Tom's View From Ross Lake Resort

Hi Everyone Welcome Back to The Blog

2011-02-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

Friends schmoozing in front of the cabins mid-Sept.
From National Geographic Adventure Magazine
Photo Copyright 2011 Paul K. Anderson

It's been an excellent 4 months here in western Washington. The holidays were fun, guests special.

But it is time to get back to work and start talking a new season coming up for Ross Lake Resort.

I just talked with Tom and he has been out shoveling snow from the cabins and platforms so they don't get too much accumulation. Tom has spent the past few months researching the best flies to tie and has been trying to perfect patterns for the lake.

I'm probably going to meet with Tom get some photos of the resort in late winter and try and capture a few images of Tom working hard in front of the wood burning stove.

If you are interested in seeing a few more of my images from the lower Skagit Valley and the Chuckanut Range please read the blog I also edit at the Chuckanut Conservancy.

Bald Eagle knocked off a Snow Goose carcass by a younger rival.
copyright 2011 by Paul K Anderson

Farm on Fir Island, lower Skagit Valley,
Tundra Swans head out to the Salish Sea under threatening snow clouds.
copyright 2011 by Paul K Anderson

Cheers Everyone,
Paul Anderson

Speaking of fishing we just received an excellent response from Cory Hoyt on the blog post about catch and release of the larger fish. Please read his well thought out response.

Thanks Cory for your input!

The trout population is doing really well, and is self-sustaining. Selective gear rules and reasonable keeper limits ought to be enough to keep the population strong. The other side to this is that if there are too many fish, the maximum potential size will become stunted and we'll see more unhealthy fish plus the fish will be generally smaller.
The shiner population is going to make this a trophy fishery...it already has.
The main challenge to keeping the system viable as individuals is to keep only the fish you'll eat, and release all others. For me, that means releasing as many as 50-60 fish in the week I'm there.
The other major problem I see every time I'm up at Ross (and I've been going to on & off for 30 years) is poaching/illegal fishing.
I'll no longer tolerate it. This year I'll be reporting all violators I see to the ranger. Last year I saw 2 boats of people pull up to May Creek and all four people in the boats started putting baitfish on their hooks and pitching 'em out towards the falls (I was further in towards the falls testing the swim patterns of my lures). They saw me and shot looks of guilt my way, but still continued to fish illegally right in front of me.
I've seen people pull fish out of the water with their rod and seen the fish flopping around in the air still attached...barbless hooks don't let you do that.
I've seen scared teenagers bring in fish so their Daddy could remove the treble from the fish they caught...which had powerbait on it!
I catch these fish using several different methods, but always legal.
If anyone needs a Ross Lake guide, I'd be happy to show you how to catch plenty of fish up there...you'd of course, have to pay for my stay and boat rental!

cheers,
Corey Hoyt

Another perspective on the fishing

2010-11-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

Al Adams one of our "regulars" sent this to me a couple of weeks ago and said I could share it.

In his words:

Our "guys trip" started many years ago (I take notes on all our trips now but the thought didn't occur to me early on). I think we started with 10 guys or so probably 20-25 years ago. The fishing was usually pretty lousy. I don't remember ever keeping many of the fish we caught. Usually we kept just the fish that would not have lived.

Over the years the fishing has been marginal at best as I have mentioned. Anyone who has come up here over the years can attest to that. We continued to come up because Ross Lake is truly an amazing, unique place. We surely would have been in BC salmon fishing if catching was our sole objective. This year was a different story. Our core group of guys dwindled to 3 this year. From barely daybreak to dark we were fishing. The really good news is we caught fish. And not in the typical way. We trolled sinking fly lines with flys. Large flys, size 6 hooks. We tried different patterns each day. We fished so close to the shore at times the inside rod had to be careful not to hit the rocks. We hooked a lot of fish! The pictures we took were only of fish that were at least 17". The largest was 21". On a side note - the weather was perfect. There was virtually no wind, all day, every day. Temperatures were in the high 60's in the afternoon. In fact it hit 71 degrees one day. Unbelievable! We have fished in snow storms in the past. To be able to wear t-shirts in October at Ross Lake was weird to say the least. By the way, we also caught two bull trout- probably would have gone 21+". I think I've caught two bull trout in all the 50 trips I've made to Ross over the years. With one exception, we released all the fish we caught. I would encourage everyone else to do the same. I would love to have to buy 10 lb. tippit material next year.

Al Adams

Eric Brewe

Ken Brewe

The old mans comment:

I would also like to come clean and say I have been one of those fly guys for some time. I personally have no use for that "pop gear" and when some of our guests started to dial in fishing the lake with flys I started to pay attention and I mean "what work" I have to go fishing kind of attention and I must say I fished Ross Lake more this last season than I have in the past 30 years combined and I had a blast! All I can say is stay tuned. If I'm not here to greet anyone next year I'll probably be out fishin.

Winter at the Lake

2010-11-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

I think winter has arrived. Right now its 15 degrees F. and the wind is blowing out of Ruby Arm at 20 plus MPH. That makes wind chill at about -19 degrees. Yup its cold. Thank goodness we only have these events about once a year and this one is suppose to break in a couple of days. About all you want to do is hunker down and keep the wood stove burning. I did get out for awhile yesterday and had a nice walkabout behind the resort. Its fun to see all the tracks in the fresh snow. Saw Deer, Bobcat and there is still a Bear out and about who I'm sure won't stay out much longer in this weather

Cold, Clear Water!

2010-10-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Think historically of the Cascade Range and you think of logging. Over the last 100+ years virtually every acre of public land has been logged - except for those areas that were economically not profitable to harvest. Some of that remaining land was the basis for the creation of the National Park and wilderness systems. Today, many leading scientists and former officials of the U.S. Forest Service recognize that the number one ecosystem service of public lands, will not be timber harvesting or grazing, but the year round availability and slow release of clean water.

©Paul Anderson

Catch and Release?

2010-10-09T14:17:00.001-07:00

Editors Note: I've broached the subject of catch and release above a certain size as a possible means of enabling the wild Ross Lake Rainbows to flourish and create a trophy fishery. Amongst fly fishermen catch and release is a common practice.

Congrats to those of you that caught these big fish. Remember how just a few years ago we were scratching our heads hoping to catch a 13 incher? So we would really like some feedback from many of you about implementing a voluntary program next season?

Would you provide feedback please. We want to keep this as totally transparent as possible with all of you Sportsmen getting involved with your ideas.

thanks - Paul

From Josh Runestadt

Hey Paul,

I agree with your sentiment about Ross Lake being a special place! My family used to make trips yearly when I was younger and have only just started returning (this being the second year in a row).

I am a flyfishing junkie and fish catch and release always unless I catch a hatchery Salmon or Steelhead. I would totally support Ross Lake being Catch and Release. Ross Lake could probably turn into a real trophy fishery.

I do understand campers wanting to keep a fish for the fry pan, but I do cringe a little when I hear people talking about how big and how many of those recovering wild rainbows they caught and brought home.

Josh

25 1/4" Wild Ross Lake Rainbow

2010-10-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy Ross Lake Resort

Congrats to Fred Smith what a beaut.

High Dynamic Range Photo of Ross Lake

2010-10-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

©Paul Anderson

Sustainability of Large Wild Ross Lake Rainbows

2010-10-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know quite how to broach this subject because I don't want to upset anyone, but I know that the people that come up and stay at Ross Lake Resort year after year after year do so because they love this resort, love the lake and love the surrounding mountains, so I will bring this to a discussion level that anyone may want to participate in.

This year has been an incredible year for fishermen on Ross Lake - everyone seems to be very happy.

Wild Ross Lake Rainbows over the last 5 years have grown from an average size of 12 -13 inches to 14 to an average now of 15 or more inches.

Many large fish have been caught. Including a 25"+. I saw and photographed some beauts. I applauded and celebrated with you for catching those trophy Wild Ross Lake Rainbows because I know that you have fished here for a number of years when it was lean.

But you still came back because of your love for Ross Lake, the Resort, and the North Cascades.

No one knows - the best fishermen, scientists, Fish & Game, National Park Service, and most certainly not me - what the sustainability of these large Wild Ross Lake Rainbows is going to be if we continue to harvest them in the years ahead.

So I throw out to you - the Ross Lake Fishing Community: Should we as a fishing community, friends who have been coming here year after year through good fishing and lean years, open the discussion and look at a voluntary program of catch and release on these large Wild Ross Lake Rainbows?

Before it becomes a sustainability issue.

Before scientists make a recommendation.

Before Fish and Game or any agency feels it is necessary to regulate further?

I think as Sportsmen we all know what that answer is or should be.

I think it is a golden opportunity to do something special for an area we love so much. a payback for what was given to us.

Again I applaud each of us that have hooked or netted these beautiful large Wild Ross Lake Rainbows.

Maybe if we do this small but significant gesture, Ross Lake will become known for the large Wild Ross Lake Rainbows for years to come.

I look forward to a discussion with anyone that has an opinion, trollers, fly fishermen, die-hards, professionals, once a year people.

Send your feedback to Paulinbham@gmail.com

News Flash-News Flash-News Flash-News Flash

2010-09-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

A huge wild Ross Lake Rainbow was caught this week.

25 inch +!

More info with photo soon.

North Seattle, Bothell, Kenmore, Shoreline and Issaquah!

2010-09-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

The guys from North Seattle have been coming to Ross Lake for 23 years now and enjoy each others company, catching the Wild Ross Lake Rainbows, eating fine meals and relaxing under the high peaks of the North Cascades.

Mike Pearce on left, and Paul Olson on right display a couple of their cleaned Wild Ross Lake Rainbows just before heading over to the their groups Salmon BBQ.

Salmon marinated in garlic infused teriyaki and cooked on a cedar plank was on the menu prepared by Eric Lindstrom and Greg Fink. Notice how the smoke from the coals and the cedar plank waft around the salmon and permeates flavor deep into the flesh.

HEEEY!! Whaddchaw Catch Those Fish With Buddy, U Can Tell Me!

2010-09-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

Odin Barnett, son of Allison and Jerry Barnett, spent the summer on the boat dock cleaning, fueling, running canoes and boats up lake and learning the resort business from one of the best in the industry - his cousin Tom Barnett.

