![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mpEVf3dWvAllQ0vCl0qn1YMYA0wb2wUBJ0rgbcDqX2bwmW925rwDzIniNwUlZzceUy4SCm3TA9Ze3RJmhTF-Kytl-JUxKMQfLeRjfPeDXspcycUJasU-bmNZa4QsqAaJ19oecr9l4SY/s400/IMGP1644_edited-1.JPG) |
Me, at Dusty Lake |
This time of year, the weather doesn't always cooperate on the Western slopes of the Cascades (which is why we call it the "wet side"). So Vlad and I jumped in his new Forrester and drove over the pass to the
Quincy Wildlife Area to fish Dusty Lake. Dusty has always been a favorite of mine. Its not quite a "drive-to" lake; upon reaching the trail-head, you must hike down about a mile along a dusty trail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6V6LcBy6VsdPV7P-42O4fZoCIzFqcAOGvJteym-JKy2oc3NJBZuT-hoU7jH0fiFKAFU78uoNI-MfvoQoup-C00DSr7iIe2fzDRY1MbyQMtpxzLiSopb4kiPZUYGce31xsp_NYM0C_w8/s400/2010%2005%2029_0261_edited-1.jpg) |
The Dusty Trail |
Once upon a time such a hike was sufficient to keep most other anglers away, and one could be assured of having Dusty mostly to oneself. Like other lakes in that area (
Dry Falls for one), Dusty is surrounded by towering, crumbling basalt cliffs. Something in the water (alkaline?) bleaches the rocks around the lake giving the whole scene an otherworldly feel.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B6_VK6kA5fm5sSmtQsJ4L0PmJ9rjtyQuTxL5L86aCRCua7kLM1zEA2tPAnO6aT1Tc0dyZ0P-gjY9iyAjQcN4yQrlRQh73WNhHGJUYrUvYXIjdKP6DrFwM3VZNE9Wzkr5YHqYT-SxyhU/s400/2010%2005%2029_0255_edited-1.jpg) |
Vlad Karpinskiy |
Dusty has grown in popularity over the last few years as tales of its largish trout got out. Also, sadly, there has been constant poaching by people of all backgrounds. I am hoping that this explains how
Vlad and I both got skunked on this trip!. We fished for a good 5 hours; Vlad had two strikes. I had a giant fish on for about 5 seconds (and then he was gone).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDaOu5gUodQrsAG8rQ_7K1VZc4YJwMdfC5dkXRsQmp-JzhkhVThW3OfO-hkW7wQWmStnluWgoUAgS-lEBAOfRQE5ECbZTT2DCMG56STzFuR-sJKNyascogjJcdFqYu2KYk5Mn3Au_S_8/s400/2010%2005%2029_0251_edited-2.jpg) |
Launching |
At one point, there was some serious yelling and shouting on the lake from a party that had arrived after we did and had set up on the rocks. They were hootin' and hollerin' because a woman had caught her first fish ever. I approached the group and
I got a picture of her in her bikini with the fish. She was very excited; at age 44 she had caught her first fish ever! How about that.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWFyEvE4ZjpNLmxyRzkg_Ewmam5CTqxLpvnTZnUterUO2RI2-iGw9Vog8JzbrnANafZJYTz-_QDmUCSEoaIeOZ0kRFU_lHnXADZaJkFreBzHrJxF2xstaGSsmG2s6i-OTjsEEnKDwtLQ/s400/2010%2005%2029_0259_edited-1.jpg) |
Dunno who she is, but it's her first fish ever |
If you go: Remember, no bait, no barbs. One fish limit.
Yeah. We had some better days at Dusty.
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