Lost Lake, Mt. Hood

Sweet Melissa · 09-11-2009, 07:20 AM

Getting ready for our trip to Lost Lake. I used to camp there every summer when I was a kid, but haven't been up there for a long time. We would typically go in July or August, and nail the rainbows on frog lures or trolled Spruce flies.

Just wondering if anyone has been up there recently. How's the fishing this year? Will the frogs still work up there? My main goal is to help my son catch his first fish, so I'll be taking him out for the early morning troll along the drop-off. Maybe get him out for the evening troll, too, if he's not too tired. Hoping that will catch fish for him, like it did for us 20 years ago.

nookslayer · 09-11-2009, 08:11 AM

Go directly out form the boat launch to the old cabin on the other side of the lake. There is a small stream coming in there and fishing is very good. I would reccomend a spruce fly with a little red in it. Troll it behind the boat or strip it as you said. I would also head to the rock slide in the evening.

Sweet Melissa · 09-11-2009, 10:08 AM

nookslayer,
I remember the old cabin. Never fished over there, though. Do you troll in that area, too?

trouttroller · 09-11-2009, 11:59 AM

I was there last year about this time of year. I fished near the creek mentioned by the lodge and store. I trolled with ford fender and worm along the shore about 30 yards out toward the cabin you see in the corner. Caught a bunch of stockers with no problem. I think I was at 35 pulls with the ford fender with no weight. You might have to adjust that though. Start at 25 pulls and keep adding pulls until you start getting strikes. Send me a message if you have more questions. It's a none motorized lake so keep that in mind. If the picks up your in for a row.

Sweet Melissa · 09-11-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks, trouttroller. We don't have a rowboat right now, so we're going to rent one from the lodge for a couple days. I learned to row on that lake. My mom's (super patient) friend taught my brother and I. Still laugh thinking about rowing in circles before I got it figured out.

Anyway...I'm going to stock up on spruce flies tomorrow, so I'll check out the ford fenders. Have never fished with them before, as the frogs worked so well for us. But, I know they are often used up there. We sometimes had good luck catching little kokes on triple teasers, as well. Seems like we typically got them over by the rock slide that nookslayer mentioned. Ach, it's been SO long since I've fished up there. Too long. Can't wait.

Dan Grbavac · 09-11-2009, 02:45 PM

Back in the day we would troll a #12 mosquito on 12' of 1# leader
150' behind the boat with spinning gear. Row slow and hope the wind gives the lake a little ripple.

Flying Fish · 09-13-2009, 02:07 PM

I have always had good luck fishing the shore just off of the trail that runs towards the campground area from boat ramp parking area. No more than 100 yards from the ramp. I have done real well with rooster tail type spinners.
I have question too. I drove up there early this spring, snow was still all around and they were charging admision from a guard shack on the road just before the lodge. Has this become a fee access lake? I was surprised about the admission fee, considering that Lost Lake is in the National Forest and the lake is stocked with tax dollars and license fees.

Sweet Melissa · 09-16-2009, 07:14 PM

Well, I don't have much of a report. Didn't get to fish much, but did get a few on Pautzke's. It was cold, windy, and sprinkly on Monday. Tuesday was beautiful. Glassy smooth in the morning, but didn't see much jumping. So, I decided to spend the limited time I had fishing with what I knew would work. My son was too interested in playing with his cousin to try much fishing, but he's still really young and there will be plenty of chances to get his first fish.

My husband did hear about an 8-pounder caught off the north side. He also heard they planted recycled steelhead in the lake. Other than that, not much to report.

We had a good time. Stayed in the lodge apartments. I highly recommend them. Hot showers. Electricity. Kitchenettes with a refrigerator and small propane stove. Not exactly camping, but very nice, especially with little ones. And not too expensive in the off-season.