Trout Lake Report: So Long, Lake

You squeeze in one more trip to the lake--the last trip. You get that last fish--on a muddler. Seasons come and seasons go, and a long season with this lake--ten years--comes to an end. It has been good.

So long, lake.

Trout Lake Report: Change Is Hard

Change is hard--and hard work--but you get away to the lake once again. You range a little farther down the familiar shorelines, saying your goodbyes. A trusty muddler brings some fish.

Trout Lake Report: Standoffish

Busy times. Big changes afoot. But you can still make time for Trout Lake. The trout are still standoffish, but you fool one with a little caddis.

Trout Lake Report: Wind and Waves

Back to the drop off for the evening.

The wind is blowing from the south. You hope it will back off. It steadily increases to a roar.

Your new muddler fits the bill. Lots of marabou.

You rip it through the waves.

Then the wind does back off.

An otter checks you out.

You work the muddler around the weed beds.

Your efforts are rewarded.

Then the wind picks up again, and begins to shift. The waves don't know which direction to roll.

Then it settles into the north and steadily increases to a roar.

The muddler gets another workout through the waves.

The otter comes back with the rest of the family.

Your world becomes roaring wind, rolling waves and waning light.

One more fish comes out of the mix.

You wait for the color to drain out of the notch, then kick in and head for home.