Posts: 173
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
Hitting the Gorge next weekend and will be fishing below the dam learning a little fly fishing. I was wondering if I could get a little help with two things.
First, where is a good area to tent camp around the dam? Any good areas away from the crowds where you can light fires?
Second, is it worth taking a float tube or pontoon to fish the lake? Any tips on where to go? Again, somewhere by the dam.
Any help or tips would be appreciated. Thanks
[signature]
Posts: 1,013
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
There is a federal camp called Greendale right by the Lodge. $15.00 per night. Also Firefighters Memorial is close at the same price. There are also camps by the Cedar Springs boat ramp
You can access the reservoir from the Dam or Cedar Springs
and fish for Rainbows, Small Mouth Bass and Kokanee Salmon. There are even some small Mac's in that area. Vertical jig with spoons, Castmasters and other jigs. If you have a fish finder you can find suspended fish otherwise just drop your lure to the bottom and reel back up a few turns and jig.
This is a great time to fish the Dam and Cedar Springs area. Power Bait may also be productive there.
Fly fish with nymphs like Copper John's, Pheasant Tails and other small [black]nymphs. Use a larger fly like a San Juan Worm or Glow Bug as an attractor and add the small nymph about 18" behind the larger fly. Use enough weight to out the flies on the bottom. Mend your line as needed for a drag free drift.
[/black]
[signature]
Posts: 6,353
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2006
Reputation:
0
I have some friends heading up tonight for a 2-day trip. I will post what i hear when they get back. They should be back tuesday afternoon.
Last time they went up, 3 weeks ago, nobody caught a thing the first run from the dam to little hole. The next day they got creative and landed 78 fish between them. Believe it or not, they used baby bass shad raps in the medium size. One guy even used baby bass rattle traps with good success. I saw pics of the fish and shad raps stuck in fish's mouth's. Might want to try one![cool]
[signature]
Posts: 173
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
Thanks for the info guys. So are there plenty of trees around cedar springs, Greendale, and Firefighters memorial? Sounds like it would be worth taking the pontoon with the fishfinder.
[signature]
Posts: 1,774
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Trees every where. The area by Cedar Springs may be your best place. There are two camping grounds there and both are on the hill side and full of trees.
If you are like me, you will come back again when you have more time to spend there. There are too many places to fish and sights to see for just a few days.
Close to the Gorge is a place called Green's Lake Lodge. It has a private pond full of big Rainbow Trout. You can catch and release fish there for $5.00 a day from your pontoon.
You can also drive to the Sheep Creek Bay area and fish the Gorge over there. Sheep Creek Reservoir is also close by and full of big Cutthroat Trout. You will need your pontoon to fish it because the shore is too weedy to cast. Woolly Buggers are great for there. Use a sinking fly line.
Have a great trip and report back.
[signature]
Posts: 81
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2003
Reputation:
0
Has anyone tried for Crayfish in the Gorge? We are plannig a trip out there in a couple of weeks and my son really wants to catch a crayfish.
Thanks
[signature]
Posts: 163
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
Reputation:
0
At night,they are everywhere where the bottom is rocky
[signature]
Posts: 81
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2003
Reputation:
0
Waldocod,
Thanks for the info. Do they get very big?
[signature]
Posts: 163
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
Reputation:
0
Yes they do!They have those big, nasty red one's in there that like to grab a finger[pirate] We just use flashlights,turn over a rock and use an aquarium net to get 'em.A trap would be easier but i've never used one.
[signature]
