The lake was very quiet when I arrived at around 9:00 am or so, only two other people on the water.
Before I launched my float tube I talked to the camp caretaker who said the fishing was slow and the
lake was kind of high after the recent rains. Since it was my first time on Merrill Lake, I figured
that I would fish for a while and see if I should try to come back again when the lake was in better
shape.

I fished for about an hour before catching and releasing a 12 inch cutthroat on an olive wooly bugger.
I was very pleased with the fish, but was kind of hoping for a brown or two. I was not disappointed.
Not long after I caught the cut, I caught a beautiful 16 inch brown which fought like it was much bigger.
To end the day I caught another brown, this one measuring a solid 17 inches. Shortly after that, the wind came
up, making the float tubing rather difficult. I ended the day very satisfied with my first trip to Merrill Lake.

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