Wind River/Bridger Wilderness

[ScottT]

Anyone hiked up the Boulder Lake entrance (Vera, Christina, North Fork, and Gordon Lakes - etc., too many to count.) in the last couple of years?

Used to go up in that section quite a bit many years ago and want to return. Big Sandy and Fremont entrances are becoming really crowded areas - probably because the hike is not nearly as severe as that 1st 6-7 seven miles up to Ethel Lake at the Boulder entrance.

Heard there was a pretty good size fire in that area a while back. Any input?

Thanks!

[Ouzel]

I think your best bet would be to contact the Ranger Station in Pinedale.

[Caddfly]

I remember back in '98 I went up with the scouts and base camped at Ethel lake and fished the surrounding lakes. Ethel had some nice sized cutts, Vera wasn't too shabby either. Winona was AWESOME!!! Damsels, PT, HE, anything that resembled a damsel or mayfly was killer! We caught some huge cutts (our record was 20 inches, a trophy in the Wind Rivers I'd say) and timid they weren't to the flies we offered. They'd even hammer hopper patterns thrown out. It was definately the favorite lake of the trip.

I'd also consider going to the east side. I do believe its on the indian reservation, but I 'hear' these fish are incredibly large. The mystery fish might just stay such, who knows?

Caddfly

[Bonefish]

Scott- I went in via the Boulder trailhead last year, and the year before, and the year before.....

There was a major fire in 1988 which they are calling the Horseshoe Lake fire of 88'. It really did mess stuff up. Ethel is more or less a wasteland, and it seems like the fishing actually has gotten worse and worse since the fire, but it is still pretty good. The creek hiking up is still one of the most beautiful you'll ever fish, and the fire damage doesn't start until you hit the switchbacks about 6 miles into the hike. From there the fire damage is intermittent here and there all the way north to North Fork and Victor. The bulk of teh damage was from Horseshoe Lake (west of boulder) north to the Cook and Wall Lakes. Don't let the fire damage freak you out- its been 14 years now, so go on up and have a good time. That hike from Boulder to Ethel is an absolute pisser- you gain about 2,000 feet in elevation within the last mile and a half- but for my money, the Winds are a piece of heaven. I can think of at least 16 or more lakes where I am almost guaranteed to at least hook into a 20"+ cuttie, while I can only think of one like that in the Uintas. The Winds are something special, but plan on spending some time getting to the good stuff, everything is a minimum 2 hard days hike in to get to teh honey lakes. Have fun.