by Mike Carey, August 25, 2007

Horseshoe Lake in Stevens County has a storied history which has included Department of Wildlife fry and fish production and at one point being drained and the land used to raise hay. Owners Mike and Ron Matney had quite a journey to turn this former hayfield, former production lake into the private trophy destination lake it is today. Twelve years and dozens of permits later, Horseshoe Lake was recently opened for private sport fishing. For those looking for superior rainbow and eastern brook trout fishing in a secluded and beautiful location, Mike and Ron have done an amazing creation.


I first met Mike Matney last winter at the Big Horn Sportsman’s Show in Spokane. My eyes were immediately drawn to his booth and the gorgeous pictures of fish, lakes, and cabins. As I spoke with him further, I learned that 3LakesFlyFishing offers anglers premier, secluded destinations for trophy catch and release trout here in our own state. And to top off the incredible fishing opportunities, anglers are rewarded with excellent, private cabins offering all the amenities one could ask for after a productive day on the water. So I was excited to have the chance to take my family and fish Horseshoe lake this year.


Horseshoe lake is about a 45 minute drive north of Spokane. At a little over 3,000 feet, this 33 acre lake is totally isolated. Surrounded by wooded hills, the lake has been modified from it’s original dimensions to assure the survival of the trophy tripoid rainbows that have been planted in the lake. The Matneys excavated several deep channels 10-15 feet to provide cool water shelter to the fish. Islands were created to allow multiple casting areas from shoreline.


The drive up to the lake gives no clue as to what you’ll see until you turn the corner and the lake reveals itself. The cabin was built in 1947 and has been updated to provide anglers with a totally relaxing environment. A master bedroom and two upstairs bedrooms with bunk beds offers space for eight people. The rooms are fully furnished and all linen is provided. The kitchen is fully equipped. There is a outdoor gas grill and a hottub. In short, the only thing you have to bring is food – and of course your fishing gear!


I took my son James and his friend Kevin out the evening we arrived. Mike and Ron have created “floating docks” with electric trolling motors
attached. These docks are about 15 feet long and five feet wide. They are incredibly stable and offering the best fly fishing platform I have ever fished on.

Three anglers can stand and cast in any direction at ease. The floats really made fishing this lake a joy. And the fish? Well, it was a warm August evening so I wasn’t expecting knock-out fishing, but it was still quite good. We caught several nice rainbows averaging 12-14 inchers. As dusk fell I maneuvered us to a brushy area in the middle of the lake and caught the best fish of the trip, a chunky 22 inch triploid. What a fish!

The next morning I got up earlier and went out by myself. I was geared up with an intermediate sinking line and tossing wooley buggers and Montana nymphs. As I began fishing all around me were rising and feeding fish. There were some big splashes that morning! I stuck with my sinking line because frankly I was too excited to stop and go back to shore to grab a floating line setup. No matter, the fishing was just as good. In the space of an hour and a half I caught and released about a dozen chunky fish in the 12-14 inch range. As quick as the feeding started it ended, and the bite died off. But what a nice AM bite it had been.

My son James had this to say about the Horseshoe lake: "This is the coolest place I have ever been!" That's a pretty strong endorsment from a thirteen year old.


The 3LakesFlyFishing lakes offer a quality fishery which cost about the same as a guided daily fishing trip. But unlike a guided trip, at the end of the day the bonus is you get to stay in a comfortable cabin and continue to enjoy the privacy and scenery of the lake.



The lake is perfect for hard core anglers and families alike. I encourage you to check out their website at www.3LakesFlyFishing.com. You can also view a video from the front page of WashingtonLakes.com.



Owner Mike Matney and Mike Carey.