Thursday, July 15, 2010

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

New Boat Landing Near Ross Dam

Here are a couple of images of the boat landing and haul road just below the old landing site (down lake just a short distance.)

The setting is stunning.  The National Park Service, Seattle City Light and the construction company did an unbelievable job in getting this prepared for all of us.  We have to walk about 100 yards and up approx. 9 easy steps.  Take your time.

Enjoy the view.  Enjoy your family and friends.

Hey -  if you want an elbow to hang on to ask for it.

We all want to help each other enjoy this experience.

Why do you think some people have been coming back for 50 years or more!




Scout Troop 850 of Lake Forest Park

Hey check out these Boy Scouts after a week paddling around Ross Lake!



Looking pretty good guys - but I bet you miss Mom's cooking don't you!

How many times did someone step in the pancake batter? Oh the ridicule and bitter memories I had to live thru!  All it did was add a little Boundary Waters roughage to breakfast I say!


Scoutmaster Damon LaPointe guided these adventurers around the lake. the beautiful wood canoe was built after many nights working til midnight by Dad Tom Breit.



You adults deserve special kudos for helping these young men become even better young men.

And I bet their Mom's all said a quiet thank you when they saw their toddlers walking up the front steps.

Special dinners were prepared that didn't include feet dipped in batter!


Special note to Gary and others planning on using the portage service.  You may call ahead and plan the portage with the resort.  Pictures depict the trip out but you get the general idea of the haul road width etc.







It is only about 100 yards from the dock to the point where you will load the canoes on to the trucks. The trail is wide enough to have people on both sides of the canoe.  You will unload your gear at the 1st dock, the 2nd dock is where the Seattle City Light Tour Boat unloads and loads passengers.



Good Friends, Fish Tales, and a Lifetime Well Spent

Tom Barnett fails at keeping a straight face as Gary Fuller of Bellevue describes who consistently has been catching the better fish over the last half century.

Ken Tallquist of Mukiltio tried to listen patiently - but that didn't last long. Yeah - like about 5 seconds!

Ken has fished these waters for 53 years.  Gary (the rookie) has fished here every year for the last 48!

These two know what they are doing around these waters.  And they enjoy sharing time here high in the North Cascades.

They promised to try and find some photos from the early days and share those with us.

Nice to meet these guys!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Did I Mention that the Fishing Has Been Pretty Good?

Ho hum.

Another day catching Wild Ross Lake Rainbows.

Mike Johnson of Toppenish displays his morning catch.  This is his 2nd year.

Hey - he don't fish like no sophomore!

Dave Meyers, foists a toast.  He has been coming up to Ross for 33 years.

Like hang out with a buddy, sit in the shade, maybe prop your feet up, catch a z or two and perhaps if you choose to get up - grab a cold one???  You think?

Course you may prefer sitting in traffic on I-5 like I did earlier today.

It's your choice!  

Grandpa Gil Miller, Isaac and Alex Ramsey

Grandpa Gil learns how to catch the Wild Ross Lake Rainbows from Grandson's Alex and Isaac.

They then illustrate the proper way to fillet the trout.

Man oh man, my mouth is watering - look at the beautiful color of the fish.  See, this is what Wild Ross Lake Rainbow Trout look like after fattening up on the red-sided shiners. It ain't no farm fish injected with red dye #2 and sold in big box stores.

Manna from the fishing gods.

Gil learned a thing or two from these two ace fishermen the past week - but they made him promise not to tell their secrets!

I'd say it was time well spent for everyone - eh?








Monday, July 12, 2010

Isaac Ramsey - The Next Generation of Ross Lake Anglers





Few fish are safe on Ross Lake when 12 year old Isaac and his brother Alex Ramsey are let loose to catch the Wild Ross Lake Rainbow Trout.  Grandsons of resort partner Gil Miller the boys are talented and dedicated fishemen.

Tom Barnett Taking a Rare Moment to Relax

Wild Ross Lake RaInbows Ready for the Grill



Invaders Invade Ross Lake

Click photo to enlarge

Just Back from the Resort

Hi everyone, I just spent an excellent 3 days up on the lake.  Met some fine and interesting people and groups.

Shot a lot of photos.

Have a number of posts to write.

Need to tell you this!

The old loading dock on Diablo Lake has been moved to the site of the new unloading spot at the base of Ross Dam.

You will unload all of your gear at the site of the Seattle City Light Tour Boat Float - just after turning the corner after crossing the dam.  It is marked.

After unloading take your car and park it in the usual area then walk back the roughly 300-400 yards.

The advantage - you no longer have to go down and up stairs here with all of your gear and it is an easy stroll back from your car.

You will recognize the old float at the new unload site up by Ross.  You will have to carry your gear up the 5 or six steps and a gentle path of approx. 20 yards to the waiting new Kubota tractor and trailer that Tom bought to carry your gear.  Thanks Tom!  That was a mucho good decision to help us.

After all the gear is on the trailer head on up the 100 yards of gentle grade to the waiting truck.  Your gear will soon arrive and everyone can help load it on to the truck.

It's a wonderful Ross Lake tradition - everyone helping out!  And if you are unable to lift much, well, there always seem to be guests that step up and help and that will offer an elbow to hold onto.  Bam!  You just met some new people. You never know, it could be the CEO of BP or Bill Gates traveling incognito.

Hey it could happen! I took the kids to Glacier NP about 5 years ago and the Secret Service were standing right outside my window all night.  Laura Bush was staying in the room above.

I think......

Hey!  Was that a good thing?

Let me think about this for awhile and get back to you.  I need to look at some of my old blog sites and emails I think.

I'll have more images later tonight and a couple of more posts.

The weather was warm and beautiful, the water refreshing, fishing was great, the snow capped peaks - beautiful.

Gotta go pick up the kids from pole vaulting practice, more later!

Freedom of Information request form site  - lets see where that is.........