Iceland Lake – September 2014

WE did that hike from the other site, up Summit Creek, last year. There are certainly fish in the smaller lake near Iceland, and a lot of fish in Ridge Lake.

You are correct that Ridge doesn't have a lot of great places to camp–but the whole area is pretty darn nice, Thanks for reminding me. Here's what it looked like the day we were there:

Nice trip Justin. Sorry I couldn't join you guys. I hope we can do a trip together this fall/winter. How'd the tenkara stuff work out for you?

I fished in Ridge Lake and had one small minnow show chase after my fly.
In Iceland lake I fished a bit during the day and did not see any sign of fish, not even some small minnows.
In the small lake near Iceland Lake, I fished for about 40 minutes in the evening all around the lake. I didn't see a single fish jump or any sign of fish at all… not even any tiny fish around the shore.

Andrew, I still don't really know anything about fly fishing but I seem to have the cast down. I need to research the different types of flies and how to use them. The flies I used all sank into the water so I'm assuming they are "wet flies" but I didn't know If I should just let them sink or jerk them through the water like a lure or what.

Dry flies will sink if you get them wet. So you may have been fishing a dry and not known it. You are very unlikely to catch anything if you are fishing a dry fly under the surface. I have a little 5cc dropper bottle of Aquel floatant with my fly box that helps keep them out of the water. False casting can help dry them off too, but if they get really wet then I just change flies. 95% of the fish I've caught in lakes have been on dry flies like an elk hair caddis or adams in size 14 so I'd suggest you start there.

Enjoyed the photos. Were the potatoes, carrots, and sausage a stew or soup (been reading the Complete Walker and thinking stew recipes)

Not a stew or soup. Just frying them up for lunch. I'm liking the meals I can plan out with my frying pan better than those I can plan with a pot.

Looks like a good time, your fishing report matches mine from July. I didn't spend much time at Ridge Lake but I didn't see anything in Iceland or the unnamed lake either.