Finally visited Black Pine Lake in the Okanogan on the 7th and 8th of May....

Wow.

Snow is 95% melted around the lake, I was the only angler around both days. Very windy made rowing the pram tough, but the fishing for westslope cutts was as good as you could imagine. It's rare you can drive to an alpine lake (this one is near 4000 feet up, gang) this one is a rare beauty. Nice campground, boat launch and even a surprisingly nice fishing dock for as remote as this place is.

First, DO NOT take Poorman Creek Road to the lake. It is crazy steep, twisted and extremely rough, so narrow in many long stretches if another vehicle was coming down you could not get over out of the way. Dangerous!!! This road is straight out of Lord Of The Rings. Take the other road from Hwy 153 south of Twisp, it's 12 miles of fairly good dirt road.

Now the fishing...

Westslope Cutts are some of my fave trout, hard to find them like this without a serious hike to a remote alpine lake. The WDFW plants 2000 every fall, and the resulting fishery is outstanding. The trout were on or near the surface, no one part of the lake better than another. They were very aggressive, I just tossed the one lure I always use for westslopes when I hike, a 1/16th oz gold/red dots Little Cleo, light line (6#) Most were 12 to 14 inches and very well fed.

The best bite was in the afternoon in the bright sun! Nearly every cast resulting in a strike or fish on. Great fun, amazing scenery and hated to leave. I'm going back soon!!!

The Landlord
Remember, kids, what isn't tried, won't work.