After the luck I had today, I'll probably return to Ala Spit tomorrow to see if the cutthroat are still around. I'll shoot for arriving between 3 PM and 4 PM. I'd love company if anyone's interested in joining me.

I arrived at Ala Spit this afternoon about midway through the incoming tide and had a fare amount of action: bringing two cutthroat to hand, having two or three others on, and getting other strikes. I was a bit surprised given the time of day and the bright sun. It's also getting close to time for these fish to head to the rivers for the winter. It just goes to show that rules are meant to be broken. I caught fish on a white shrimp pattern as well as my favored marabou sand eel. Some fish were in the seam that forms near the south end of the eastern gravel bar, but others were a little more offshore in the cushion that builds up at places where the current rises over that bar. Most fish were small, but one I landed was about 17".

Our group of 5 fished Leech lake last Tuesday and Wednesday. The parking at the boat launch is open, but the State blocked off the enterance to the camp sites along the lake. However you can hike a couple of hundred feet to a camping site should you have a tent. The first pic is looking up the lake from the boat launch. The second pic is looking back at the launch. Day 1 was slow for drys. Five of us tried various patterns , but fishing was slow. All together we caught about 10 fish is all, not counting the small brookies. Mostly on callibaetis pattens from 14 -18. Those fishing chronomids and dragging stuff had much less success. Day 2 the wind came up and fishing was difficult. It took me about and hour of slowing kicking down to an area where I felt the wind was less of a problem I went joined a cluster of pontoon boats and 3 guys fishing out of prams. All were fishing nymphs etc. Since nothing was coming up I thought this is going to be a long day. I remember seeing a few fly ants on shore and thought I give on a try and that's when things picked up. Keep in mind no fish were rising. I ended up boating 3, lost one that threw the hook after a few jumps, got broken off and missed at least 5-6. All this occurred from 11:30 until 1:30. The fish I caught were 18" with 17 incher that was heavier the the 18 incher and looked like a football. I witness only one fish caught by those around me during the time I was there and the only thing I heard was "where are the fish." In looking at the Fly Fishing Forum on the State website, the reports are fishing is extremely slow and no hatches are coming off. So, should you go up there fish the biggest flying ant you may have and be patient. They will come up. After 1:30 the whole lake shut down and nearly everyone on the lake came in due to wind and no fish. I was on the 6:30 am ferry and was at the lake at 9:30 am. Coming home was a bit longer due to traffic in Bellevue. Our group stayed at the condos at the pass, but they are somewhat expensive unless you stay two to a room.