The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-06-15
LAKE LITTLE KNOWN
OFFER FINE FISHING
By Cal johnson

north to the streams that empty into
Lake Superior and Chequamegon bay
and the inland lakes that lies close to
Tits shores. Within a radius of 30
miles of Ashland are some of the
finest trout streams in the country
and little off the beaten path are
several lakes that offer you fishing
such as only the pionedr who first
invaded the north woods knew.
Nesting in the hills about five
miles northeast of Iron River is one
10 fthese gems, Long Lake. Jack
Ipines and sagebrush cover the hills
that surround it. The call of the
loon and the swish of the wind
Through the pines are the only
sounds you will hear, for you're in the
heart of the northern wilderness. Yet
this lake is within a half mile of
highway 10 and you can drive your
car down an old trail Within a few
yards of the shore line. The lake
| abounds in snall-mouthedbass. If
you want a day of real sport turn
your car down this trail and try
tussling with the willy "broze-backs."
Where Big Bass Bite
| About 40 miles southwest of Ash
land, following highway "a through
Bibon and Grandview, is Lake Nam
akagon. This lake is one of the
Largest lakes in northern Wisconsin.
1t is credited with having 100 miles
of shore line and millions of game
fish. Pickerel, wall-eyed pike, bass,
croppies, sunfish, perch and bullheads.
with an occasional northern pike are
among the species caught in this
lake. At Lake Woods, summer re-
Isort at the west end of Lake Mama
ikagon, is a mounted speciment of
northern pike that weighed over 80
pounds. The lake is deep and
rocky shore lines add to its beauty.
Some large black bass are caught
in this lake. / have caught them,
while trolling with spoon hook for
pike and pickerel, that weighted over
six pounds.
The Eau Claire lakes, about Is
miles west, are fine for the same
species of fish. More bass will pro-
badly be taken thdre.
Four miles southeast of Lake Nam
akagon, is a heavily wooded section,
lies Ghost Lake. With light car
you can motor within a mile of this
lake, winding your way down an old
Indian trail, barely visible from the
heavy growth of forms and blackberry
bushes. On the shore of Ghost
lake are the remains of old Indian
wigwams. Only the squawk of a
crane or the chatter of nearby
squirrel breaks the spooky at
mosphere that surrounds this body
of water. Possibly the name Ghost
lake gives one a feeling of mystery
and imagination. Muskellunge of
great size are caught in this lake.
Late fall fishing in this lake is very
good, but you must hiring your own
boata or canoe as none are available.
ideal for Casting
One of the best streams for big
| trout is Fish creek, which is really
mere of a river than a creek. This
stream, which empties into Che
quamegon bay only a mile from Ash
land, has an unlimited supply of
trout, as the bay offers fine spawning
beds, with plenty Of food, for the big
fellows that work their way to the
head of this stream each spring. Five
species Of trout inhabit these waters
Warden and steel head trout. Fish
creek is an ideal place fdr the fly
caster, as no brush hampers his move
ments, and there are plenty Of small
rapids and fast water with rocky
bottom that harbors the cunning
beauties. A professor" or "royal
coachman" with thrown hackle' for
trailer are good flies for this
stream. Minnows and angle-worms
come in for prominent part in the
early spring fishing. Some very
large trout are taken each year. It
| is common sight to see a fisherman
with trout or two that are too large
to get into his qreel. This year some
very good catches have been reported
of trout that weighed up to 6h
pounds.
Farther north of Ashland, back of
Bayfield, and Cornucopia, will be found
what some nqrthern fishermen call
the best trout streams in the coun-
try, namely the Flagg, Cranberry
and Browns Willows. While these
streams are not very good for the fly
caster, on account of the brushy
banks, they offer plenty of oppor-
Sunities for short casts, and haven
for the halt fisherman. MinnoWS and