Evans Lake: On Tuesday, July 1st I headed up over Thompson Pass to hike to Evans Lake. The Trailhead to Evans lake is about 6 miles or so on the Montana side of Thompson Pass. I went up Evans Gulch earlier in the spring and was stopped by snow about 1/2 mile to the lake. The creek crossings were more than knee deep and very cold. This time around I never got my feet wet in the 3 main creek crossings. The trail to Evans Lake was in very good shape and had be cut out a few weeks ago. I made good time, making the 3.5 miles in a little under 2 hours. It is a 2000 foot climb over those 3.5 miles so not just a stroll. I arrived at the lake and was disappointed to find that the lawn chair had finally been taken away, so no lounging along the shore. I brought a pole ended up not fishing. There are lots of Brook Trout in the lake but wasn't going to keep any so didn't put the pole together. Took a walk around to the far side of the lake, took some pictures then had lunch. The bugs weren't bad, didn't need any repellent. I stayed over an hour then headed back to the truck; only took 1.5 hours on the way back. Per everytime I have been to the lake I didn't see anyone. It was a nice day.
Tadpole Lake: On Wednesday late afternoon Skye & I headed up onto the stateline road 391 past Silver Lake with the intent to fish Tadpole Lake the next morning. It was going to be hot on Thursday so I wanted to get to the lake early, but I didn't want to get up real early to make the couple hour drive. A couple years ago I bought a tent that fits over my truck bed. I use it a lot of times when I camp the day before at a trailhead. Don't need to find a spot for the tent, just something level where I can park. We were on the trail just past 630 and at the lake just as the sun hit the west end. It is only about a mile hike, but half is cross-country. Fishing was good, would have been better if I could have actually kept most hooked. Kept a few and let some others go to get bigger for next year. Not as good of a catch as last year. And yes for those that want to know the bugs were horrible. The mosquitos started in when I dropped off the trail into the brush above the lake and stayed with me the entire time at the lake and the climb back out. Both Skye and I had good repellant, so good except for swallowing a few of them.
