Stress Free Zone

© Paul K. Anderson

Young Dylan, a cup of cocoa at his side, is working hard (LOL) to get rid of all his stress after spending the morning fishing with a good friend on Ross Lake - amidst the high alpine peaks, fresh air, forested slopes, and glaciers of North Cascades National Park.

Years ago I lived on an island in the salt marshes of southeastern Georgia. I was playing a round of golf by myself one morning and was going to tee off on one of the holes.

I saw another golfer standing near a pond up the fairway watching a young boy fishing with a long cane pole.  I approached the man to ask if I could play through or join him for the round and we started talking.

It turns out I recognized him, he was an owner of an eastern NFL team and one of the richest men in America.  He had probably everything that money could buy, but at that moment all he thought about was how much fun and how stress free a life that young boy was living. He told me he would give anything to be as stress free as the young fisherman.

And that is the power and allure that fishing has for many of us.  It brings back memories of time well spent with family and good friends, dads, uncles, cousins and favorite mentors. It brings back memories of adventures and special locations.

It helps remind us of what is important.

Time For Yourself

© Paul K. Anderson

© Paul K. Anderson

If you don't feel like fishing and want to get out and about there are many hikes to go on and many coves and inlets to explore around the lake.

Kathy, Nancy and Colleen are headed up the Ruby Arm to the creek for a picnic lunch and break from the kids and guys.

Just around the corner from where Ruby Creek enters the lake, many of our guests create cairns or temporary rock art from the numerous rocks and boulders that are exposed after the spring runoff subsides.

Mom and Son Returning from Fishing Near Cougar Island

If you want to photograph your friends, family or group, one location I highly recommend is the waters around Cougar Island shortly after the sun comes over the mountains to the east.  Depending on the direction you are shooting you can have mountains front lit, side lit, or flylines backlit like those shots of Doug Horton and his red line.

The photo "Morning Fishing Below Jack Mountain" also was shot from Cougar Island.  

Please remember if you go on Cougar Island to respect the privacy of the campers who have taken the time to obtain a permit to camp.

© Paul Anderson

Morning Fishing below Jack Mountain

© Paul Anderson

Whether you are fishing, exploring, kayaking, canoeing, hiking or just relaxing the scenery from so many parts of the lake is inspirational.

Departure Day!

Tom Barnett stops by the cabin to pick up the guests and their luggage for the start of the trip home.

It is a melancholy time for our family and the kids always say on the truck ride out "I can't wait to get back here next year!"

You have the choice of leaving on the morning boat and truck or in the afternoon - depending on your schedule.

Sometimes guests do arrive on the morning boat, but the cabin availability is subject to when the previous guests leave and to housekeeping's schedule. You would have to check with the office before you arrive.

If you are dying to head out fishing and/or exploring in one of our rental boats, canoes or kayaks, we can store your luggage and drop it at your cabin after it is prepared for you!

Devil's Creek

© Paul Anderson

Graveyard

Stacked on a float in the cove beyond the bunkhouse, are the remains of the resort's hand built boats. After years of service, still clutching the memories of kids catching their first fish, generations of families exploring up and down the lake, and old cronies embellishing their fishing stories, the boats are destined to be dismantled. 

And each winter, as the snow settles in against Sourdough, Jack, Colonial, Desolation, Hozomeen, Ruby and the other peaks surrounding Ross Lake, Will and Tom enter the wood shop, stoke the old stove and begin the process of building the next generation's boats.