Had a chance to fish Clear Lake today. With the weather finally starting to cool, I was hoping my timing would be good. For once, my timing was right! The water level was very, very low (the 5 acre lake was about one acre today) due to a hot summer and drawdowns for irrigation purposes. Using a gold Mepps
#2 spinner, I was fortunate enough to catch and release 11 trout. Nine of these were Rainbows, doubtless surviving plants from the spring that were 8 to 12 inches and looking healthy. The other two were spunky, small brook trout that just refuse to give up the ghost (skinny and about 7 inches long). Due to mud around the lake, I could only fish from a few logs that were sticking out in the water.

I'd recommend any of the Wenatchee Heights area lakes right now, including Clear Lake, Lily Lake and Beehive Reservoir. All three lakes are catch and release fisheries until they close on October 31st and selective fishery regulations apply to all of them. All have rainbow trout in them, and don't be surprised if you run across some "brookies" too. Spinners, spoons and flies should all be effective at this time of year.

Just a suggestion, but you may want to consider taking in a kitchen type garbage bag when you go to out of the way lakes like these and bring it back full of garbage to put out with your trash at the end of the week. It doesn't take a lot of time and it does make a difference!

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