The bugs knew. We had a good hatch our last day. It just started to get rather buggy.

Played a little with an under water shot. The next morning a wonderful breakfast of ziplock baggie omlets, bacon and hashbrowns.

The boy and dog were really enjoying the snow.

Day two we decided to take a drive and check out the reservoir. Breaking the trail out would make it easier when we get ready to leave.

It took half a dozen tries to pack the ruts and build a good road straight in. Little did we know that this would be an invitation for all those who passed by to drop in and check things out. The large group we saw below Duck lake dropped in the next day to check things out.

The lake was full. Water over the spillway maintaining the level.

The BLT group shot

Little flowers bloom everywhere. Eagles soar above.

Deer in the headlights! Three deer spent most of their time lurking around camp. They would get very close if we were quiet.

This day a Jeep drove in. An uncle and his nephew. Kind of surprised to see us in here. They camp this lake early and usually don't see anyone. They were also going to camp, canoe and do some fishing. A local told them this time of year the fish tend to bottom feed. We had not been having great luck thus far so took his advice. T caught the first fish. A very nice 11" Rainbow trout. L caught the next a 12" Brook trout. Nice thick body. Fought well too. She thought it was snagged. I kept trying my lure. A few bites, but no luck. The Powerbait and a sinker sure seemed to do the trick.

I had to borrow the lucky pole from Tach to finally catch a little 10" Rainbow trout myself.

Evenings playing games , Jiffy Pop popcorn, hot drinks, and cold drinks. Fresh trout for dinner. Wonderful birthday- father's day.

The road home was uneventful. Snow had melted away in the tracks we blazed.

A couple more elk crossed the road on our way out.

The road down to Halfway was freshly graded. It took half an hour to reach town and be back on paved roads.

Four days. Travel time from the Idaho side was 4 hours. That included being stuck and stopping for lunch. Roads on the Oregon side were much better and freshly graded. The views better , I thought. Travel time was 3 hours. On good roads the travel time was probably about the same both ways.