The gate on Gold Lake road which leads to Gold Lake is now open. For all of you anglers who are looking for a closer stillwater option than going all of the way up the Cascade Lakes highway, Gold Lake is a wonderful stillwater option. At about an hour and fifteen minutes from Eugene, it is a closer option than going to East, Paulina, Diamond, Crane, Lava, Elk, Hosmer, or even further to the lakes way out East.
It is a smaller lake making it a great float tube friendly lake. You can drive right up so there is no need to hike in with your tube. It also has a ramp for launching a boat. Gold lake has some spectacular brook trout fishing, and there are some sizeable rainbow trout as well.
Make sure to bring some Chironomids, Balanched Leeches, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Buggers, Ants, and other small dries. Fishing floating line for dries, or an indicator setup work great. An intermediate line works great for fishing small nymphs, damsels, scuds, and streamers in the shallows. A sink 3-5 line works for dredging deeper with streamers.
Below are some fly recommendations
Montana Fly Company Rowley’s Balanced Leech
Have fun out there,
-Simon
Just a reminder folks, gas motors aren’t allowed. Electric motors are allowed as of 2020. My wife and I have had great days in a float tube here. Mosquitoes can black out the sun.