Breitenbush Lake?

[764488]

Headed up the long rough road to Breitenbush Lake next week. Has anyone fished this lake before? Do you know what parts of the lake to avoid or concentrate on? Any patterns worked well in the past? I'll be bringing plenty of DEET, as the mosquitoes should be in full force.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

G

[Penobscot]

Been up that road a few times from Olallie. Kind of my proving grounds for my rigs. Never have fished the lake. I've heard that the locals can be unfriendly. That being said, the campground has been empty the 4 or 5 times I've seen it. Post a report.

[PayDay]

Been up that road a few times from Olallie. Kind of my proving grounds for my rigs. Never have fished the lake. I've heard that the locals can be unfriendly. That being said, the campground has been empty the 4 or 5 times I've seen it. Post a report.

I haven't been there for a couple of years, but the road in from the south is usually in better shape than the road from Olallie. Never ran into any disagreeable folks either. If you're up for a semi tough hike, take the trail up to park ridge overlooking Jefferson Park... at the top it's one of the most awesome views in the state and full of wildflowers on the way.

[764488]

Fished it on Monday. Lots of lightning on Sunday night. Still lighting up the sky as we drove in in the dark Monday morning. Sawhorses across the Skyline Rd off FS 46 saying "closed to the public". Figured they were because of active fires (smoke haze in the area). Met up with a Trail Maintenance worker in Olallie area who said the FS put them up because they haven't done road maintenance or checked for fallen / leaning trees up there yet. Basicly "enter at your own risk".

Drove over the top from Olallie down to Breitenbush. Road is as rough as ever, but no downed trees in the way. Fished the morning there. No fish caught, a few bites on Woolly Buggers and Carey Specials. Saw some small Chironomid and black Caddis laying egs on the north end of the lake. Went back over the top and fished Olallie for a bit also. Same story there, except no bugs seen. Speaking of, the mosquitoes are thick at Breitenbush, but almost non-existent at Olallie. Spoke with others camping at Breitenbush, and the Skyline Road is reportedly passable.

Nice scenery, pretty smoky (had a fire going just east of us in the Reservation), fishing was slow. That's why they call it fishing..

G

[764488]

Did a little follow up with ODFW. According to their records, they haven't stocked Breitenbush Lake since at least 1996. They say it has a self sustaining population of Brook Trout. Also asked about stocking at Olallie this season. The guy I talked to didn't know, but the website shows that Olallie was on the schedule. Of course the schedule showed that they were stocking fish in June and early July, which was impossible due to snow. Will try to find out if they ever made it up there this year.

G