All these lures were left in the boats and fell out when Odin cleaned them. So, what are people using for lures? Well, this is an unscientific sampling but it includes Bingo Bugs, Dick Nites, Needlefish, Rapalas, Buzz Bombs, Tomics and several other varieties.

All of you have kept Odin and his 11 year old brother Bode stocked with lures. Thanks!

Bode is a fishing machine and has recently started using a fly rod!

I asked Odin if he had any tips for the guests? "Nah, everyone is really cool. I guess if there was one thing I would say is that when they start up lake on that 1st boat ride they look out at those walls and just let their stress ooze away."

"They are on a vacation in a really beautiful and special place here on Ross Lake and in the North Cascades."

A Guys Guy - Doug Horton

2010-09-24T14:20:00.001-07:00

all photos this post © Paul K. Anderson

Doug is a Ross Lake friend I enjoy seeing every September. Excellent fly fisherman, fly-tier, flyfishing model, superb cook.

Doug comes up for a week and when he isn't out stalking the Wild Ross Lake Rainbow or tying his latest steelhead pattern preparing for his trip to B.C. you may find him cooking for Tom, Carol and the staff.

This night it was pot roast marinated in red wine and secret spices, seared with his special coating of flour and secret spices and then slow cooked in a mirepoix with tomatoes, the red wine marinade, garlic, pepper, some more red wine and maybe some red wine.

I heard a noise, looked and saw the mayor and his councilmen pressing their quivering noses against the window, standing in the rain holding up their Wild Ross Lake Rainbows and a bottle of red wine as an offering for a slice of the pot roast. (1 councilman even held up a sorry looking can of Bud Lite - --- pffffttttt!) alright I used a little literary freedom here I guess - but it could have happened!

Geeze guys cmon - show some dignity- try bribing with a bottle of single malt and maybe a bottle of truffle oil, or a thick slab of foie gras - Hey for that I'll at least introduce you to Doug and let the rest be up to you!

As Doug put the lid back on the dutch oven he looked over and said "Paul, you should have been there for the mayors party - it was a blast......"

Doh!

Ruby Creek Art

2010-09-23T19:52:00.001-07:00

Andy Goldsworthy is one of my favorite artists. His works are created from the natural materials found in the immediate environment. Many of his outdoor installations are fleeting - lasting until the turn of the tide, the next gust of wind, spring floods, or until the relentless, inevitable pull of gravity takes over and reconfigures the work.

We visited the area where many artists before have stacked the river rock into their own installations.

The base of a large cairn that the teenagers assembled last year was still intact.

Here is a link to an incredible artist. His books can be purchased at Village Books in Bellingham - my local and favorite bookstore.

http://www.rwc.uc.edu/artcomm/web/w2005_2006/maria_Goldsworthy/TEST/index.html

http://villagebooks.com/

Support your local artists, support your local bookstores.

All photos this post ©Paul K. Anderson

Meet Andy and Tamara Bennett

2010-09-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Every time I visit Ross Lake Resort I meet interesting and really nice people. I suppose it is normal that people on vacation are relaxed and friendly but there is something about this resort that generates a sense relaxation or peace that I don't find other places.

Maybe it is the uniqueness and history of the floating cabins, or sitting in the middle of the North Cascades, or knowing so many of the guests that keep coming back year after year. Maybe it's the adventure of getting here - not all that difficult but certainly a different experience - being so close to the metro areas of Seattle and Vancouver B.C.

This trip is no different. Strolling down the dock I met Tamara and Andy Bennett from Seattle. They were sitting out in front of their cabin enjoying their time together sitting in the adirondack chairs reading by candlelight in the deep, deep twilight of this North Cascades evening.

We started talking and I discovered that Andy is a blogger on several sites of his own.

Andy owns and operates 4 fishing lodges in Alaska, British Columbia, the Bahamas and Chili through his company Deneki Outdoors

Check out his website and blog on www.deneki.com he has a good blog going and also is an excellent photographer.

Good writing, good photography, good fishing advice and tips! Can't get much better than that.

Glad to meet you Tamara and Andy!

I plan on reading your blog regularly.

Meet Andy Cassady

2010-09-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Want to meet a good fisherman? Meet Andy!

Andy is a commercial fisherman I posted about when he was visiting Ross Lake Resort this past July.

He fishes in Alaskan waters commercially for salmon and off of the coast of California for squid.

On his time off he visits Ross and catches huge Wild Ross Lake Rainbows.

Andy fly fishes his own flies - a simulation of the red sided shiner. He trolls them in shallow water very close to shore with line stripped almost all the way out.

He reminds me a bit of the character Gus Orviston in David James Duncan's book The River Why.

Andy's a guy I would like my 16 year old who is just learning to fish to follow for a day to pick up some of his skills but more importantly his passion for this wonderful sport of Angling.

photos this post courtesy of Ross Lake Resort

A Small Visit to Ruby Arm

2010-09-21T00:17:00.001-07:00

click photos to enlarge all photos this post © Paul K Anderson

Skagit River near NCNP Visitor's Center in Newhalem

2010-09-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

click photo to enlarge - all photos this post © Paul K. Anderson

Rockfall on Highway 20

2010-09-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

A Penguin walks into a Bar and the Chimpanzee Says...........

2010-09-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

We arrived Thursday afternoon and it was beautiful. Recent rains had waterfalls at levels suggestive of spring, not the banal trickles of late summer. Mosses and lichens on the hillsides were green instead of the brown, desiccated look of the typical late summer.

After greeting all the friends/guests from years past in nearby cabins we began to hear talk.

Stories!

Rumors!

Innuendos!

The self proclaimed mayor of Ross Lake and his ~~crew~~ counsel had hosted an evening, the night before, for all guests of the resort and staff to meet at an appointed hour and eat red meat (or wild Ross Lake Rainbows if you chose), drink, tell lies, occasionally swear, and generally let their collective hairs down.

As I walked past cabin after cabin everyone who was a guest on Wednesday came out, greeted me and then said "Paul! You have got to go down to the counsel chambers and meet the mayor!"

This from people I've know to be stoic, normal, tea totalers!

So! I did. Sort of.

First I had to meet the deputy mayor pictured above on the right. He then tested me to see if I was mayor worthy.

I was tested with a taste of 18 year old Irish Whiskey, then ordered to come up with a joke to tell - I did - the one about a penguin who is driving across the desert and his car breaks down...........

I passed with flying colors and was escorted into the ~~bunkhouse~~ inner chambers to meet the mayor.

Cameras were not allowed in counsel chambers.

But soon the mayor invited me back outside on a political junket and showed me what they had just gotten back from doing.

As I stood there admiring their catch the guests from the bunkhouse next to counsel chambers stepped out, greeted me and said "Paul you should have been here last night!"

Doh!

Here was a group of Cougars who obviously were straight laced and would never have been caught dead at the Coug at Pullman telling me I missed something special. Hearing their recollections from the the night before, the evening

was obviously an amalgamation for these Coug's of "The Big Chill" and possibly "Summer Vacation with the Griswolds"!

The mayor stood guard in the background. Ensuring no obvious fabrications of the truth or for the matter the truth itself was released for public consumption.

All I can say is that I had an excellent time meeting politicians and Coug's. And before we headed back to our cabin the mayor threw his arms around us and said "same time next year."

I walked back by the office and saw Tom sitting outside and sat down with him. Hoping to discuss some photo projects he would like to see. Tom pondered the question for a moment and replied "Man Paul, you should have been here last night - the mayor hosted a party..............

Doh!

I walked back to my cabin and the resort seemed to be listing a bit.

It was a long, lonely walk. No one was out in the adirondack chairs to greet me. To guide me.

They had all gone to bed early.

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Oh, and did you hear the one about the Husky and Coug who ran head on into each other on Snoqualmie Pass and the Coug says to the Husky..........................

my view after meeting the mayor

another view after meeting the mayor - he bought my vote!

Teenager Dinking with the Old Man on Ruby Arm

2010-09-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

'OK this trip up Ruby Arm is getting to me, I just can't sit here and do nothing on the ride back to the cabin, the girls are back at the cabin and I can't mess with them. Dad's probably thinking about that problem for work. How much scenery do we have to see? Is there any food left? Bacon! Bacon I want Baaacccooonnn!!!!

"Hey look it's water, how cold is it, how wet is it, do we have any water balloons to throw at Mackenzie or Dana, can I catch a leaf, hey maybe I can catch a fish barehanded, whoa the Old Man just moved his leg! He's awake - a target"

"I feel better already - look the Old Man is bursting from ear to ear with a smile.What should I come up with to mess with those girls?"

"Food, food, I need fooooooooooood!"

"I gotta think up something - those girls have been sitting back at the cabin thinking about how they can mess with me this whole time, they don't know how smart I am. I am Austin Powers of the Ruby Arm! Girls liked him!"

"Baaaacccoooooooonnnnnnnnn......................"

