Fishing Glacier National Park

August 6^th, 2016

Fishing Glacier National Park

The family decided to go on a hike in Glacier National Park. Glacier is billed as the “Crown of the Continent” and it is spectacular for scenery.  Glacier has many awesome hikes and I have done a lot of them. Plus, it is only a short 30 minute drive from our house.  My only requirement for any hike we do is that it has to have fish at the end…No fish no go!!  Let’s face it, walking just to walk is crazy! Without fish at the end you might as well just go to the gym!

So my wife comes up with Snyder Lake. Snyder Lake is a picture perfect lake.  Most people hike right past it on their way to Sperry Chalet and don’t even know it is there.  It supposedly had decent fishing for small native cutties so I said lets go.

Now in full disclosure, the naming of this lake is ok with me.  Why? Simple, Snyder Lake is a big effort to get to just to catch a few smaller fish.  8.7 miles round trip with almost 2,200 feet of elevation gain! That is almost a half mile up.  And what goes up must come down.  Further, the up is not the hardest part, especially with old knees. Coming down, while far less strenuous on your lungs is brutal on your knees.And trust me, the up is not easy, especially when you consider the elevation gain.

As per our usual process, Ben and I start off hiking together and Leanne and Taylor bring up the rear.  Ben and I can cover ground fairly quickly and Taylor likes to take her time.  So, Ben and I busted up to the lake ahead of them so I can get some fishing in. Crossing over an old wooden bridge we made our way to the back corner of the lake.  There we found a nice size rock that sloped downward towards the lake a bit but gave me an excellent chance to cast in three different directions. Perfect! Fish rising everywhere too!  I quickly rigged up and started casting.  Ben counted 10 casts and 7 fish landed. These are native cutts and beautiful fish.  Because the lake is covered with ice much longer than most lakes and the lake is glacial feed, which means low nutrients in the water, these fish do not get very big. But, they are a lot of fun to catch on my 3 weight fly rod.

If you recall, I mentioned a rock that sloped downward towards the lake.  As I caught fish, I hold them to remove the hook and then put them in the water.  Fish drip water! So, the next cast, fish on! And Andy slips right into the lake!  Let me mention, this is a glacial feed lake, COLD! Really COLD! But, being the true angler I am, I landed the fish!  Problem is, my boots are filled with water…socks soaked, and I still have to walk 4.3 miles downhill on a steep trail!

I quickly removed my boots and wring my socks as best I can.  We make a decision to stay an hour or so to see if I dry out some.  So, for the next little while we all take turns catching fish.  These fish do not see a lot of flies or lures so they readily take them.  Unfortunately, within about 45 minutes we start to hear thunder in the distance. Time to make tracks. I got two choices, walk out barefoot, or hike in wet gear and probably blister up badly. 

I take my time walking out but know that I will pay for it later. Sure enough, when we hit the car I have numerous blisters. I have to say, the scenery and fishing were well worth the pain and suffering that I had for the next week or so.  Did I mention that even chest deep in glacial feed, cold water, I held onto my rod! That is serious commitment!