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Woodman
08-28-2011, 07:01 PM
I ventured with the family to a new part of the world for me, Priest Lake, Idaho, about two hours northest of Spokane. Priest Lake is not a blue ribbon trout area, but if you want a relaxing family trip, with a chance to catch a few fish, it's hard to beat. West side of lake is predominantly National Forest and east is state land. Only about 200+ cabins and a few resorts on a lake 20 miles long.

After flying onto Spokane, we fished the North Fork Coeur D'Alene River on Sunday morning before driving up to the lake. Lots of 9-13" westslope cutts on dry flies in an incredibly beautiful river. Probably 50 miles of roaside access with very little pressure, even on a weekend.

Priest Lake is amazing. Lake Tahoe in the 50's is how some people characterize it. It's a mackinaw lake, which is not my thing, but we traveled up the two mile "thoroughfare" to the smaller and shallower Upper Priest Lake and caught cutts on dry flies. As a fmaily trip, much of the time was spent in other lacustrine pursuits.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i343/jwoodling/DSC_0084.jpg

Small tributaries on both the west and east shore are loaded with small brookies and cutts, and there are a number of alpine lakes within driving or short hiking distance.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i343/jwoodling/DSC_0148.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i343/jwoodling/IMG_1282.jpg

If you have the opportunity or inclination to go...do it. You can always catch more and bigger fish, but you won't find many places better to relax and enjoy the outdoors...and be able to boat over to a four star restaurant.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i343/jwoodling/DSC_0175.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i343/jwoodling/DSC_0033.jpg

jbird
08-28-2011, 07:32 PM
Great pictures of a beautiful place. I was there over 20 years ago. We camped on the Priest river. I caught some very nice rainbows on stone fly nymphs.

Thanks for posting. Brings back memmories