Erma Bell Lakes Outing
June 16-17, 2017
Trip Leader:Glenn Miller 541-359-9522
Signup sheet at May 25 meeting
The beautiful Erma Bell Lakes are located in the Three Sisters Wilderness. The lower lake is about a 45 minute, gentle hike from the campground trailhead. The middle lake is about 5 minutes further and the upper is another half hour or so. Lower and Middle Erma Bell, the lakes we normally fish, are about 40 acres in size with wild, self-sustaining Rainbow trout up to 22 inches. The average size tends to be around 12-14 inches but last year the fish were larger than normal with a number of 15-18 inchers caught. You can keep two fish and sometimes we'll keep a few and fry them up for dinner. For those leaving on Friday morning, we’ll meet for breakfast at 8:00 am at the Sunrise Cafe in Pleasant Hill. After breakfast (around 9 am) we’ll head for the lake. Plans for carpooling can be done over breakfast or in advance. We’ll drive to Skookum CG, secure our campsites (for those planning to camp), and prepare to hike in. The other option is to drive up on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Please let me know your plans in advance so I'll know when to expect you. We'll plan to fish both days till late afternoon.
Directions: The area is accessible from either the McKenzie or Willamette Highway. I’ll describe the southern route. Take Hwy 58 east and turn left at the Westfir exitopposite the Middle Fork Ranger Stationa couple of miles before Oakridge. Follow the signs 2 miles to Westfir and continue straight on Aufderheide Road 19 past Westfir’s covered bridge. Drive this paved route for 31 miles to the top of the divide and just before the Box Canyon Guard Station, turn right onto gravel Road 1957. Drive 4miles to its end atSkookum Campground (4,500 foot elevation). The total drive time is about 2 hours.
Campground/Fees: For those spending the night,acampground with tent sitesis available for $5 per vehicle. If just staying for the day, you'll need a Northwest Trail Pass ($5 per day) or a senior pass (for those 62 and older). The day passes can be obtained at the campsite.
Recommended equipment: A float tube or other light-weight floating device is very handy to get out in the lake and allow room for backcasting since the shorelines on these lakesarevery brushy. I’d suggest a PFD as well for safety. Four or five weight rods work well with both floating and sinking (intermediate works best) lines. Bring the usual assortment of flies for a Cascades high lake in sizes 12-16. Drys (adams, comparaduns, callibaetis) nymphs (pheasant tail, prince, hares ears) and streamers (woolly buggers, leaches, damsels) are recommended patterns. Chironomidscan also work very well. The last few years we've seen some prolific Callibaetishatches in June; it just depends on the conditions at the time.
What to Bring: If you’re going to camp, bring the normal camping gear. Bring cold weather clothing in case of inclement weather. If you have a camera, please bring it along to contribute to photos of the trip. Mosquito repellant is a must although they've never been extremely bad at this time in June. There's a special treat this year; Bill Burleigh is planning to cook a dutch-oven dinner and breakfast for the entire group! It doesn't get much better than that. Lunches are on your own.