Hello and Lost Lake Report

I figure the best way to introduce myself is to post up a report in addition to an intro. I’ve been fishing and kayaking for years and finally decided this year to combine the two. I don’t know why it took me so long! This trip to Lost Lake marks the first time I’ve actually been able to catch anything in my kayak. They’re just stockers but hey it’s a start. I’ve tried trolling for springers, mostly just as practice and the boat seemed to do pretty well. So I would certainly like to work actually catching one this year. Love the site. My boat isn’t exactly cutting edge but it’s what I’ve got. I’ve actually had the thing for about 15 years now. Anyway, so here’s my write up and a few pictures. I’d love to tag along with anyone that actually knows what they’re doing for any fishing within a couple of hours of the PDX area. To clarify this is the Lost Lake in Clatsop country.

03-05
Decided to make the drive out to Lost Lake last weekend for the first time rather than joining the masses at Hagg Lake. The road to the lake was in good shape and but there was still a good amount of snow along the way. I made it most of the way but could only get to within about 1/2 of a mile before the snow was too deep. Decided to hike on in and tried my luck off the bank for a bit. There was 3-6 inches of snow on the ground but it was a beautiful day on the lake. After a couple of hours without any luck from the bank, other than a fat salamander, I hiked back out to retrieve my kayak. I hooked up my dog's leash to the front of the boat and then tied it around my waist and started to tow it up the road through the snow. It was actually far easier than I thought it would be. Finally got on the lake with the kayak on a cool beautiful day. There was tons of activity on the surface but the fish weren't interested in anything I was offering. Tried worms, lures, flies, etc with no luck. The lake temperature was 37 degrees and the south end of the lake was still of frozen.

03-12
Decided to head back to the lake after getting skunked the weekend before. After thinking of a few more things to try and seeing that it was recently stocked with an additional 3000 fish I figured my chances were slightly better. All the snow had melted off and the lake was a lot higher than the week before. Made it onto the water about 715 and paddled my way out. I had the fish finder hooked up and made it out to the middle of the lake in about 25 feet of water and dropped anchor. I dropped one line of power bait off the bottom while also working a lure. Started with a pink blue fox with no luck and then switched to a silver and blue cast master. That was the ticket for the day. I'd cast out and let the lure sink to the bottom and then slow retrieve it back to the boat. It seemed I got most of the hits in the 8-15 feet of water very close to the boat. I tried a couple different areas of the lake but only had luck right in the middle with the cast master. Had my limit by 1130 and has headed for home. I didn't see anyone from the bank pick up any fish but the 3-4 guys in float tubes and toons also picked up a few fish. Here are some pics from both weekends.

3-5
End of the road

Was released unharmed..

Hooked up!



Far end of the lake


3-12
Fishing vessel at the boat ramp


Fish Finder set up

The catch

Congrats on your first fish out a yak, and welcome to the site. 

The Salamander catch is pretty cool.

Great first post.  Your going to love this site...it is awesome and a lot of guys who are very helpful/friendly are here.  Check out the "Drillin' and Cuttin'" forum for some ideas on boxes for your fish-finder battery. 
I've been to Lost Lake once and it looks like a great mountain lake...thanks for the report.  I think Kastmasters are great lures...what size did you use?  I seem to have more luck with 1/2oz lures vs the smaller ones.

Yeah the salamander was actually really fat!

I think it was a 3/8 kaster master, the larger ones always seem to work better for me, especially in lakes. Lost lake was a great spot. I think there is a native cutthroat population there too and they also dropped some surplus steelhead in there recently too. Which I saw a couple of them jumping out of the water and cruising the banks. No luck with actually catching one though.

I've been lurking around the site and love all the info! I'm still trying to decide exactly where I want to mount the battery and the milk crates have been in a work in process. Thanks for the welcome, hope to see some of you on the water soon!

That's one heck of an entry you make Noahk!  Thanks for letting us tag along.

It's been years since I've made it up there.  Glad to see it still has its charm.   

-Spot-

That's one heck of an entry you make Noahk!  Thanks for letting us tag along.

It's been years since I've made it up there.  Glad to see it still has its charm.   

-Spot-

Shoot, this site if awesome, I’m just glad I could offer something. Nobody likes the guy that shows up to the BBQ without beer and then ask for a hotdog.

Nobody likes the guy that shows up to the BBQ without beer and then ask for a hotdog.

I like this guy. 

Nice intro and awesome report!  Thanks!

welcome noahk! 

if you love to fish and love to paddle you have found the cure. i dont think it will be long and we will be hearing about an up-grade.

Welcome to the madness =) it is a great time

Speaking of possible upgrades ...
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/spo/2267641531.html

OK Frenzy in PDX for $200

Thanks for the warm welcome guys and the link for the boat! I think I'm going to hold off on a new one for a while before I know exactly what I want. I've always liked sit in boats but I can see how it would be much easier fishing out of a sit on top boat. I'm also a fan of the light weight of my current boat but I'm sure I'll find a new one before too long.

Hello Welcome!!

Great job with the report and pic's.

Chuck

Welcome aboard! You've landed at the right spot for anything thats NW kayak fishing. Cheers!

Welcome to the cure!

I've always wanted to take a trip over there to L.L.

Your pics make it look much nicer than google maps!

Next time you go, post up.

It's beautiful up there, especially when there was all the snow. I'll certainly post up the next time I go.