Northwest Fishing Reports

Is there still any hike-in grayling up near Skagit/Whatcom counties. I went on an overnight backpack trip to a lake in the early 90's to a lake my friend knew of and we caught and released several. But I don't know the name of the lake or how we got there.

I would like to try it again sometime. Does anyone still chase sailfins anymore?

I have heard rumors of them in Washington but never actually talk to anyone that caught one. In WDFG high mountian stocking report I found this:

"Grayling were stocked in a number of locations as early as the 1920's buy only survive in one (high) lake in Skagit Countym Attempts were mad in the late 80's to develop a high lake near North Bend as a grayling brood stock lake, and several fry introductions were made. The effort failed due to predation by wild rainbow in the lake. There is currently no brood stock in Washington, nor plans to develop one."

Its a 44 page report and give no clue to the name of the lake. However I did find a current list of "high mountain" lakes and only one is listed in Skagit County Slide lake near Otter Creek Range 34n Township 11E on the Skagit River 7.5 minute USGS map

It's Upper Granite Lake and I think off Bacon Creek road. Used to be a logging road went up close to it so it was just a slog up and over a hill to the lake. It's rumored that the road has been ditched so it's not as easy to get in.

never seen them south or nothern BC and Alaska

Hey I found some discussion on grayling in upper granite here
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/boa ... hp?t=26597
I think the site is down right now though, cause I can't get back to it. There is also a little article about the lake and grayling in the alpine lakes report section here. some interesting stuff. I've done some hike/off trail/compass stuff, but this seems pretty difficult. If you ever decide to brave it and do go, give me a holler. I just might keep you company. My brother-in-law and a good friend are hardcore hikers and probably would jump at the oportunity.

Viet

i didnt even know we had them in this state only place ive ever seek them was alaska

Wrote an article for Fur-Fish-Game about this subject four years ago after a trip to the only lake in Washington or Oregon with Grayling. Upper Granite Lake is the one. It was an easier hike in the 90's when a maintained logging road got you within a 1/2 mile of the lake. When I went up in 2002 I found that road had been abandoned and the bridge over Boulder Creek about 2 1/2 miles up was washed out. The crossing - even in August - was a dicey proposition and the road past this point was little more than a well used bear run.

I stayed up there three days and never saw another person. All four Granite Lakes have cutthroat and Upper Granite had a few (but not alot) of grayling ranging from 7 to 12 inches. There is actually not alot of room to fish from shore on this 144 acre lake. Lots of steep cliffs that go right into the water. However, It is a beautiful and remote place to fish. It's just awfully tough to get to.

If you want more details let me know.

John Kruse
http://pacificnorthwestoutdoors.com

john do you happen to have a trail map? or you could you put a route down on paper for me? that would be great!

Viet