Finally made it!

[Jackalope]

About a year ago, I got hooked on Brook Trout. I searched all over the web, Looking at forums trying to learn as much as I can about Brook Trout

One thing I noticed was that the information on good Brook Trout waters was kept pretty secret.

So I decided that I was going to put the time in to find my own place or to learn about places that hold good sized Brook Trout.

I've had my eye on a couple of Uinta lakes that i thought would be a good place to start. I had exchanged E-mails with the Fisheries Biologist for this area, and he was able to confirm to me that fish did live in the waters i had interest in.

So that leads me to yesterday. I finally decided I was going to hike to one of the lakes, and see for myself what size of Brook Trout lived there.

I set out early so i could start my hike at first light. I had the lake marked in my GPS since this was going to take some bush whacking. After getting things loaded up in my back pack, and checking the GPS I was off. The hike was steep, a lot steeper then i thought it was going to be. I suffer from a disease called OBCD, and i had quite the flare up on this hike.

After making it to the lake, i observed fish rising. I was like a fat kid in a candy store I couldn't wait to get fishing.

I tied on a Marabou jig that i've been tying, and went to work digging up moss, and getting snagged. After loosing a couple jigs, I switched to a small spoon and caught my first fish of the day.[/url][/img]

After working my way around the lake,a nd after a couple more hit, and misses i lost the spoon to a submerged tree. I then tied on a gold Panther Martin. I didn't have any more hits until I got on the opposite side of the like from where i started. The problem with that side was that it was all marsh except for the occasional tree that has fallen in to the water. I started making my way balancing along the trees to the waters edge. On a couple trees my OBCD flared up again, and put me in the water.

I was able to get a couple more Brookies, but nothing to big.
[/url][/img]
[/url][/img]
[/url][/img]

The PM was doing great, but i kept seeing bigger fish rising but just couldn't get any acton from them. I moved on hoping to find something bigger.

I stopped where a small spring entered the lake, and got a couple hits but they would throw the hook after a short fight. Then I snagged the PM atleast thats what I thought. I could not believe it was a fish it stopped the PM like a truck hitting a cement wall. After getting the fish to shore, and trying not to fall in the lake i snapped a couple pictures, but had no way of measuring it. So i marked it on my pole to measure when i got home. It ended up measuring 14"

What a beautiful fish
[/url][/img]
[/url][/img]

After that fish i noticed it was getting time to leave. I had to be back my noon to go swimming with the kids. What away to end the day.

On the way back i wanted to find a better way to the lake that wouldn't make me hike straight up the mountain. I was able to fallow a couple game trails, and will be taking that route whenever i get a chance to return to this lake.

Things i noticed i need for the next trip. I need some hip waders I would have been able to fish some of the lilly pads more if i could get out in the marsh more, and not rely on the fallen trees but moneys tight will see if i get any.

I also need better hiking boots.

I need to take the 2 piece pole in stead of the 1 piece so it can go in the pack.

But what i need most, is to loose some weight.

I also lost my knot tying tool, and hemostats somewhere around the lake.

Sorry for the long winded post, just excited i guess.
[signature]

[LOAH]

That last brookie was a beauty! Nice find.
[signature]

[albinotrout]

Nice report! Those fish look great especially the last one.
[signature]

[Jackalope]

[quote LOAH]That last brookie was a beauty! Nice find.[/quote]

Thanks, i did see bigger fish in there. I'm hoping to make it back up there in the next couple weeks.
[signature]

[Jackalope]

[quote albinotrout]Nice report! Those fish look great especially the last one.[/quote]

Thanks!
[signature]

[riverdog]

Nice brookies. Tons of Uinta lakes have brookies. The key is to find ones that have some of size. Google Earth is a good resource to start with as you can see roads and trails as well as get gps coordinates for lakes. If you click on the blue colored "i" for any Uinta Lake on the map it'll give you a run down on fish species. It's just a bit out of date as it list too many places with albino bows and not enough with tiger trout to reflect recent changes in stocking. However it's surprisingly accurate overall. Here's a sample of what it lists for Shepard Lake
"Shepard (Z-9)
By: Hoobie
Date: 2011-02-23
14.2 Acres 9,980 ft. Elevation 32 ft. Max. Depth Fish Species - Rainbow, Brook, & Cutthroat Trout.
From: Lakes of the Uinta Mountains in Utah - 1 Message(s)
Google Earth Community"
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Hey great post and nice fish! Hey just a suggestion for your future trips, try the DI for waders, you can save a bundle and most aren't in too bad of shape. Also you can pick up a cheap float tube there that will open a whole new world to your fishing on those lakes. It's work to get there but so fun when you do. Good luck. J
[signature]

[Jackalope]

[quote SkunkedAgain]Hey great post and nice fish! Hey just a suggestion for your future trips, try the DI for waders, you can save a bundle and most aren't in too bad of shape. Also you can pick up a cheap float tube there that will open a whole new world to your fishing on those lakes. It's work to get there but so fun when you do. Good luck. J[/quote]
Thanks i'll check the DI for hip waders. I already have a float tube just didn't want to lug it up to this lake.
[signature]

[Jackalope]

I guess i've never noticed the little "i".
[signature]

[gaetzchamp]

Nice post. Congrats on being rewarded for diligence and hard work. Can't wait to see how your next trip ends up.

gaeter
[signature]

[brookieguy1]

Nice work. It would be totally worth it to hike that tube in there. That way you can get out in the lake and work that jig better.
You'll leave the hardware (spinners and spoons) back home.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Nice report and purty pics. Not much purtier than a colored up male brookie.

Hey, I waved at you as I went by the POE today on the way back from Starvy. But you were probably busy. Lots of trucks lined up.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]

[FishingLunatic]

Nice Job! Literally almost every stream or Lake up their has brookies except a few. Size is always the biggest issue...Biggest I ever got was at some lake u had to hike to. If you don't care about size some small streams can be your best friend!
[signature]

[Jackalope]

[quote TubeDude][#0000ff]Nice report and purty pics. Not much purtier than a colored up male brookie.

Hey, I waved at you as I went by the POE today on the way back from Starvy. But you were probably busy. Lots of trucks lined up.
[/#0000ff][/quote]
As long as you waved with all your fingers.

It's been busy since they are holding traffic up the canyon then letting them all pile up.
[signature]

[Jackalope]

[quote brookieguy1]Nice work. It would be totally worth it to hike that tube in there. That way you can get out in the lake and work that jig better.
You'll leave the hardware (spinners and spoons) back home.[/quote]

I want to get to where i leave the hardware home will see i guess.

My float tube isn't very light, but maybe someday if i think it won't kill me I'll haul it up there.
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

If you want to know a secret, you can take your time and hike a little slower and get your tube there and it will be fifty times more fun.
Later J
[signature]