If I could use one word to describe this day of fishing—sight-fishing for cutthroat trout and having a chance to catch trophy-sized fish—it would be incredible! With the presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris just around the corner, everyone seemed stressed and worried about the results. I decided to escape everyday life by heading to the mountains for some fly fishing.
When I reached the alpine lake, recent snow, heavy rain, and strong winds made the temperatures freezing. The water was likely as cold as it would get this year, making it probably my last chance to fish an alpine lake for the season. My buddy Casey @humbugvideos and I had planned this trip for months, aiming to reach a lesser-fished area of the lake. So, despite the weather, we packed up and headed into the wilderness, a decision that turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made.
“Struggling” was an understatement. We fished for several hours without a bite, with only one or two average-sized cutthroat trout to show for it—not exactly worth the wet clothes and long hike. Still, we stuck it out, braving the freezing conditions and slow fishing. Desperate, I tied on one of my favorite lake fly patterns, arguably the best lake fly pattern ever, and it completely changed the day.
We started seeing large trout moving into the shallows to feed on nymphs and other aquatic insects. I patiently waited for my chance to catch one, knowing I’d only get one shot not to spook the fish. Finally, a cutthroat came into view. I took a few casts to ensure my presentation was perfect—and it was! Slowly stripping in the nymph, I watched as he chased it down, and BOOM—FISH ON! Again and again, we were presented with opportunities to catch these beautiful fish, making it one of the craziest fishing days of my life.
Casey and I watched an incredible day of fly fishing unfold before our eyes. Though we weren’t catching big numbers, the fish we did catch were large and stunningly colorful! Their vibrant, fluorescent red bellies and golden backs were as beautiful as any fish on Earth. Then this happened: as I was walking along the bank, Casey pointed out a rock ledge where he had just caught a nice fish. I set up the camera, cast right off the ledge, and let my flies sink until they disappeared. Strip, strip, strip—suddenly, my line ran into the depths! I set the hook and pulled in a massive, brilliantly colored cutthroat trout. After a long fight, we finally landed the biggest trout of the day—it was absolutely stunning! Casey and I were ecstatic about how amazing the day had turned out, catching several of these gorgeous fish against one of Idaho’s most beautiful backdrops.
You often hear about the fishing in places like Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, with their well-managed lakes. Idaho might be a little behind in lake management compared to some neighboring states, but this fishery is what every lake should be like, given how much goes into our licenses.
We couldn’t believe the size and colors of these fish, and we still can’t. This lake is one of those places you could daydream about forever. I can’t wait until next year for another shot at the one I missed—both times I’ve visited this lake, I lost the biggest fish I’ve ever felt on a fly rod! Hopefully next year, I can finally land that fish. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this video. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more content like this!