A Thursday Afternoon Drive Through The Chuckanuts

2010-09-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Chuckanut Range from Samish Flats

click on any photo to enlarge

all photos this post ©Paul K. Anderson

Work has been crazy and you weren’t able to sleep so you get up at 3AM and drive the 67 miles and all day it’s been one thing after another until your shoulders are so tight that it’s starting to give you a headache and then the traffic on the 67 mile commute back home is terrible too so by the time you reach Conway you decide to go backroads but you know the wife is going to call you a hick from Iowa, “that must be all they do back there on Sundays- drive backroads”, and you resent that remark because you know that you’ve been living here in Washington for 33 years and shouldn’t be considered from Iowa any more, and then you stop at the Rexville grocery and notice a nice selection of wines, cheese, micro beers, salami’s and other items you could select if you brought the wife with and wanted a picnic together but a little further up the road you drive through Bayview and look in on the workers at the boat works and hope the recession isn’t killing them like so many other small businesses and then just ahead you can look over the apple orchard and see your Chuckanuts, you drive down the slope past thousands of acres of blueberries and potatoes and corn and even wheat and then just a little past the turnoff for Samish Island you cross the Samish River and see hundreds of fishermen and realize

the king salmon are returning and it is going to be a great year for fishermen because these fish hold such a strong emotional grip on you and the fishermen, the Lummi’s and other Native American's, and you grab the camera and walk up one of the dikes and meet guys who are from Bellingham, Seattle,

Mt.Vernon, Ancortes, Russians, Japanese, Hispanics, Pakistaniis,Vietnamese and fishermen from just about everywhere - dads, sons, young dads, old dads, young sons and old sons and all seem to have grins especially Micael the young dad who just caught a nice king and his son in the kid carrier who is looking over Dad’s shoulder to see the fish

and you remember the smell of your own dad’s neck as you hung on him piggy back style when he was carrying you down the trail when you were little and tired so later when you leave the Samish after noticing a sign that this Saturday they were going to have a smoked salmon contest in a small lot right next to the river and you think, “how cool is that”,

you drive by the Longhorn in Edison remembering the Oyster shooters you gave to your nephews from Montana last time they were visiting and they ate those Samish Bay oysters but were already plotting the next time you were visiting them in Montana they were going to make you try those Rocky Mountain Oysters not realizing how often you ate those things on Sunday nights when you were a ski bum and playing poker with the mayor, chief of police and owner of the Mucky Duck and they kept trying to convince you to buy a fly rod and try it out on some of the beaver ponds and streams just out your door, but you didn’t have time with all of the climbing, hiking, rugby and photography you were doing but now that you need to reduce stress in your life and have bought fly rods for you and your son maybe next year go visit your brother who is the best fisherman you’ve ever known and float down the Big Horn River, wonder what kind of hatch will be going on but hey why not try to spend a day or two on the Henry’s Fork, the Yellowstone, the Madison, and you remember a former girl friend whose dad lived each summer in a tiny trailer next to the Madison and that one summer when you visited him the editor of one of the big fishing magazines mentioned that her dad was one of the finest fly fishermen in America,

whoa pull over and see what is on the menu at the Rhododendron Cafe this month, so you get out of the car trying to determine what this months theme is and walk up to the menu by the front door and read: Chicken Saltimbocca with fresh sage, prosciutto, provolone, marsala wine sauce; Zarzuela spanish seafood stew with brandy, sherry, olives, tomato, garlic; Couscous with Lamb and Apricots, bell peppers and Moroccan spices; Grilled petite tenderloin with gorgonzola, wild blackberry demi glace wow gotta come back for dinner - must be some kind of North African or Italian, or Spanish theme, then with so much food on your mind - crazy must be hungry and you stop at the Morgan Family Farm organic veggie stand and buy on the honor system yukon fingerlings, basil, zukes, squash, carrots, onions, leeks, fennel and maybe when you get home make a curry with major grey chutney and Indian spices but just then you see something that makes you wonder why is that pod of porta-potty’s traveling across the bridge like that - you just don't see that every day and then chuckle about the time up at the Edmonton Rugby Tourny when your buddy Ed tipped one over on a guy who was rude and cut in front of him just as he was opening the door and the hideous howls emanating from within caused everyone to casually stroll out of the immediate area and then when it was finally uprighted out popped this enraged 6'6" smurf,

but look at the marsh grasses how would Wolf Kahn paint those and what wild colors blue maybe hahaha would he use and are those pilings from an old cannery or saw mill or do they resemble headstones in a graveyard and did Edward R. Murrow play around these pilings

so you get back in the car and drive up the one lane road and turn back on Chuckanut Drive and drive through Blanchard to see if they are setting up yet at the community center for the salmon bbq and then you see a hang glider getting ready to land in the Wake family front yard so you rush over and snap a photo of a seam on it and wonder how Rothko would portrait it in one of his geometric paintings

and as you cross back over the bridge you think about those porta-pottys and wonder what kinda storyline could be developed for those travelers - a day in the life of a porta potty - and you think nah that’s too bizarre and an editor would probably assign you to do it and how would you photograph it with any dignity and what if someone did take offense, because you really don't look all that great in blue and you remember those double knit blue bell bottoms your mom bought for you and the chef at the Oyster Creek Inn waves at you when you honk on the way down to Taylor Shellfish farm but soon you are back on Chuckanut and heading up Cleator road for a view and to see all the way up to Canada and over the San Juans

and a sailboat is at anchor in Chuckanut Bay and that reminds you of the trip you made with Joe-Joe and Punjab and the old girl friend and remember how the two of you meaning you and the girl friend not Joe -Joe the dog faced boy won the dance contest in the bar at Friday Harbor going crazy to Junior Cadillac and you stop in the cool, humid, shade of the grove of Red Alder and photograph the trunks

against the maze of underbrush and young fir trees but it’s getting late and you want to stop in Fairhaven at the cheese shop to bring something home to enjoy with a glass of red wine

Quel Fromage - Old Fairhaven Pkwy at 12th St

and after you get home you grab some shavings of good cheese, crackers and a glass of wine and remember your old girlfriend died of cancer just about a year ago and sadly left a teenage son behind and you hope that doesn’t happen to you but you realize you haven’t had a headache for hours and when your wife asks what are you all going to do this weekend you say maybe you all should all drive down Chuckanut Drive to Edison and listen to a blue grass band, maybe try a few oyster shooters, maybe drink a glass of oyster or clam nectar but Ivar used to have a sign up at his restaurant that said a husband had to have a permission slip from his wife before they would serve the nectar to them and you are feeling very relaxed and your shoulders aren’t tight any more and you realize that drive thru the Chuckanuts has that same effect on you every time but wow work well it feels like you haven’t been there for a week and you better call Jerry and finalize the arrangements because the annual September trip to Ross Lake Resort is next Thursday and this year maybe is a good time to hike up Desolation to the fire lookout where Jack Kerouac spent that summer and started writing Desolation Angels and you remember that you are gong to sleep well tonight and can’t wait to get back doing something in the Chuckanuts and your wife looks at you and smiles and you wonder if maybe there isn’t some clam nectar in the refrigerator and she says “a Sunday Drive?”

“You are such a hick........”

Nice Note From the Rudolph Family

2010-09-03T21:28:00.001-07:00

Thanks again to Tom and Carol's team at RLR, our family had another great week at Ross Lake.

While we were camping at McMillan, a bald eagle decided to hang out with us as we enjoyed the sunny weather. While I wish I had his (or her) view from that roost, I was content capturing a photo of the rare moment.

Have a great summer, see you next year.

Don Laura and Ian Rudolph

Fishermen - These Addicts Are Everywhere!

2010-08-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

Traveling the back roads between Wilbur and Odessa, Washington I was pleasantly surprised to find this mailbox expressing the creative talents of the addressee.

In my eye tho, a mailbox made up to look like a Wild Ross Lake Rainbow would be even better!

A toast to all of you that love to be expressive about your hobbies and passions!

Geez -bad as photographers...............

Winding Down the Day Up Lake

2010-08-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Returning from a short hiatus - was visiting a few wheat fields, the Methow, Okanagon, Grand Coulee and the Channeled Scablands.

Washington is an amazing state and by having an awareness of the topography, the geography and a little knowledge of history one can interpret the landscape and understand better our role (both good and bad) in this landscape and environment.

I'll show a few images from that short trip in another post - but for now it's nice to look out over the upper reaches of the lake again.

Thanks for your patience and notes wanting to see more images.

Smoke from fires east of the North Cascades drifts over Desolation (Click to enlarge)

Jack of All Trades

2010-08-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

When staff members have the day off, jack of all trades Tom Barnett and Will Shields get a good workout by cleaning boats for the guests that will be arriving soon.

I watched for 15 minutes as they pressure washed, fueled and moved boat, after boat, after boat. Not a word was spoken between them, it was choreographed perfectly without having to say a work!

By one estimation 17, 614 boats have been cleaned by by these two alone over the years.........

Actually I made that figure up but you get the point - it was a lot of boats and a lot of work!

Will didn't spray Tom accidentally once, and Tom didn't accidentally trip once knocking Will into the lake. Oh, but for the old days!

True Ross Lakers

2010-08-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

Doug and Chuck True honor their Dad - Chuck True by hanging a beautiful wood burned plaque on the memorial wall at the resort.

Dad Chuck was a regular every year from 1955 until 1997. He introduced Doug to these beautiful waters in 1959 and Chuck in 1963.

Grandpa Earl True was a logger in this valley before the dam was built.

Chuck and Doug, thank you for sharing this emotional moment with me and allowing us to share it with so many others that love this area as much as your family. We all understand and empathize with you on this moment in your lives.

We send our thoughts and regards to your Mom.

This was a wonderful way to honor the memory of your father.

Meet Ranger Alison VanDusen

2010-08-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone meet Ranger Alison!

Ranger Alison has been with the National Park Service as a full-time and seasonal ranger for 16 years!

She stopped by our campsite to greet us and introduce herself. We really appreciate when the NPS Rangers do that because it associates a human touch - a face with America's favorite institution.

I was thinking as we talked about our comparative commute. I drive 67 miles each way from home to work and back again. Alison hops onto the Park Service boat and commutes from Hozomeen down lake to various campsites and trail heads.

Alison has worked at a number of National Parks including Glacier Bay, Yellowstone, Capitol Reef, Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia.

We invited her into our camp to do a quick look see and offer any suggestions.

The first thing she gently and quietly reminded us was that there are bears in North Cascades National Park as well as other animals, and unless we are preparing food and eating it right then, all food items should be placed in the bear boxes and shut tight.

Dohhhh! Sage, Lin, and Kae told us that at the wilderness center but we were so happy and excited to get a good campsite that we forgot that putting food in the bear boxes didn't just apply to locking up at night when we go to bed!

We asked Alison for any other words of advice based on her experience, here are her words:

1. Food Storage - 24 hours a day unless actively preparing or eating,
2. Keep a clean camp with minimal clutter.
3. Only use a fire ring to burn in. Monitor the fire ring full time.
4. No garbage in fire rings, other people will share this site after you leave.
5.The world has become so small that we have to recognize our effect on the environment. Eliminate exotics. All of our actions affect other things.
6. It doesn't have to be an elaborate trip to a crowded national park. Stop, listen and enjoy yourselves to a maximum here in the North Cascades.
7. Enjoy the little things as well as the grand.

