Cascade Lake Report: East Lake

A meeting of the Technical Men’s Conference (old dogs who have fished together for decades) was held this week at East Lake. Although attendance was limited to three, much was accomplished. From previous years, we knew the timing of the East Lake Callibaetis hatch should be good.

We were not disappointed. The hatch was full on by 10:30am and continued strong until mid day. Bugs were everywhere and the higher elevation of East Lake (6,400 feet) provided a reprieve from the recent heat wave.

Flies working well on both days were the Thorax Callibaetis, Emerging Callibaetis, and Epoxynymph Callibaetis.

Formed by a caldera over 500,000 years ago from volcanic eruptions, East Lake’s water comes from snow melt, rain fall, and hot springs only. East Lake is one of the twin lakes that occupy part of the Newberry Crater. It is an easy place to relax and enjoy the many species of fish East Lake provides.

Keeping a keen eye toward the bank we had an opportunity to get out of the boat and cast to rising fish.

We saw some familiar faces of the Caddis Fly Shop community on the lake. These anglers were easily identified due to “glazed eyeballs” from fishing with slip strike indicators most of the day. Casting and stripping was the chosen process of the Technical Men. The slip strike anglers also did well.

Reports from most of the Cascade Lakes have been fair to good fishing. The usual lake patterns have been working and anglers should always carry a wide variety of lake flies. The Cascade lakes provide much in relaxation and provides an opportunity to learn more about the great state of Oregon.