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Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709

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Bench Lake Report
Lewis County, WA

Photos

Details

08/01/2015
66° - 70°
Top Fishing From Shore
Cutthroat Trout
Silver
Sunny
Spoons
Morning
08/08/2015
1
2433

I am going to be pretty sparse in the details on this report, as me and my two brothers in law only fished the lake for a bit over an hour and got skunked. That being said, there ARE fish in the lake, and some good sized ones too judging by the surfacing action we saw (12" or more). We hiked up to the lake very early, getting started on the trail half an hour before sunrise. Arriving at the lake I didn't know for certain whether or not it even held fish, but the aforementioned rises we immediately began to see answered that question.

We tried classic trout lures and flies (kastmasters, vibraxes, rooster tails, knudsens, coachmans, etc.) in your classic subdued alpine colors: silver, gold, brown, green, etc., but couldn't buy a bite. Not one of us even felt a tap during the period we were there. Once the sun got onto the water we saw the rises really taper off and decided it was time to head out to Snow lake, our other destination for the morning.

In retrospect, I wonder if casting a fly on a bubble float would have produced some action. The fish were definitely keying in on something on the surface, however, most of the rises were well beyond casting range of a traditional fly rod. At least we confirmed that there are actually fish in the lake though.

The incredible views of Mt. Rainier were a very nice consolation prize.

Tight Lines!


Comments

EDR
8/17/2015 10:45:00 AM
It looks and sounds like it was a nice lake.
I tend to use my spinning rod with a fly and bubble at the higher mountain lakes because of the trees and brush along shore.
The fact that I can get a fly out a lot further with the weighted bubble is an added bonus. I've also had fish trying to eat the bubble before they see the fly.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709