Alison? Would you mind terribly if we traded commutes?

North Cascades Wild

2010-08-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

Check out the North Cascades Wild students and their instructors!

More text to follow

New Portage Phone Installed

2010-08-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

Seattle City Light installed the new phone recently for all of you kayakers and canoists needing a portage up to Ross Lake.

Each time I have been at the new dock location I have seen the kayakers paddle by looking for their haul out point.

It is the first and very small dock that you will use.Shimmy, slip, and slide yourself out of the kayak and up onto the dock. Be careful!

Unfortunately the is no gentle ramp - the result of the rock slide.

Please walk 25 yards up lake to the top of the stairs above the main dock and look down. You won't miss seeing the phone.

If all else fails look for the hi-tech sign!

Wilderness Information Center - Camping on Ross Lake

2010-08-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

text to follow

Nice Fish Greg!

2010-08-03T18:42:00.001-07:00

We live on Lopez Island, and have been going to Ross Lake with a group of friends from Bellingham, the Cassidy family and mutual friends, for most years since 1983.

I was using a fly rod with leaded line and a lure similar to a dick nite spoon. I need to give some credit to my fishing partner Gary Cassidy as the net man. Gary was counting the number of times I had the fish to the boat, and had to let him take the line back out to keep from losing the trout. After seven times, I told Gary "this is it" I'm bringing him to the net, as I didn't think the hook would stay in much longer. Gary netted the fish as the hook came out. I had the largest fish from our group until Gary's oldest son, Andy showed up that evening and caught a 221/2 trout.

We were fishing near Rainbow Point when we caught these large trout, but Gary and I were able to catch and release a number of large trout from many locations on the lake. We had a personal size limit of at least 20 inches or we would release the fish.

Gary and I took his younger son Sam Cassidy out to fish one of the days we were there and caught and released a number of 16-18 inch trout. That night after we came in, Sam said to his dad " I catch the biggest trout I've ever caught in my life, and you and Greg say nice fish Sam and throw it back" I guess we forgot to tell him about or size requirement.

We look forward all year to our annual trip to Ross Lake the last week of July to be with good friends and family and enjoy all the things Ross Lake has to offer, and Tom and Carol and the rest of the Ross Lake Resorts crews, hospitality.

Regards Greg & Selma Starkman

Thanks so much you guys we appreciate you sharing this story with all of us!

Cannonballs and God-beams at Devil's Junction

2010-08-02T23:47:00.001-07:00

Next time I'm starting a competition and getting Mom to join too! Except she's too slender so no competition there. Wonder what the prize should be??

Wai, Wai, Wai, Wait a Minute

2010-08-02T23:37:00.001-07:00

Click on photo

Wow, that glass seems to be looking bigger.

Let me just get this one little sip before I get up and do something - hey kids, can someone bring me over that shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and some of those crackers please?

Let's see, life cycle of the Mayfly Spinner . . . . . . . . .

aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

If I happen to drift off would one of you be kind enough to nudge me for dinner?

My stress is leaving!!!!!

Dang, I love this place!

Fly Fishing Out of the Blue Boat

2010-08-02T23:27:00.001-07:00

Rockslide Update - Call for Photos.

2010-08-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

Granite Construction staff have requested a little help. If any of you happen to have photos of the area of the cliff where the rockslide started from the past could you please send them to me via gmail and I will be glad to forward them on to the project managers.

Here are a couple of photos from Sunday as we were leaving.

Notice that the resort truck, I mean piece of installation art Pancaked in Blue is no longer at the site. Rumor has it that it sold at a record price for any artist of the Picket Range School of Modern Impactionistic Art.

Hi Bro, Hey Sis - Meet the Cassidy's

2010-08-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Andy Cassidy has been coming to Ross Lake for 33 years of his young life.

A commercial fisherman by trade he spends part of the year salmon fishing in Bristol Bay, Alaska and winters purse seining squid off the coast near Ventura, California.

So what does Andy do for vacation? Well - he comes fishing up to Ross Lake Resort - of course.

I have a feeling he is very successful in his career choice. His Dad obviously taught him well both in commercial fishing and laying the foundation for his and Jessie's love of Ross Lake and the North Cascades.

This past week he caught the largest Wild Ross Lake Rainbow of the year. We are hoping to get a photo of it in the next few days. Hint, hint.

Andy and Jessie Cassidy

Jessie as many of you know has worked at the resort since 1997. She hasn't worked here for the last several years but Tom and Carol can always count on her to show up when they most need it - setting up the cabins in the spring, helping shut down the resort after Halloween, helping with organizing the housekeeping at the start of the season.

An avid swimmer and fitness buff Jessie loves to ply these beautiful waters by swimming long distances.

This past week she took off and swam from the resort up the Ruby Arm and later from Cougar Island over to Big Beaver!

Jessie also has information on that diabolical carved pumpkin discussed in earlier posts. But she won't give up any information on that .... thing! Hmmmmm............!

They rode out on the afternoon boat that we were on and it was obvious all of the Cassidy's knew the Ross Lake Tradition of helping the loading and unloading of the truck, trailer and Seattle City Light boat. The load was smoooooth with all of the family taking the lead, getting everyone involved as a chain gang of luggage carriers.

Nice to meet the Cassidy's!

The Big Dipper

2010-08-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

Get away from the metropolis of Vancouver and Seattle and you can begin to see the beautiful night sky.

©Paul Anderson click on photo

A solitary light from Lightning Camp was the only indicator that we were not alone.

©Paul Anderson click on photo

I can only imagine how inspiring it was for the Beat Poets and writers who spent weeks atop Desolation and Sourdough looking at the night sky and into the heart of the Picket Range.

Camping With The Family

2010-08-01T22:19:00.000-07:00

Ah the good life. Daughter Mackenzie reads with a headlamp as dusk slips over Desolation and the northern lake.

©Paul Anderson click on photo

Camping on Ross Lake!!!

2010-08-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I've got to tell you, I just got back from Ross Lake and it was fantastic. This was the first time camping on these beautiful waters.

For those of you who have only stayed at the resort but can't get enough of this area and don't want to wait for another year to pass by until your next reservation, I strongly recommend camping.

Rent a boat from Tom, take the water taxi, bring your kayak or canoe but don't pass up the opportunity.

I will write a more detailed account later, but I will tell you this. This weekend was a stress buster!

Just take a look at this photo with Desolation Peak in the background.

We had a solo campsite.

Our own dock.

Our own beachfront patio. (well a flat spot to place our folding chairs.)

Fish were biting our flies.

There was solitude. Saturday 5 boats went by on the lake - that's 5 total!

You've got to spend time like this.

Click on my view! ©Paul K. Anderson

Meet Brian and Cara Schur

2010-08-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Brian and Cara, from the Tri-Cities, love to kayak.

Brian has wanted to kayak at Ross Lake and particularly Devils Creek area for the last 15 years since he saw a photo in Outside Magazine.

It was a chance meeting, we had all ducked into Devils since the winds had picked up.

Click on photos to enlarge

Ask any photographer and they will tell you that serendipity plays a roll in many photographs.

Brian and Cara - send me your email address and I'll make sure you get copies of the photos from Devils Creek.

Nice to meet both of you.

Paul

photos © Paul Anderson

Two Approaches to Life

2010-07-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

I stopped by my friendly pharmacy to pick up a prescription and a person was standing at the counter berating the cashier because the internet coupon was already past its expiration date. The counterman walked out to the aisle to see if there was another on sale coupon at the shelf.

As he walked past, the irate customer turned to me and started on about the BS that they were being put through.

Stupidly I replied "Well......... it's really not his fault."

"Who the heck asked you to butt in, why don't you mind your own business! Stay out of my business and shut up!"

Doh!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Two hours earlier I stopped by North Cascades National Park Headquarters and went in to get some information about several future blogs.

Several families were in their asking the staff about what they could do tomorrow.

They had just returned from a hike up the Sahalee Arm and the whole family seemed to be piping in all at the same time to express what they had seen. Wildflowers, Johannesburg Mt., glaciers, Forbidden Peak, Sahalee Mt., whitewater, green trees, the color of the water, walking on snow and "it's almost August",

"My God it was so beautiful."

The NPS staff all smiled right back because no matter how many times they have heard these same platitudes - they still felt the same way as the guests from somewhere back in the midwest.

"I know a place that I think you will enjoy!", the Ranger mentioned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be sure to stop by one of the NPS information Centers and Bookstores (run by the North Cascades Institute). The staff are excellent and obviously love to help each of us make the most out our trips up to the North Cascades.

Kudos to all of you working for the National Park Service, US Forest Service, North Cascades Institute for making our trips more memorable, more relaxing.

Breath deeply and visualize a calming location...........

By the way - I'm packing up the kids, their friends, she who must be obeyed and going camping up on Ross Lake. Don't tell the wife but we are going to sleep on dirt - yee haw!

I'll stop by the resort and say hi to Tom and Carol for all of you!

Oh - I'll bring my camera and try and get a couple of images to show when I return!

Cheers!

Visit North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake

2010-07-28T23:43:00.000-07:00

Come paddle and camp on these beautiful waters.

You will return home with a good spirit.

Meet Allen and Lisa Rhodes

2010-07-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

"Paul! Call up Joe-Joe the dog faced boy and Gomer I got another batch ready!"

"Oh man Rhodsie I got in trouble the last time - I missed work. You gotta quit trying so many different recipes and just stick to one - you know like - Oly." "Man I appreciate being a guinea pig but these taste tests on work nights gotta quit dude! What time?"

"9:00- after the wife's in bed but you gotta help clean up!"

"Arghh - ok - but you gotta cover for me with Ted if I don't make it in tomorrow"

Allen and Lisa Rhodes

My buddy Allen is a brewing artist. 25 years ago we met in his basement to try the latest and it didn't matter if it was manna from the beer gods, uncarbonated warm swill, or was a bit.... well chewy......we were young, we were guys, it was beer and it was free. Yeaaaah!

And you know after a few samples it didn't matter that we had to take his wife's good bathroom towels to wipe off the ceiling when a couple bottles got knocked off the washing machine. It was science! Chemistry!

We could throw the towels in the washer!

