Long Lake, just south of Republic, was looking to be closed due to closure of Scatter Creek Road, but an alternate route has been readied and the campground is now open.

Although you will need to rely on back roads to get to the lake, the Republic Ranger District has indicated the Long Lake area is accessible and the campground is open.  The route can be followed with forestry maps or on-line maps such as those supplied by Google.

The alternate route starts just west of Republic using Old Swan Lake Road (217), but you should contact the Ranger District just to heading out for updates as this route may have modifications with further rains.

Longtime IEFFC member Hugh Evans, who died March 15, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 9 with full military honors.  That evening, the Evans family will host a dinner from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 707 7th Street Northwest, in Washington, D.C., to celebrate Hugh’s life. The restaurant is across the street from the National Portrait Gallery. A no-host bar will be available.

Hugh, called by many members the best poacher the IEFFC ever had, was known for his unerring sense of humor, his captivating story telling, and his way of leaving club members wishing he would poach them again. He was a fine fisherman, who particularly loved the Methow River. He provided unfailing good company to his fishing partners. He loved fishing so much he often was the last to quit for the day, and on his best days, he introduced himself to many steelhead.

Hugh was a successful attorney and a good litigator. He rarely talked about his military service, which like many things about Hugh, was extraordinary.

Hugh also was awarded the Bronze Star with a “V” for valor for heroism in action on Oct. 30, 1968, when he led his men through dense jungle and on a heavily mined road to help embattled forces, “directing the deployment of his men, and directing them through a hail of hostile rounds with complete disregard for his personal safety and exposure of himself to enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, while encouraging his men and directing their fire on the Viet Cong.”

In a moving tribute to Hugh at his services in Spokane, Jim Craven, Hugh’s law partner and friend for more than 40 years, said, “Hugh was quietly–without any sort of fanfare–kind and generous, whether taking home a homeless veteran for a good meal and a warm place to sleep, or tapping into his network of friends to help an acquaintance find a job.” He added that Hugh “always believed in managing one’s priorities and referred to golf played during business hours as ‘mandatory real estate inspection.'” He remembered that Hugh loved people and parties, and would say, “I’d rather be a liver than have one.”

Craven also said, “Hugh loved to fish and was passionate about it. When he was on a river he was at peace with the world and immune to all its challenges. The picture of Hugh standing on the river with a steelhead in his hands–recently in the newspaper–was to Hugh a snapshot of the Heaven to come. That was Hugh at his happiest.”

After last years devastating fire, there was concern that the fishing at Long Lake, near Republic, might be affected.   It looks as though prospects for this year have improved quickly.

I visited Long Lake today and the campground is open and looks very much like it always has.  There is some fire damage in the campground and around the lake, but the affect is somewhat minor.  The campground was also filling up throughout the day.  They have removed the garbage containers, so if you go make sure you are prepared to pack your garbage out with you when you leave.  They also have signs indicating that the trail around the lake is closed.

The fishing…well let’s say the fishing is good.  I tracked a lot of fish on my finder and I caught a fair number.  I have to say it seemed like I caught more of the bigger fish, although the largest fish would not be considered a monster, (about 15 inches).  I only lost one fish to the loons and I was lucky he didn’t get it first try, because it was still attached to my fly.  In my judgement the three hour trip to Long Lake is certainly worth the drive.

The water level is up, but what does that really mean.

Jerry McBride at Rocky Ford

Jerry McBride and I took a quick trip to Rocky Ford on the 12th of November and didn’t know what to expect.  What we found was that a few spots that used to be fishable are now under water, but where you could fish the fishing was actually pretty good.

There are plenty of areas where access is certainly acceptable, but wear rubber boots.  The water level is up a noticeable amount and that has also increased the flow rate in some of the slower sections.  This may have actually improved the fishing in those areas.  Fishermen were certainly catching fish and there was no special fly that was of particular benefit.  Fish were being caught with both dark and light (white) streamers.  Egg patterns were successful as well as scuds of various colors.  Some success was seen with soft hackle, and some fish were attracted to dry flies.  In other words, fish like you have in the past and you should still have a good day.

Water levels make this area non fishable

Water level nears the bottom of the South Bridge

Make sure you look at whether you can land a fish from where you are fishing and bringing a net that telescopes out could be of great benefit.

The drive is certainly worth it and seeking out new “favorite spots” may be fun.  Rocky Ford should continue as one of the better fisheries to visit for the upcoming winter.