Reed Lake

Reed Lake

 

For years I kept seeing Reed Lake on the maps (GPS co-ordinates N49-35-184’  W119-22-536’) and have yet to hear any reports of the fishing there. Somehow, I never got around to investigating it until now. Reports in the Fish Wizard list the species present as brook trout and rainbow trout the final impetus to set me out on this search, a little bit of exploring early in hunting season with the bird and deer guns along just in case. Normally I don’t get serious about hunting until November when it is easier to care for the game.

 

Today I left the canoe at home as I expected a long hike in from the locked gate on the Ellis Creek Forest Service Road. It was Saturday October 13^th and already there was frost on the windshield as I left in the morning. The plan was simple; up the Carmi Road to the Beaverdell Road past the Ellis Reservoir to the Weyerhaeuser 201, a short distance north and then left on the Ellis Creek Forest Service Road. The landscape kept changing from second growth timber to clear cuts at different stages of new growth. There are lots of small side roads, but keep on the main road until just after the 64 km. sign. Turn right here and then to the left. I parked and then carried on the old road for 885 meters to Reed Creek and then headed up an old logging slash for 322 meters, where I found the lake.

 

It’s a bit rough, but if the gate remains open, I should be able to carry a canoe in next summer. I see no reason why the gate should not remain open. The recreational use poses much less risk to the watershed than logging operations.

 

Unfortunately there was a little ice all around the shore and I was unable to really check out the fishing. However I walked all around the shoreline and noticed several tiny streams feeding the lake, which had fine gravely bottoms. Perhaps these would be just enough for a natural spawn. The lake itself is a quiet little gem set in tall timber. The shore is gently sloping grass, so in the warmer weather using a belly boat or wading in with a fly rod could be interesting. If all goes well we will give you an update on fishing here next summer.

 

By eleven it was obvious that the ice would not be off the lake for the day, so I headed back downhill checking out hunting possibilities. This area is not my regular haunt and I wanted to figure out how best to hunt the thicker terrain. I met a fellow cutting wood who has accessed Reed Lake from Howard Lake, but this appears to be the route with the shortest walk.

 

I slowly made my way down to the Ellis Reservoir, tried fishing there for an hour and then headed out on the flats behind. Checking the stocking reports, Ellis Reservoir has been stocked with Pennask lake fry in September the last six years. It looks a lot more inviting for fishing when the dam is full. In the fall, however, there is a lot of muddy shoreline to contend with which does detract from the desire to fish here. Of course, with the lower water the fish just might be concentrated into smaller areas.

 

Not particularly excited by the fish action, I checked the maze of old roads south and west of the dam before heading home. I did see a few grouse and only a few bottles and cans. Yes, there are still a few people who do not respect this beautiful area where we live. There are a couple of places where it might pay to set up a tree stand for deer hunting as there is a good Population of mule and white tail deer in the area.

Note: This was in 2011 and somehow, I have not had the time to get back in to check this out. If anyone has any new information, give me a shout.