And the wife was asleep.

I think.

But the beer was organic, it was alive!

Today Allen owns the Rockfish Grill and Brew Pub in Anacortes. Great Beer! Great Food! Great Music!

Here is a partial list of his masterpieces:
Oatmeal Stout
Honey Cream Ales
Klosterbier
Golden Lizard Belgian Wit
Locomotive Breath Imperial Stout
Broadsword Scottish Ale
Extra Special Bitter
Aviator Dopplebock
Cask Real Ales
Hefewerzein
Octoberfest
India Pale Ale

Here is a link to his website: http://www.anacortesrockfish.com/

Next time you're in Anacortes ya gotta go there and try some of his art.

Just don't stand on the washing machine - it's too hard on the knees to jump down.

9 AM Limit

2010-07-26T23:11:00.000-07:00

"Hey old timer, let's run down to the lake and catch a fish!"
"Well say young fella, why don't we walk down and catch our limit!"

Romaine Souey, Jim Hobbs and Ray Andrews display their limit of Wild Ross Lake Rainbow Trout.

I had just spotted them pulling in front of the bunk house at 9 AM. I made the mistake of asking them if they were coming back in for breakfast and maybe a nap.

"Heck! We already ate a fine breakfast at 4:30 and caught the limit by 8:15!"

"We thought we would come back here and wake up some of the young guys and get them out."

About then 3 or 4 of the young guys stepped out of their bunkhouse took one look at the 3 limits, rolled their eyes skyward and shook their heads.

They knew they would never hear the end of this.

I believe I heard a consensus as Romaine, Jim, and Ray were walking away that maybe they would fire up the BBQ, cook a few fish, and serve the young guys lunch in bed.

Invaderettes

2010-07-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

Four good friends, Lara, Carey, Sarah and Stella soak up the rays and practice trolling near Devils Creek.

Brothers

2010-07-26T21:03:00.000-07:00

Kevin Pressler shows little brother Corey what a fine catch they
have to share with their friends at the Lightning Creek Campground

Traditions

2010-07-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

I'll be writing more about traditions at a later date, I need to stew on that topic for awhile.

One tradition we have is stopping off for ice cream. The kids like blueberry and down in the lower valley west of Marblemount is a good stop!

And the blueberries are in season right now!

New Article in Bellingham Herald

2010-07-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

Doug Huddle is an excellent writer with the Bellingham Herald.

In todays edition he wrote an article about Tom and Ross Lake Resort and the resurgence of the Wild Ross Lake Rainbow Trout.

Here is the link to the half page article.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/23/1539716/outdoors-ross-lakes-rainbows-are.html

I admire writers and photographers for newspapers and magazines. They work to deadlines often in stuffy offices. They deal with bombastic editors. They have to come up with story ideas on subjects that they really could care less about........ "Ms Gertrude Hannibal - of the Lector Hannibal's - is hosting a luncheon and fundraiser for the Human Society, the menu will feature a fine selection from her collection of carpaccio recipes..........."

Meanwhile, I get to visit Ross Lake, pick and choose what to blog about, meet people that are on a holiday in one of their favorite spots on earth (why else do so many return year after year), and sit out on the deck drinking coffee watching the sunrise. I can hear their voices in the office, "should we get him more coffee?".

"No, no, don't disturb him - he's thinking about what to write next! It will probably be brilliant!"

Lucky for me they don't hear what I am thinking because my typical thought process seems to go something like this when I have writers block: "If I sneeze really hard with a mouthful of coffee and it comes out my nose, will some of the caffeine be absorbed through my nasal cavities?"

So as you probably already surmised, not a lot of deep thought goes into some of these posts - but I do like to sit out on that deck pondering my caffeine addiction, I do like to hang out with my good friends the Barnett's, I do like meeting all of you and I do like writing and photography.

I do sometimes wish I had an editor.

I do like to read good writers writings..

Check out Doug's writing on the link provided.

Cheers

Grande Ronde - a Beautiful River

2010-07-23T03:42:00.000-07:00

Had a blast drifting and fishing on the Grande Ronde River in extreme south eastern Washington. One of North America's finest steelhead fisheries.

Hot temps, family, good friends, good wine picked up on the way from some excellent wineries and by the way - hot fishing.

Trout and Dolly's were biting on Joe's Hoppers, smallmouth bass were slamming a deer hair mouse with yellow feather tail.

But even tho fishing was hot sometimes you just have to serve that inner child and jump off a cliff or two. No, that was not me doing a back flip -that honor belonged to Jake who was showing off successfully to the niece.

I am a master of the belly flop.

By the way, it was interesting casting fly's from the sit on top ocean kayak while drifting backwards through small rapids, trying to maintain a hold on to the paddle while the legs straddled the waterproof camera case to keep it from shifting around. Ended up casting backwards, sideways, left handed, right handed, under handed, overhanded, under the arm pit, around the neck......

It was fun just dinking around with the son on his first fly fishing experience.

Fishing a deep hole on the Grande Ronde

Jake launching a 50' back flip

Niece Jenna giggles through whitewater

Mackenzie riding her breast cancer pink Ocean Kayak in the clear, cold waters of the Grande Ronde

Dylan surfs a small hydraulic

Brother-in-law Bob carries one of the little one's, the family dog and lunch

in his old beater canoe - casually chewing on a cigar

Over several days and several car ferries we drifted approx. 25 miles roughly between Troy, Bogan's Oasis and Schumachers Landing. From Schumachers it was an approx. 13% grade road that would have been a bit sticky if wet or slick.

Next time we will either float the upper wild river portion starting in Oregon and possibly end in Troy, or continue down to Heller's Bar where the Grande Ronde joins the Snake River at the lower end of Hell's Canyon.

We were a motley crew.

On the lower drift we had the river to ourselves and everyone was able to hoot and holler the afternoon away - songs and laughter bounced off the canyon walls. Teasing over past mishaps were casually, offhandedly discussed. Casually??? Yeah right!

The drive home was long and tiring but the next morning I woke up chuckling to the image of Bob going thru the whitewater casually shaking droplets off that soggy old stogie.

Families, friends and little adventures - the good life.

The Pacific Northwest - we live in an interesting and beautiful part of the world don't we?

Off to Fish and Float for a Few Days

2010-07-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

I'll post more images next week.

A lot of stories yet to post.

Cheers!

New Boat Landing Near Ross Dam

2010-07-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

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!

Did I Mention that the Fishing Has Been Pretty Good?

2010-07-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

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.

But then you have to make some tough decisions on what you want to do with the rest of your day.

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

2010-07-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

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?

Isaac Ramsey - The Next Generation of Ross Lake Anglers

2010-07-12T22:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

Wild Ross Lake RaInbows Ready for the Grill

2010-07-12T22:26:00.001-07:00

Invaders Invade Ross Lake

2010-07-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

Click photo to enlarge

Just Back from the Resort

2010-07-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

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.........

Dear Paul

2010-07-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Paul!

This email is from Corey White, one of the graduate students living at NCI's Environmental Learning Center, just downriver from you up at the Ross L. Resort. I was truly pleased to see your inclusion of the wonderful quote at the end of the July 3 post on "Tom's View from Ross Lake Resort" blog. The author, however, is not unknown - he's one of my favorites, Edward Abbey, and, as you write, he is much appreciated.

Thanks again for your post and keep up the good writing.

Sincerely,

Corey White

Hi Corey!

Thank you so much for the feedback! It has been driving me nuts trying to figure out who was the author of that quote! Of course - Ed Abbey one of my absolutely favorite authors and characters of the American West.

Abbey's writings inspired me to photograph the southwest and I carried 'Desert Solitaire' with me in my backpack everywhere. When I was waiting for the light to get just right, I would pull the book out and read about Arches National Park, 'The Moon-Eyed Horse', 'The Dead Man at Grandview Point', or 'Down the River'.

In memory of Edward Abbey here are a few images I photographed of his beloved southwest.

By the way, the North Cascades Institute, just past the Ross Lake Resort parking area is an incredible resource for all of us in the Pacific Northwest. I have enjoyed many courses that they have offered and love staying at their facility on the shores of Diablo Lake.

Please click on their link on the right side of the blog.

I will write more about NCI and the dedicated staff in the near future.

And who knows maybe I'll assist in teaching photographic composition someday for them.

What Works? Catching Ross Lake Wild Rainbow Trout

2010-07-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

"A favor. Go fishing with me?"

"Sure!"

"That's marvy because Jessie has a brother........ in from California and I'm not going to lie, he's a world champion peckerwood."

"Bait fisherman?"

"He didn't say."

"Good Lord George! He's going to show up with a coffee can full of worms. Red can. Hills Brothers"

"I'll lay a bet on it."

Norman and Paul Maclean discussing bait fishermen from

'A River Runs Through It'

So how do you catch fish on Ross Lake?

Very good question!

Just sat down for a few minutes to discuss this with Tom Barnett and I asked with all of the latest and greatest gear out there how do you know what is going to entice the Ross Lake wild Rainbow Trout to grab that single barbless hook?

His answer was very practical and simple!

Whenever Tom is in town he stops at fishing stores and peruses all of the lures and flies. If he sees something that he thinks might work up at the resort he buys it. Then when the season starts he passes out the lures to guests he knows to be good fishermen and asks them to report back.

If the lures are successful he will often stock them.

The Copper Bingo Bug is still one of the most successful lures and Ross Lake Resort has a supply on hand. Very few other places stock these attractants.

Tom also carries a nice selection of spinner fly's produced by an excellent small company owned by Jim Carpenter. Jim's Fly Tying of Sunnyside, Wa.

Jim is an avid fisherman and an excellent craftsman, which is why Ross Lake Resort stocks his gear. They all come pre-tied and ready to go.

Over the next few weeks I will add photos of some of Jim Carpenter's work. Stop by the office and try some of his spinner fly's and lures!

Ross Lake Fishing Regulations

2010-07-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Please remember that everyone is responsible to know the fishing regulations for whatever body of water you are fishing.

Please refer to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Web site for all of the latest informations.

