Host: Nick Sherman
This Dusty outing is a single-day (Mon, April 20) outing that follows the Yakima Lower Canyon outing (ending April 19) and the Lenice Lake outing (Sunday, April 19). Like those other two, Dusty can be attended on its own or in addition to either or both of the preceding two outings.
Dusty requires a solid hike down to the east end of the lake, short but steep and rocky (approximately 0.6 miles with a 350’ descent). I recommend hiking poles. This is a rewarding trek, though, with rugged landscape and basalt cliffs lining both sides of the lake. Half the fun of Dusty Lake is the walk in, making it one of my favorite lakes. We plan to catch fish, but the trip is also rewarding for its stark scenery. Being east of the Cascades, it has been sunny every time I’ve been there.
Most participants will arrive Sunday night from Lenice Lake (45 minutes) or the Upper Yakima outing (1 hour, 20 minutes) in Quincy and will stay at a nearby hotel (not 4-star). Other members may come from Seattle (3 hours), though that is a long way for a day trip. It may be possible to camp at the trailhead (no services).
Dusty Lake is located in WDFW's Quincy Wildlife Area near the City of Quincy. It has fished very well over the past five years for rainbow trout, with occasional brown and tiger trout. Dusty Lake sits in a shallow canyon and receives less sunlight than other lakes early in the year. As a result, it remains colder longer, and fishing doesn't pick up until later in the spring. Access to Dusty Lake is walk-in only. The lake must be fished from a float tube or pontoon boat. Shoreline fishing is usually unproductive.
I fished Dusty in the second week of May, so this trip will be earlier. We’ll have to see how active the trout are. I’ve used a sinking line with a leech or a wooly bugger. Experiment with slow and fast retrieves. Use the same gear you used on Lenice.
Per WDFW: Selective Gear Rules are in effect.
There is an outhouse at the trailhead where you'll park but none at Dusty.
What to Bring:
- Food and water
- Float tube
- Washington state fishing license
- Raft, canoe, pontoon boat, kayak, or float tube
- 4-6 weight rods with floating line and/or sinking line.
- 3x, 4x, and maybe 5x tippet, depending on which flies you use
- Net
- Rain gear
- Sunglasses
- Camera
Special Notes on Getting There
-
Do NOT go to Dusty Lake trailhead - that is different and a very long hike.
- Do not be tempted to come into the trailhead from the south - that gravel road is usually locked. You have to swing around to come in from the north.
-
There may not be a cell phone service near the trailhead.
-
Have a picture of the map on your cell phone of the last part so you can find the final turn relative to Burke Lake.
Directions from Puget Sound
