Looking for a good lake in Wind River

[cfonnes]

I am starting to plan my backpacking trips for the summer. I would like to go to the Wind River range but have never been there. Does anyone know the name of a lake that would be good for fishing/backpacking into. About 5 miles in would be perfect.

[powerbait]

Don't think it much matters where you go in the Wind Rivers. Fishing opportunities abound. The real question is whether you would like to go after a specific kind of fish. The Winds have grayling and even golden trout, though I think you'll have to go deeper than five miles for goldens. (Cautionary note: the Winds are also fairly wild and remote, so you may not want to get too ambitious on a first trip.) No surprise, but lower elevation lakes (i.e., those that are easier to hike to) tend to have bigger fish. I'm no expert, but look around on the internet. There are a lot of articles describing fish types for various lakes up there.

[cfonnes]

I figured that there are many great lakes there. The problem is that I have never been to the area. So I was kind of hoping for more detail, ie where to park, elevation gain of the trail, which rocks I dont want to trip over, etc...

Other than buying a book, does anyone have a good place to find this info?

[Cary]

The winds have some of the best backcountry lakes in the country, and a lot of duds as well. Most folks are pretty tite-lipped about the better ones, because they want them to stay that way. I wont pinpoint the better ones on-line

My advise is to buy Rich Osthoffs book, Flyfishng the Rocky Mountain Backcountry. My guess is that he regrets writing this book becuase he does hot spot some legendary lakes. Guys like me (and Fort Creek) have capitalized on this.

Becuase he wrote this book, I have expereinced some pretty good fishing. With a little reading and research, you can do the same.

[Sedge]

For information about the trails and trailheads, you can get the Earthwalk maps, and consult the Adkinson and Kelsey books (SLC library or bookstores if you don't want to buy them).

[Cary]

The bioligists have been very helpful in my trip planning, particularly David Dufek ( I think he handles the east side of the Winds). you can get contact info on the web, just google WY game and fish.

[dan moulton]

Try the Boulder Lakes entrance.

That's all I'll say. (Cary)

[Sedge]

My advise is to buy Rich Osthoffs book, Flyfishng the Rocky Mountain Backcountry. My guess is that he regrets writing this book becuase he does hot spot some legendary lakes. Guys like me (and Fort Creek) have capitalized on this.



I absolutely love that book. Lots of ideas for what to do when I win the lottery and quit my job. He takes the position in the book that the lakes he hotspots are protected because they take too much time and shoe leather to get to.

Since hotspotting is frequently debated here, let me ask you,

Without mentioning any names of course, have you personally found any of the lakes mentioned by Osthoff to have suffered or been ruined by excessive attention?

[Cary]

ruined is a relative term. But yes, the lakes he describes, but doesnt name, had obvious signs of overuse when I was there in 2003. If you read the book, you know where I'm talking about. the fishing was good, nothing over 18, but thats OK by me.

there was alot of trash at this place, we spent some time cleaning it up, and believe we left it in much better condition that we left it, but for how long?

Interesting enough, when you meet people in the better, more remote drainages (granted, that isnt a lot of people), I find without exception, they have all read Osthoffs book. However, as I have said, I have personally benifited form his hot spotting, so lies the irony.

[jdubya]

About 5 miles in would be perfect.

as menitoned above, 5 miles goes not get you much. i would look over Finis Mitchell's little book: he actually stocked a bunch of the lakes in early/mid 1900's. he tells you where he stocked fish, and what kind went in any given lake. between that book and a good topo map, i don't think you need much more. but i have NOT read Rich Osthoffs book 'cause I don't want to support hot spotters......heh heh...

[pathaws]

Here is some pretty good info on the Wind Rivers- maybe you have to cut and paste this to your browser? I don't know how to link old forums.

http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-2508