Ross Lake Regulations: (Always refer to Fish & Wildlife Site as final word)

No bait

Single barbless hooks

13" minimum length

3 fish per day limit

6 fish possession limit

All Bull Trout must be released

"Fishing Has Been Stellar"

2010-07-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

Most of you know Tom Barnett well enough by now that when he gives you his opinion on fishing, well, he doesn't resort to hyperbole to describe conditions.

Brian Parks and his 21.5" Wild Ross Lake Rainbow

July 2, 2010 Ross lake Photo

Sam and his sister display their 16" Wild Rainbow Trout

July 3, 2010 Ross Lake Photo

Happy 4th of July everyone and may God protect those of you in the military and we hope you return home safe to your families and loved ones soon. We appreciate that you read this blog and can use it as a small distraction - day dreaming about your next visit up here.

Wild Rainbow Trout Frenzy - Latest Update!

2010-07-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Fishing season has opened on the lake and it has been excellent!

One blue boat reported that they caught and released 73 fish over the course of the day.

What works?

Just about anything!

Carol has even suggested to Tom that he spend less time in the office area and more time on the water!

Whoaa! Bless us oh lord for these our gifts..........

Therefore, and with great where-with-all, but strictly in the interest of helping his guests out, Tom has been out trying and perfecting new techniques, he has even been using salt water lures that imitate shiners to great success. You Sportsmen and women are buying the first part of the last sentence right?

I think each of us should pause for a moment and thank Tom for this small sacrifice he makes for us.

. I'm jealous

. and I'm envious

. and oh man, oh man I can't wait to jump in a blue boat, zip past Cougar and turn due north by Roland, turn over my left shoulder and see the lookout cabin high atop Sourdough, then see Desolation and the jagged spires of Hozomeen up north. This is one of my favorite spots and moments when it all triangulates together like this.

Try an egg sucking leech slowly trolled - really almost any large wet flies or streamers are being hit!

Rapalas!

Fat 19 inchers have been brought in.

So!

Get excited! Plan ahead!

The fish aren't just biting on the Ross Lake mainstay - the ubiquitous bingo bug!

Dohhh!!! I am itching to get back out there and get some photos of you catching some fat Wild Ross Lake Trout!

Maybe next week.

- - - - -

"Do not burn yourself out. Be as I am...a reluctant enthusiast...a part time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forest, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to your body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much: I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: you will outlive them."

Author:

~~Unknown, but much appreciated~~ Edward Abbey

Dear Tom, Are Bears Good Swimmers?

2010-06-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Tom,

I could have sworn I saw some bear swimming out at the log boom one time.

Is that allowed?

Looking forward to my next visit,

signed - Bewildered in the Lowlands

Dear Bewildered,
We are a family resort as well as a fishing resort located in the middle of a national park so please be respectful of others.

Sunburn can be painful here in the North Cascades.

In June the beautiful clear waters of Ross Lake can be cool from glacier and mountain snow run off, and like diving into Puget Sound down in the lowlands, Bewildered, it is useful especially for the young and skinny to have a layer on.

Regards - and we look forward to your next visit!

T

Ross Lake file photo

Did Anyone Mention That Fishing Season Opens July 1?

2010-06-26T20:35:00.001-07:00

No seriously? Have they?

Ross Lake Resort Photo 2009

Dear Tom, Can we drive to Ross Lake Resort? Sorry No. Ummhh, ahh, well, let's see, how do I answer this?

2010-06-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

It is a truth, all roads don't lead to Ross Lake Resort.

The Hozomeen Road ends miles to the north.

The dam road is not accessible by vehicle that hasn't been barged in first.

Except. well there was this one time when everyone was surprised many, many moons ago by a couple of wild and crazy guys.

By the way, Carol politely but firmly suggested that they could check their own darn tire pressure after their snickering request for full service.

Ross Lake Resort File Photo

She forgot to ask them what kind of mileage and speed they got hitting the head winds on Diablo!

I imagine it was a bit like driving west on I-80 across Iowa in a 63 VW Camper on a warm summer afternoon.

Except perhaps for the water splashing over the hood.

Click on Ross Lake Resort File Folder

Also, here is an image one of the resort's regular guests provided. See - no roads!

I'll provide the photographers name forthwith.

Psssssssssttttttttt!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-25T17:58:00.001-07:00

Guess what happens on July 1st????

click on picture

Jeff Whiteside knows how to fish for wild rainbow trout on Ross Lake. He studies the trout, their feeding habits, the lake - basically he studies everything.

And then he adjusts his fishing style and technique to the environment and situation he is in - that's called being smart, intuitive, sensitive - he is a craftsman.

Many that fish these waters are like Jeff - fishing to you represents more than just passing time.

Fishing is more than a hobby. It challenges you, it stimulates creativity - it is a cerebral awakening.

At the end of your fishing session, when you step out of the blue boat in front of your cabin, you may not have caught the fish that you see in your mind's eye. But you know one thing with absolute certainty..........

......... you've won.

Haven't you.

You have developed a 'sense of place' about the North Cascades, North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake.

We lead short lives, we need to reward ourselves with a connection to these experiences, to these special places, with friends, with family.

We welcome you back to these beautiful waters.

New Updates for Kayakers and Canoers

2010-06-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of quick updates:

A new phone will be set up in the next week at the site of the new boat dock for calling the resort for portage service. This will eliminate the need to hike up to the top of the road to Ross and call the resort when you need to transport your kayaks and canoes. That is excellent news for everyone and is quick response by Seattle City Light helping everyone enjoy their experience in the North Cascades.

Thanks SCL!

Also Pete from Vancouver wrote asking for information on where to park when he comes up to kayak for a week later in the summer.

Good question!

The official launch point for canoes and kayaks is over at the Colonial Creek boat launch There is a parking lot there for everyone visiting the lakes in that manner.

Tom mentioned that yesterday afternoon was the biggest haul of the year and all went smooth. Basically the only difference is that there is one more lift of everyone's gear. But things are running well.

Warning - The Previous Post is Subliminal Messaging - Warning

2010-06-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is the blog police. Disregard the previous posting it is a serious attempt at planting a message in your brain that you will have no control over.

To de-program yourself:

Stick your right arm straight out in front of you thumb pointed up.

Press thumb forward

fishing season opens soon

Keeping elbow in same position and as a pivot bring hand back toward ear - stop at the 2 o'clock position
Keeping elbow in same position and as a pivot bring hand forward to eleven o'clock position
Repeat on count of one bring hand back to 2 o'clock say out loud two -three
Forward to 11 o'clock on count of one say out loud two-three
repeat
repeat fishing season opens soon

Repeat over and over for 5 minutes and you will slowly begin to deprogram yourself - it is important to establish the count of one-two-three

If still confused watch the opening 15 minutes of 'A River Runs Through It' until deprogramming is programmed effectively. (no wait disregard the last half of this last sentence - after the italics) because fishing season opens soon

Psssssssssttttttttt!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Fishing season opens on Ross Lake soon.

Tom's Advice Column - Happy Fathers Day!

2010-06-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie Anderson and Odin Oakley-Barnett Clean Wild Trout

Dear Tom,

My daughter, who has visited Ross Lake almost every year of her life, just "graduated" from middle school. When she walked out on stage I was stunned with her beauty. I saw how she carried herself and how much in her I saw of her mother. I looked over at my wife and saw the same smile and glow.

And then I saw her new dress .... and how short it was ............... and all I could think of was what I was thinking when I was 14.

My buddy sitting next to me, whose two daughters recently graduated from college looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

Two simple sounds emanated from deep within my throat.

"UH- ohh!!!"

You would have expected a pal to render sympathy, instead over the next 30 minutes all I heard was "chuckle, chuckle, chuckle", a few snorts, one guffaw, and multiple "he he he's".

Do you have any advice from your lofty perch high in the North Cascades?

Sincerly,
Bewildered in the Lowlands
________________________

Dear Pau Bewildered,

When I went thru a similiar situation with my daughter, I obviously turned to many of my good friends for advice as well. Oddly enough, many of them had the same reaction as your good friend.

What got me through it was the internet. A friend gave me the name of a company back east that sold designer women's clothing for concerned parents.

I searched for months on the Internet but couldn't locate it. The futility of this research distracted me so much I forgot about everything else, and when that happened I realized I felt better, less stressed out.

The dot com out of Freeharbor, Maine was called something like L.L.BBurqua.

Bewildered - for the next four years you control NOTHING!

Only your wife and daughter have control, and to be blunt - the only thing you can do is accept that.

So! Take up fly fishing like so many men before you! Over the next 4 years you will end up with a quiver of rods, a few reels, dozens of wet flies, hundreds of dry flies, fancy waders, a float or two, designer polarized glasses, goofy hats with big bills stuck with flies, lures and maybe even a few beer bottle caps like those soccer fans.

I suggest you spend more time up on Ross Lake with your pals!

It is the only way to keep your sanity and your last shred of dignity!

What ever you do don't take any advice from friends that don't have daughters.

Good lord, be a man and run from this situation.

He he he!

T.

We have seen the Tug Boat many times next to the Dam! Can you tell us what the story is behind the Tug Boat and why it is here?? Also why it is buried in the ground?? Thank you!! Ron

2010-06-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

As depicted to me without verification from either the NPS or Seattle City Light

It was a dark and stormy night, Captain Tom was trying to save the villagers from a fate.....

Many years ago when Sasquatch frequented the shores of Ross lake....

The tug boat mentioned in the earlier post is a piece of living history of Ross Lake. It plied these waters for many years before age, codes and history caught up with it.

It is really a very simple explanation as to how it found its current resting place. Cost.

The tug needed a complete overhaul It was no longer able to ply the waters of Ross Lake without upgrades required by necessary regulations. It sometimes hauled or might have been required to haul passengers.

To meet the latest codes would have cost more than what the returns justified. To move it further down the road perhaps near the power house was tricky, and in reality space was limited.

Also old boats would have to be stripped of paint etc. a difficult undertaking in the current location.

So from what I've been told. A common sense approach was taken. Partially bury that beautiful old girl alongside the road, and surrounded by a small protective berm, where everyone could see it on a daily basis and it could be monitored regularly by staff from Seattle City Light.

A piece of history kept where it belongs.

Wet Spring?

