One of the great moments that happens rarely on a fishing adventure occurred last week at Lake Cushman: We all caught enough fish over the three days that we lost count of the individual numbers. No one was worried about outdoing the others because there are enough "good spots" on the lake for all.

One of the finest lakes I have ever visited; Lake Cushman supports a self sustaining population of several varieties of trout, and landlocked salmon. The lake has water so clear, you can see fish swimming fifty feet down. None of the fish we encountered had the "overfed" football shape that indicates farm raising. Rather, the specimens were sleek, and wily. They were incapable of understanding Power bait as a food, and thus are not catchable by that method. (No stationary bait is noticed.)

Rising prominently out of the waters are several high peaks, some of which reach 3000 feet almost vertically from lake edge. Topped with snow, and like Kracken to the beguiled sailor, they inspire awe, and a sense of humility to the visitor. This fine gem on the Olympic peninsula should be listed on the "must see" of pacific northwest attractions.

This particular weekend: the weather was cool and cloudy with an occasional shower, but the fish didn't seem to notice. We started out the day at 9:00 on the North end of the lake, (which is no short, four mile boat ride from the resort marina). We began by trolling 15-20 feet from shore. The lake level is about 15 feet low, and it is necessary to watch for submerged stumps, and outcroppings of rock. After passing though a narrow channel of boulders, I hooked up with a 16" cutthroat using a blue and chrome Kastmaster. The fish was quite sluggish at first, and I thought I had been snagged on a stump, but the closer she got to the boat, the harder she fought, until at the boat, I thought I was wrestling an alligator.

The strategy we used seemed to work anywhere on the lake: Troll 15-30 feet offshore, when a fish strikes, make several passes back across the same area. This would produce several strikes, then the school would move further along the shore, then return to a straight troll until another hookup.

We did not use fish-finders, or downriggers, so depth was controlled by trolling speed, and lure weight. I do not believe our trolling depth ever exceeded 25'.

The fish ranged in size from 8-16 inches and several species were observed, including: Rainbow, Kokanee, cutthroat, and a large black-mouthed species that I will assume were landlocked Chinook. (Chinook are reported up to thirty pounds in the lake)

I never once in three days changed that blue and chrome Kastmaster, and I think I will retire it and frame it for display in the "lure hall of fame". Considering the number of fish, and the abundant opportunities for snagging, I think it deserves it.

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