With Dave back from Europe, we headed to Northrop. The 3-mile hike in with packs, tubes and gear was uneventful due to cool temps that kept the rattlers at bay (but not the mosquitoes). Surface water temp 67. Complete overcast with 5-10 MPH swirling winds. Temps 50-60. We managed about forty 12-18" rainbows between the two of us while fishing barbless blood worms, chironimids and various nymphs on both floating and sinking lines. Each of us lost several more. Dave had one hooked that ran 20-plus. While forty fish may sound good, the action has definitely declined. In past years we would usually get 70-80 between the two of us, sometimes more. I know, I'm spoiled! This past winter was long and hard and some winter kill may have occurred. These fish are fat, strong and healthy and are the most beautiful trout I've encountered in eastern Washington. Cookie-cutter, spotless, colorful rainbows that make me proud to practice catch and release! We had the lake (actually a pond) all to ourselves most of the day, despite being a Saturday, until two other guys showed up at 6:30 as we were leaving. My heart nearly broke when they began stringing them up, but then I thought, "No problem, this is a put-and-take lake, and the WDFW will plant fry again next year". So much for my secret lake!

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