2010-06-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Summer is here in a few days. Here is another reminder of what awaits you as the summer progresses.

Suuummmmertime and the Livin' is Eaaaaasy

2010-06-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well, down in the lowlands the spring has been wet.

Grass has been growing at a fast clip...... ha! Sorry about the lousy writing!

Long summer days mean more growing time.

But there just isn't much time spent cutting grass on a floating resort.

Go figure.

Well maybe a few patches get out of control.

The nurse logs supporting these cabin are a part of Ross Lake history. These are a few of the old growth trees that had to be cut down when the dam was built. As the water began to fill the reservoir that is now Ross Lake, loggers constructed floating platforms for housing and work stations and used the felled timber for supporting, floating the structures.

As the water rose up the steep sided canyon, the platforms would be floated over to what ever area was closest to the loggers.

When the logging was completed the founder of the resort bought the buildings - the floating camps - and Ross Lake Resort was born.

Question from a reader: So what happens 50-60 years later and these logs wear out?

Well, the simple answer is they don't really wear out. They perhaps get water logged, and as additional weight is added to the cabins when they are remodeled and modernized new supports may have to be added.

Question from a reader: Do you mean more trees are cut down?

No of course not! That wouldn't happen.

Tom and Will are both good divers and when more floatation is required they add pre-made floats.

Question from a reader: Huh, dude you mean totally like my old coffee table from college - a big wooden spool that held wire, or my old end table - an empty keg of beer - way to function man, LOL?

No of course not! We use something a little less 60's & 70's old timer and quit trying to disguise your age and yourself with expressions from different generations!

Statement from a reader: TMI and quit trying to be so gnarly you old f...!

Hey! Knock it off Son or no allowance this week and stay out of those old photo albums!

Here is a picture.

These plastic barrels are filled with water through a precise measurement process to achieve as close to neutral buoyancy as possible then Tom and Will drift them into position using their own form of navigation and lift techniques - sort of a Ross Lake Resort version of GPS and applied physics. They sort of guess to see what works best.

Using an air line from a compressor they then pump the new floats with air forcing out the water until poiinnnnnggggggggg - the cabins are floating nice and high and as level as possible.

Pretty cool - especially when you have been in the water for as long as they have been. Tom and Will I mean

If you drive up on the haul road you may see the old tugboat buried in the ground. Next to the tug is the next generation of floats. Large black pvc pipe sealed on both ends and with valves for the air and water these will take the place of the white plastic in the future and will be less labor intensive.

An innovative suggestion by one of the regular guests created this new concept. We all have a vested interest in the history and future of the resort even if it doesn't include beer keg end tables.

USA vs. England Soccer's World Cup

2010-06-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, ok, I'll get to the point about why I am writing about a soccer match on a fishing resort blog in a moment.

I spent part of the late morning and early afternoon watching the USA tie England - whoops I meant to say ENGLAND TIED THE USA - in first round action of the FIFA World Cup from South Africa. The Copper Hog Gastropub in downtown Bellingham was our venue

I played rugby for about 25 years, I don't understand the nuances of soccer. I am about as close to being a soccer player as maybe a ballerina is to being a belly dancer. Well, I don't think that came out the way I meant, But what the heck.......

So I'm sitting there enjoying the soccer action, my friends, and people watching and I started thinking about how much in common fishermen have with soccer fans.

I mean I have seen some crazy bandanas on fishermen and weird zinc oxide concoctions to ward of flies, skeeters and sunburn over the years.

There are many fishing hats out there with either flies or small lures snagged to them.

And I have seen some innovative knots and slings piecing together creels or holding together fishing nets.

And most fishermen I've met seem to be fairly patriotic.

Haven't we prayed to the fishing gods at least once, "please - keep the dang fish on the hook & don't let it flop away?"

And like these knowledgeable English fans - who think they dress a little more sophisticated than the average USA fan, aren't they sorta like fly fishermen??

And haven't you secretly hoped that your buddies - or at least the wife and kids - would greet you back at the cabin like this when they see the size of those wild Ross Lake Rainbows you just brought in?

"Yeaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, were having fresh trout for dinner tonight wooooohooooooooooo!!!!"

click on photos to enlarge.

Admit it Dad's and Grandpa's - don't you do this quietly inside your chest every time your kid or grandkid hooks a wild fish?

Sportsmen - it doesn't matter......

its the same the whole world over,

it's the poor what gets the blame,

it's the rich that get the glory,

ain't it all a bloody shame!

-from an old rugby song.

New Roof on Gas House

2010-06-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

When you pass the gas house look up and you will see the new roof installed by Mark (Dad on right) and Adam (Son) Bloom

Mark has known Tom since the early 70's and has come up every year since to fish and vacation with the family. He has also made countless trips to help build and do repairs.

I asked Adam how long he's been coming up here and he said "well, since I've been born!"

Puts it in perspective eh?

Dad Mark, teaches business courses at East Wenatchee High. He owned a construction company and has passed those skills onto all 4 sons.

In essence, it's obvious that all 5 men in the Bloom family know which end of the ball peen hammer hits the thumb!

Great job you guys!

Meet Ralph Leitner and Family and Friends

2010-06-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

photos this post all © Ralph Leitner
Great shot Ralph! It says it all for your family - you, paddling, your favorite hike here up - Desolation
and Ross Lake!

“Sea kayaking is about journeying. Sea kayaking is about exploring. Sea kayaking is about sharing experiences and memories with others. There is more to sea kayaking than just paddling.”

Pete Dingle

Ralph and his family and friends have been coming up every year to paddle these beautiful waters since the early 1990's.

Ralph first visited Ross Lake and the North Cascades in the 1970's when his Boy Scout Troop hiked 50 miles from the Canadian border down the Eastbank Trail to a gravel road that is now highway 20.

He returned with his troop to paddle 50 miles on Ross Lake, the seed was planted - he was hooked.

He and family and friends have made it back every year since 1993 when he brought his 2 year old up here camping.

Ralph's favorite hike is the Desolation Trail up to the lookout. One year camping out next to the cabin he met a group from the North Cascades Institute. They were having one of their famous field seminars where they were studying the beat poets and writers who frequented these beautiful peaks and valleys in the 50's and early 60's.

What could be better - hanging out with family and friends watching the sun set over the Pickets and North Cascades listening to the words of poets and writers of several generations - Gary Snyder, Jack Kerouac, Philip Whalen, and most recently Tim McNulty - wow.

The jagged spires of Hozomeen.....

"Hozomeen, Hozomeen, the most

beautiful mountain I ever seen...... '

Jack Kerouac, Desolation Angels

Thanks for sharing these memories, family traditions and adventures.

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing- absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." -- Kenneth Grahame - from the Wind in the Willows

That Dang Pumpkin

2010-06-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

I swear - no kidding - a couple of weeks ago and before the resort opened, I rode in front of that goofy looking, lopsided grinning, sinister pumpkin and the blue boat gave a little shudder.

It was twilight - I looked over at that thing - and it was looking awfully non-chalant about everything - but then I noticed that the Pumpkin's eyes seemed to be following me.

Next time you are up here, ask your kids and see if they don't notice the same thing.

The'll be watching - so will that dang pumpkin.

At least it will give you and the better half some time to enjoy a glass of wine sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs in front of your cabin.

The kids can stare back all they want - I don't think that beast cares.

All I can do when I see it staring back at me is shudder.

Maybe I'l go over and grab a slice of pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream, ride by that thing and chomp down.

We'll see who shudders then!

A Most Excellent Resort Opening Day

2010-06-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone and welcome to opening day of Ross Lake Resort 2010.

Today went better than any one could have expected. The guests are excited to be here, the staff are all happy, Seattle City Light, the National Park Service and the contractors did an amazing job preparing the new boat dock and spur haul road.

It's going to be a good year.

So!

What happened????

Seattle City Light brought in a half dozen guests on the morning high speed boat and another 10 in the afternoon. Ross Lake Resort had a small tractor with a flat bed trailer waiting.

Per the Ross Lake Resort tradition of the last 60 years - everyone loaded everyone's gear onto the trailer and it was all hauled up to the upper boat dock on Ross Lake - where again everyone helped each other load onto the Ross Lake dock and then into the shuttle boat for the trip over to the cabins.

Do you remember your first visit here and the process you went thru to get to your cabins? Do you remember the reaction of your friends on their first visit? Well it's much the same.

Only more interesting!

Seattle City Light contractors started pouring cement into the footings for the large dock today. The National Park Service small floating dock worked fine.

Granite Construction began working on the head scarp today. (The area of the cliff where the rock slide began). They will be blasting, loosening, drilling, stabilizing, grouting - probably until October.

These guys are pro's and know their business!

Portaging is going to happen - canoes and kayaks will be carried by the paddlers up to the truck turnaround. Ross Lake Resort can haul gear up on the flatbed trailer but not the canoes or kayaks.

But hey it's only about 100 yards - argh, argh, argh!

That's nothing for these North Cascades adventurers.

It was a most excellent opening and thanks to all of the guests who rode in and the few that are hiking in from hiway 20 as we speak!!!

There are guests sitting out in front of the cabins in the Ross Lake Adirondacks enjoying the late light.

. . . . . and the tradition continues.

Portage Service - Important Please Read

2010-06-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

Ross Lake Resort Will Provide Portage Service With Limitations!!!!!!!

There is no phone at the new dock and you cannot access the power house.

THE ROCKSLIDE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE WILL BE BLASTING ON THE CLIFF FACES ABOVE TO STABILIZE THE ROCK!

Portagers - In June you will be required to send someone up the 1.5 miles of gravel road to phone the resort and request portage service. (Because of all the variables and potential for delays, as of today you cannot call ahead and schedule a portage pickup).

You will then carry your gear, and canoes or kayaks up approximately 100 yards to the point where the resort truck will pick you up.

Boats and motors will not be picked up because of the weight issues.

In July - still TBD - a driver may be stationed at the lower lake between the hours of 10:30A.M. - 1:00 P.M. and again at 3:30 P.M. until 4:30P.M. to provide portage service.

Ross Lake Resort Opens June 10!!!!!!

2010-06-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

Yeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaa! Sorry about that outburst!

The resort opens June 10th as scheduled.

