Uintas: Lofty Lake Loop & Teal Lake Spur
Date / Time: Sunday, September 13, 2020.
Location: Uinta Mountains: Kamas Lake, Cutthroat Lake, Teal Lake, Lofty Lake & Unnamed pond that drains into Teal
The Characters: KK
Weather: Sunny and mostly clear, 70s beautiful day
Water Temp: Not sure
Water Level: All lakes with dams were low, lakes without dams lower too very dry
Water Clarity/Quality: Very clear in most lakes except unnamed pond
Moon Phase: Between Last Quarter and New Moon
Hatches: Micro chironomids
Best Flies: Para ant, beetle
Fishing & Trip Overview: Wanted to get back up to the high country as I have been trying to stay in shape and also because I love it up there. It is a great time of the year and no t storms and few people. Wanted to check out Kamas lake since it isn’t a long hike and there are other lakes to the north in the Bear River drainage upstream from Ruth (one I have visited before with Tammy and Anna) that I was curious about. Those lakes were Cutthroat and Teal. I also stopped at an unnamed pond along the talus slope below Mt. Marsell and Lofty Lake on the way back. I was also looking for mushrooms since it had snowed a few days ago after a long dry spell and I was hopeful, although no dice.
When I arrived at Kamas, I saw a few rises near the trail intersection.
Kamas Lake
Tied on a beetle and had one eat it pretty quick, but missed that fish and another. Worked along the southern edge and fish were sporadic rising along the way. I had a few more eat the beetle and missed them, so tied on a para ant. As I got to the eastern rocky edge and corner there were more fish as it appeared the shallows fostered more food. I ultimately hooked and landed a decent cutt and got several more around 10 inches maybe more. There were a few bigger ones around. Cool, very visual fishing leading the visible risers that cruised around. They were pretty picky and several refused it, probably a result of ultra clear water and end of season. Ultimately the small orange and black Richie para ant in an #18 was best for me.
After I circled the entire lake in an hour or so, headed up and over the Ridge to Cutthroat and Teal.
Teal, Cutthroat & Unnamed Lake
As I descended to Cutthroat I could see rises all over, so knew more fish would be willing to play. I spotted a decent tiger in the reeds along the edge, but spooked it. There was also a decent Brookie there too, but it was in the reeds so I couldn’t get it. Caught a few smaller ones which were prolific and all over anything. Eventually spotted a bigger tiger cruising, but it wasn’t interested in eating the dry. Threw on a balanced leech and cycled through a few different streamer patterns and the bigger fish would chase, but reluctant to eat. I got one big brookie to slam a goldilox, but none would commit. Eventually got a good tiger to chase down and crush a green eye leech in the shallows. After that, got a few more to chase it down and refuse but moved on.
I went down the drainage along the talus slope as there was a bit of a trail. I came to an unnamed pond that had a glacial tint to it and immediately noticed a bunch of cutts cruising around. Threw the leech and they would chase it down, but it was too shallow and it would dig into the mud. Threw a lighter balanced leech, but still wouldn’t eat. Went back to the dry and got several to eat walking around, all 10” or so cutts. Spotted one bigger one that spooked. Left after circling lake heading down to Teal Lake.
At Teal Lake, immediate cruisers and risers again. Water was gin clear and had good moss beds. Stuck several more cutts in same size range on the ant and beetle. Eventually spotted some real nice ones again and threw the streamers with same results, one quick take that I missed but all endless follows and refusals. A good lake to come back and try for the bigger fish as it gets cold. Sun was getting low, so I decided I better head back.
Lofty Lake, Trail & Pass
Headed up and over the Lofty Lake pass to complete the loop. As I approached Lofty, wasn’t going to fish anymore but a woman on the trail said she saw a few fish. When I arrived saw a few sporadic risers, so figured might as well. Got a good take from what seemed like a good one and missed it. Lapped around the lake and spotted a few more, missed a few more. Think my line had started to sink but didn’t figure that out until too late. Did stick one good tiger that did a killer slow mow eat right at me. Spotted another one that looked to be 18” at least, but it refused the fly. Want to go back here and try to fool some of the bigger fish. As I left and hit the summit of the pass the view of the East Fork fire burning over in Rock Creek was pretty dramatic. Great day and cool loop.