Here is the latest for guests of the resort.

Seattle City Light will pick you and your gear up in a high speed 7 passenger boat at the usual location - the dock on Diablo.

Park and unload as usual where you see Ross Lake Resort Parking.

You will unload at the new passenger dock west of the landslide.

The resort truck will pick up all guests and their gear after a short hike - for transport up to Ross Lake.

Our thanks to Tammra Sterling of the National Park Service for providing us with the information and new haul road map.

One more thing to add!

Everyone at Ross Lake Resort cannot express and thank enough the staff of the National Park Service, Seattle City Light and the contractors who all have worked feverishly since March to provide for the safety of visitors, and for developing an innovative solution to the rock slide conundrum.

We are fortunate to have such a fine partnership.

So this summer when you are sitting in front of the cabins or riding up lake in one of the blue boats and you see staff from the National Park Service or Seattle City Light - give them a wave and thank you.

They appreciate the beauty of the North Cascades and this magnificent lake as much as you do!

Extra, Extra Read All About It

2010-06-08T20:06:00.001-07:00

Double click on the Map

Memorial Weekend 2010

2010-05-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

The Pumpkin

2010-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

When Blue Boats Retire

2010-05-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

So I know you have been wondering, "what happens to the legendary, handcrafted, Ross Lake Resort Blue Boats when they retire?"

Well, if you are a good, hard working, trustworthy, loyal, friendly, courteous boat like hull number 78, you are selected to join the working staff and spend many graceful years moving cabins, delivering firewood, shuttling back and forth between the various shops and serving the community of Ross Lake Resort with style and dignity.

Legendary hull #78 with Adam Bloom at the helm.

But!

If you are shifty, fast, always looking for a party, never checking in with the office until the wee hours, always looking for a wake to jump or a doughnut to perform - there may be only a dismal and glum future for you!

Like hull number ............. 101!

Hull # 101 - the Hunter S. Thompson of hulls!
Notice that diabolical, grinning, pumpkin

in the background! What stories is it holding back?

What path will you follow young hulls?

The choice is yours!

Freshly Painted Blue Boats

2010-05-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

A new season and another batch of freshly painted boats await the guests arrival.

Winter Hibernation

2010-05-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Shortly after Halloween, when the resort is closed for the winter, the staff move the cabins and buildings out to the log boom, winterize the resort and hunker down to await the inevitable storms.

After this last burst of activity everyone can catch up on some well needed rest, go on their vacations and then slowly begin the process of preparing for the next summer opening.

It begins a period that is almost like hibernation, the pace slows, phones ring less, everyone lingers longer over that hot cup of coffee.

Ross Lake Resort follows a process that is typical to seasonal resorts around the world - except that everything is self contained on floating rafts.

After the holidays, the pace begins to quicken again as furniture is refinished, several new boats are built, and decking planks are replaced.

In April as the weather begins to warm with sunnier longer days, major outdoor projects start.

In May activity dramatically increases and the resort is returned to the summer location and work is non-stop until early November.

Here are some images of the resort in the winter location.

Rock Slide

2010-05-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Ross Lake Resort Announcement

2010-05-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

Ross Lake Resort is pleased to announce that they have begun transitioning to new 4 stroke, 9.9 horsepower Yamaha outboard motors.

Over the next two years the goal is to complete the transition of Ross Lake Resort boats to the new motors.

Le Bateau Bleu Detritus

2010-05-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

The agent for Tombio Barnettii is pleased to announce the sale on TomsList of another of Mr Barnettii's famous pieces of art.

In the manner of Andy Warhol and created in much the same way Chilhully creates his posters for glass pieces, Mr Barnettii has shaken the art world by creating Le Bateau Bleu Detritus.

Critics are hailing his innovative and daring combination and use of fabrics, plastique, and water colors.

Mr. Barnettii offers this starting at $17, 360.00.

thank you for your interest.

Richardsonius Balteaus - National Park Service Fisheries Study

2010-05-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

Every trip to Ross Lake Resort I end up meeting very interesting people. Artists, musicians, incredibly talented fishers, craftsmen, National Park Service People.

This trip was no different.

Meet Ashley Rawhouser of the National Park Service, Professor Leo Bodensteiner of Western Washington University, Professor Ruth Sofield of Western Washington University, and Carmen Welch who is working towards her Masters Degree at Western.

Carmen is studying Richardsonius Balteaus eating habits - this information could be useful to understand the effects on the native rainbow and bull trout populations.

For several days they set nets in various locations on the lake. The shiners were sized, categorized and documented.

Later Carmen will remove the otolith (ear bone) to more accurately age the samples.

Then she removes the guts of her sample group and documents if the shiners are eating insects, algae, or zooplankton.

Good luck on the study Carmen, we all wish you the best.

Meet Tom

2010-05-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

Tom Barnett, owner of Ross Lake Resort - one of the hardest working, nicest guys I have ever met.

I have a hard time describing what he does because it is nonstop every time I see him.

Yesterday for example:

I hike in and he runs the boat over to pick me up. We rush back so he can start planning wood, then he is running around getting parts, material and tools for everyone and he knows exactly where everything is.

He fixes one thing after another, finishes one job and is told the sink is backed up. Works on that for a while then heads back to the wood shop. On the way he picks up some cleaning solution and prepares the steel roof panels so they are ready for Adam and Mark Bloom who are installing the new roof on the gas shed.

Back to the wood shop to trim the sides of planks on the table. He rushes over to the outboard motor shop where Bruce is welding up brackets, back to the wood shop he starts putting together the new upholstery for one of the boats we all ride in.

Back to the kitchen with empty coffee cups we all left scattered around the docks.

All the while I'm asking him dumb questions. He answers graciously.

Over to the big shed by boat to pick up wood, then cutting apart old planks.

Its non stop especially this time of year.

Carol in the meantime is answering phones non-stop, picking and ordering hats, shirts, jackets, wine glasses, cooking lunch for all of us knuckleheads, preparing reservations, mailings, helping Bailey setup the laundry room, answering my dumb questions - graciously!

Tom - a plumber, mechanic, carpenter, upholsterer, electrician, woodwork, welder, manager, owner, worker bee - nonstop. Phew!

After all this - he cooks dinner for all of us as thanks.

Tenderloin steaks, fresh crab, cheese, potatoes, asparagus - steak oscar! All the while serving us fine wine, excellent whiskey. After dinner it's story time, jokes, laughter.

He and Carol are gracious hosts. They are thankful for their friends - and we know that.

And that's why he has so many decades long friends who want to hang out with him, do a little work, drink a little wine, and share a fine meal.

That is also one reason why so many of his guests keep coming back 10, 20, 30 years and more.

Meet Bruce

2010-05-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

This is Bruce! An excellent guy and a welding maniac. Also a pipefitter, carpenter - you name it he can probably do it!

He came up for the weekend with another buddy to visit staff member Lucas (remember the blogpost about the glass blower on staff named Lucas?) and help out Tom on several tasks.

Lucas told Bruce and his buddy if they were coming up they had better cook a really fine meal for him.

Bruce was welding brackets and numerous other items - then he went out and finished building the new float.

Tom is extremely thankful for the help you gave.

I wish I could have stayed one more night because they are going to put on a feast for the staff up at the resort. Prawns, huge sea scallops ........... doh!

Wait a minute? They welded, built a float, then they are cooking a really great dinner and Tom is the guest of honor...........

Who was it that got everyone to paint the fence??? Tom Sawyer? Tom Sawyer, Tom Barnett? WAIT A MINUTE!!!

This is starting to sound like a conspiracy!!! Tom, Tom?

Oh by the way - Lucas can't eat shellfish.

New Road From New Dock

2010-05-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post the National Park Service and Seattle City Light is doing a tremendous job on punching in a new road/trail that each of you will use when you come to Ross Lake Resort via the Seattle City Light tour boat.

Final details have not been completed but the new dock will be further west of the damaged dock and a new spur road is being built above up road from the tunnel that we all would ride through after loading the truck with guests and luggage.

Note: The tunnel was not covered in the rock slide - but it is very close to the edge of it and with all of the construction work, including blasting down loose or potentially dangerous portions of the cliff above the rockslide, it is not available for passage by the public.

Here are some of the images from today.

photos ©Paul K Anderson

Top of new spur road from a short distance above the tunnel looking down Diablo Lake towards the west.

Some of the equipment used to establish the foundation/base of the new road/trail

Not too far from the new location of the new dock.

The boat dock unload area for guests.

Rock Slide Top to Near Bottom

2010-05-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

The Old Dock Below Ross Dam

2010-05-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo I shot several hours ago of the old dock and ramp that we used to walk up.

National Park Service, Seattle City Light and the contractors are working extremely hard to get everything in place for a successful summer season.

Weekend Update

2010-05-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I have just spent the weekend visiting (and helping out where I could) Tom and Carol as they prepare the resort for the opening in just a few short weeks.

We were hoping to move the buildings from the winter locations into the summer configuration but alas the wind wouldn't cooperate.

Any wind over 4 miles per hour can seriously push the buildings around since the sides of the buildings (especially the Peaks) act just like sails on a sailboat.

Numerous tasks were completed by the staff and the 5 of us who came up to help out.

Over the next week I will write more about winter configuration, tasks performed, the rock slide and introduce you to an excellent group of people I met that were studying the red shiners that are in the lake.

New Listing on TomsList

2010-05-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

The agent for Tombio Barnettii, has just announced the offer to sell a major piece of art by this recently discovered, exciting artist.

Mr. Barnettii, head of the Pickett Range Collective of Individualistic Abstract Environmental Impactionistic Modern Art, has recently completed and unveiled his latest creation titled Pancaked in Blue.

Tombio Barnettii's mixed media, wall hanging sculpture is a fusion of steel, aluminum, plastic, glass, chrome, rubber, fir, and particularly nice gneiss from the Skagit pluton.

"It is an amalgamation of all I stand for - technology vs tradition, the force of nature battling the hand of man, the now vs the perpetuality and duality of the everlasting," said Mr.Barnettii.

It measures approximately 19 feet long, 8 feet wide, and about 2 feet thick. Weight is estimated at 4000 pounds.

Asking price $197,000.00